THE fate of a Southampton family’s dog will be decided today.

Southampton magistrates heard how Keizer, a three-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier owned by Michaela Ryves, was responsible for a number of attacks on other dogs.

As previously reported, Ms Ryves, of Bassett Green Drive, made a heartfelt plea for Keizer to be spared being put down after magistrates raised concerns over its behaviour towards other dogs.

Southampton magistrates said they were considering ordering that the dog be put down in light of the evidence before them. It included how despite an order forbidding the dog to be let out of the house without a muzzle or on a lead, Keizer had escaped from the back garden and attacked other dogs.

They adjourned the case on Friday to allow the mother-of-five, who is heavily pregnant, to plead her case in court today .