A DOG which savaged an elderly man in the street, leaving him with severe injuries, has not been destroyed.

Police confirmed yesterday that the Japanese Akita dog, belonging to a woman in Hurworth, near Darlington, had not been put down but had been moved away from the area.

Inspector Billy Hugill, of Darlington police, said steps would be taken to speak to the victim, an 85-year-old man from Hurworth, once he is well enough.

"We can't do anything until we have spoken to him about the incident. We need to get all sides of the story," he said.

The pensioner, who is not being named, was attacked while talking to the dog's owner in the village on Thursday, May 6.

His son-in-law told The Northern Echo that the Akita dog jumped up at his father-in-law while on the lead and bit into both his arms.

The man was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital and the next day transferred to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, for a skin graft on his right arm.

Due to his age, the man remained in hospital for more than a week and is still recovering at home with the support of his 81-year-old wife and family.

The owner, who declined to comment on the attack, is believed to have taken the dog to live with friends away from the village.