A LURCHER dog which attacked police officers on two occasions within three months has avoided being destroyed following a ruling at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Thirty one year old Mark Turnbull of Berrymoss Court, Kelso, was found guilty after a trial of having a dog which was dangerously of control.

In Abbotslea, Kelso, on May 31, it jumped on officers and bit a constable on the hand to his injury.

On August 15 at Gala Water Retail Park in Galashiels it lunged towards police officers and bit a constable.

Sentence had been deferred to determine whether the dog should be put down.

But Sheriff Mungo Bovey ordered that the dog be neutered and muzzled in public and that Turnbull made alternative arrangements for the dog to be kept if he was elsewhere.

A Drug Treatment and Testing Order assessment has been ordered for Turnbull and the case will recall on March 2.