A DOG owner being sued over claims his pet bit off a leaflet deliverer's finger today spoke of his relief that the case has been dropped.

Mark Munroe, 44, owner of Jack Russell terrier Jack, was being sued by Labour Party activist Brian Hunter for £15,000.

Mr Hunter, 65, from Westerhope in Newcastle, claimed he was the victim of the dog, who severed his finger tip as he put his hand through Mr Munroe's letterbox.

The former councillor was delivering leaflets for the Labour Party during a by-election in Lemington Ward in November 2006.

Mr Munroe, a former painter and decorator, found the severed finger on his doormat alongside a Labour leaflet.

The married father-of-three always protested his pet's innocence and vowed to clear the dog's name.

Now he and the 12-year-old terrier are breathing a sigh of relief after being told Mr Hunter's law firm have applied to have the case discontinued.

Mr Munroe, of Lemington, said: "I can't believe after a number of cancelled court hearings, it seems to be finally over.

"I am absolutely ecstatic - when I found out there were tears of joy - and that is an understatement.

"I was just like a screaming banshee to be honest because I never felt such a pressure release in my entire life.

"Myself and my wife have been so worried over the months and years this has been dragging on and throughout the whole thing we just knew Jack hadn't done it.

"There was no way he could have - he hardly has any teeth left and those that he does are rotten."