A dangerous rottweiler that has injured three people including an elderly lady who lost the use of her arm is likely to be put down.

Andrew James Opie, 27, of Laburnum Close in Falmouth, is the owner of a rottweiler named Sabre that attacked a friend of his grandmother's who said that she was "shaken a bit like a doll" when the dog bit her on November 18.

Opie was given a contingent destruction order in 2016 after his dog attacked and injured a police officer and a student, which meant that he had to keep the dog muzzled and on a solid lead with a choke collar at all times in public or else the dog would be put down.

In the latest attack, Opie was at work and left Sabre at his grandmothers's house, and when a friend came to visit his grandmother the dog lost control and attacked the elderly lady.

Although the terms of the previous destruction order were not specifically breached, District Judge Diana Baker told Opie: "The law is very strict and it says the dog must be destroyed unless I am satisfied that it is not a danger."

The victim of the November attack attended the trial and told magistrates: "I can't use my hand or arm. They told me it wouldn't get better."

The court heard that her wrist was broken in two places as a result of the attack, and that it had exacerbated an existing medical condition. The prosecuting solicitor said: "She's not sure how she'll get over it."

The case was adjourned until May 22 after magistrates heard that Opie suffers from anxiety and a personality disorder, and that he would have to have a mental health assessment before the sentencing.

District Judge Diana Baker told the court that Opie was a good dog owner and that Sabre's problems were not because of his ownership but rather a result of trauma faced early in life.

She said: "There was a real attachment and he thought he could fix Sabre."