A dog that savaged a commuter at Kentish Town West station was given a stay of execution after the owner’s father stepped in to save the pet.

The pitbull-type dog, called Biscuit, sunk its teeth into a man’s foot, breaking the commuter’s toe and ripping off a chunk of flesh.

The pet dog had not been on a leash nor was it muzzled at the time of the attack on August 20 last year.

Owner Samuel Wright, who is being held at Highgate Mental Health Centre after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act, pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court to possession of a dog dangerously out of control in public.

Biscuit had looked destined to be put down until Wright’s father, Alan Wright, offered to take care of the dog today (February 18).

Prosecutor Adrian Fleming said: “The dad has interacted well with the dog and the authorities are satisfied he is an appropriate person to have custody of the animal.”

Judge Steven Gasztowicz QC made an order for the dog to be transferred into Wright’s father’s care under certain conditions.

The animal is not allowed near any London railway stations, it must be on a lead and muzzled while in public, and Mr Wright senior has to undergo six training sessions in dog handling.

The case was adjourned until May 9 while further psychiatric reports are carried out.

Wright, from Harben Road in Swiss Cottage, is expected to be sentenced on that date or be ordered to undergo further treatment.