A dog that had spent two years in a cage awaiting destruction will be allowed to live with new owner

A pitbull-type dog that spent two years caged without exercise on police orders has been saved from a death sentence and is now to be allowed the run of a field.

The case of Stella the dog caused a national outcry when it emerged that she had been held in a 0.9-metre x 2.8-metre (3ft x 9ft) cage in Devon.

Fearing that her confinement might have made her even more difficult to handle, a court ordered her to be destroyed.

Judge Graham Cottle reprieved the dog at Exeter crown court on Wednesday and approved the transfer to a new home. Sitting with two magistrates, he allowed an appeal by original owner Anthony Hastie against a destruction order made by Torbay magistrates.

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The court heard that over the past few weeks Stella has had the run of a converted stables at a farm in Tiverton, Devon, and exercised off the lead in a large secure field every day by a new carer, Caroline Pharaoh.

Cottle said: “We have to be satisfied that the arrangements are such that the dog does not pose a risk to public safety. We have heard from Caroline Pharaoh and we were all extremely impressed.

“She has looked after Stella for some six weeks and is willing to become the permanent keeper of the dog. She is fully aware of what is involved when she takes over ownership.

“She has stepped into this very difficult situation and it is very clear she is willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure the dog does not pose a risk to the public. From the description of the premises, it is ideal.”

The judge overturned the destruction order and Pharaoh will now have to apply for an exemption certificate to allow her to keep a dog which is of a dangerous breed. She will also have to fulfil conditions including muzzling the dog when it is in public and keeping it in secure surroundings.

Pharaoh was called to give evidence at the appeal hearing and told the judge she was surprised that Stella was not more traumatised by her two-year confinement.

She said: “Stella has not given me any problems at all. She walked with me to the secure stables and was quite excited. She is now in a stable with a large grass back garden which is all securely fenced in.

“First thing in the morning, I take her up to a securely fenced field. She gets to go out first and run on her own. She is not brilliant with other dogs but she has improved compared to how she was.

“I never let her display aggressive behaviour towards other dogs and if another dog is quiet, she is friendly. I have really bonded with Stella and she has responded really well to me. I have never had anything negative. I am very fond of her and feel I can give her a good quality of life.

“We have taken her into our home. I knew about her background and I was expecting a very different dog because she had been without exercise for so long. It is remarkable how she has responded.”

Stella was seized by police in a raid in Torquay in May 2014, in which they also found a cannabis-growing operation.

The dog remained without exercise at private kennels under the supervision of the police.