An outhouse near Mo’s home was laden with rat poison, to deter any vermin from the area. Despite this being a useful tool to maintain the location’s cleanliness, Mo was intrigued by the poison and made the bad decision to eat some. Following consumption, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s health began to languish rapidly, leaving Debbie to frantically call for help from a close friend.

Mo underwent some tests to determine how badly the rat poison had affected her and the results displayed a decrease of red blood cells. Mo’s level of red blood cells was almost half the amount it should have been, proving that it was either a blood transfusion or death for the poor dog. An unfortunate discovery that the nearest blood bank was over 200 miles from their current location meant that Debbie’s friend Catherine Butler gave a helping hand, in the shape of her dog.

Catherine’s pet dog Mollie, a Newfoundland, had a pint of blood taken and transfused into the Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s body. It was this swift decision that led to Mo’s health improving. Following the ordeal, Mo returned home within two days. This exceptional result would not have been possible should Mo have not had a transfusion within 24 hours.

The bull terrier is said to be around two years old and appeared to be considerably underweight when she was discovered. The veterinary surgeon said the dog seemed to have been dumped and was in a poor condition, making it very lucky that she was found at the particular time.

Sores were uncovered on the legs of the bull terrier and were treated with a form of antibiotics, which have allowed the sores to heal well. A saddening part of the story is the dog showed signs of recently giving birth; making it clear that the dog may have been bred for her pups and then dumped by the dog breeder.

It seems despicable that someone could leave a dog in such a state, but it is luck that brought the dog to Trentham, so she could be looked after properly. At the current time, the bull terrier, who has been named ‘little Staffy’, will be looked after at the veterinary centre where she is being fed well for a fast recovery. Now all that awaits is for her to find a new, caring owner.

The dog has now been renamed Bobby after a policeman who rescued him at 3am from his dire circumstances just outside of the Thornberry Animal Sanctuary, in North Anston, South Yorkshire.

Bobby is currently at the sanctuary waiting to find a friendly new home and Sarah Froggat, who helps out there, said:

“This is the third time we have found dogs dumped this way in as many weeks, but this was the first in these circumstances for a long time. The fear in the mind of that little dog that night is upsetting for everyone who cares.”

Sarah continued:

“It was cold, wet and windy when this little dog’s owners decided they didn’t want him anymore.”

“They took him out in the car, tied him up and drove away.”

“Fortunately the police drive around fairly regularly and he was spotted by officers passing the sanctuary.”

“They untied him and took him to the safety of the local police station, and they then got in touch with our night manager.”

“By 4.30am, the frightened little dog was tucked up in a warm kennel with treats and fresh water, starting the road to recovery and a loving new home.”

The sad news is that Bobby is not the only dog to be left abandoned in this way. There are many dogs in his position, being homed in places such as the sanctuary, hoping to find warm and loving homes at this time of the year.

Administration manager Nick McCoy found the female bull terrier on the morning of Saturday November 19th. The Staff at Wickhamford re-homing centre have named the female bull terrier Pudding and hope to have her re-homed before Christmas.

Pudding is the latest of an increasing number of bull breed dogs that have been handed over to the centre during this year. This is due to many people opting for status dogs before realising they are not able to take care of them properly.

Mr McCoy said:

“In the current climate we are seeing more and more people handing over dogs because they can no longer afford to keep them,

“However, to see this so near to Christmas is even more heart breaking.

“At Evesham, as with many of our other centres, many dogs are abandoned around the festive season often with just a note attached to their collar, or in this case a box of food.”

The centre is looking to piece together more information about Pudding’s life, as Mr McCoy says she is an extremely friendly dog:

“Pudding is a lovely young dog and although she is a bit timid, which is understandable given how she arrived at the centre, you can already see that she is very friendly and given time to get to know you she is very affectionate,

“She needs an active home that can help her shift some of her extra weight and has the time to help her settle.

“We are appealing for anyone that knows anything about her to come forward and help piece together her history before she joins the other 60 or more dogs at the centre hoping their dreams of a new home will come true.”

If you have any information, or feel you can offer Pudding, or any of the other dogs, a new and friendly home, please get in touch with Dogs Trust Evesham on 01386 830 613 or visit their website.

BBC Radio Kent has reported that, according to figures that it has obtained, more than a third of all dogs taken by council wardens in the Medway region were Staffordshire bull terriers; out if 882 dogs brought in, 350 were of that breed.

In Gravesham, this figure rose to 50 per cent, but in Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate, it rocketed to 90 per cent.

Tim Oxley, of Swale Borough Council’s animal control team, commented that their figures were closer to 40 per cent. Asked what he thought was the cause of the high numbers of abandoned Staffordshire bull terriers, he commented:

“It is difficult to put your finger on a reason.”

“We have got the Bill Sykes and Bullseye syndrome of people walking around with this hard-looking dog, which I believe is false.”

“A Staffie is actually a really friendly person-loving dog but they look the business.”

He suspects that people were not aware of how expensive it is to keep a dog, and that they dumped them once that became apparent.

The branch of Battersea Dog’s Home has many of the dogs that have been picked up in Kent. One dog had been left to fend for itself by a family living in a high rise block of flats, who claimed that they could not walk it.

The home’s director, Laura Jenkins, said:

“We have seen the bull breed type becoming increasingly popular as a status breed, which sets off the owner’s image.”

“But people tend to have it for the wrong reasons.”

“We do a lot of work with dogs being passed on through social networks. You really don’t want to go to the internet or a bloke in the pub.”

However, an Australian man recently re-enacted the Great Escape when he busted his dog out of doggie prison, and fled with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, going on the run.

The dog, named Max, was on death row at the time after being ordered destroyed for mauling a neighbour’s dog, but his owner, Ronnie Gilbertson (a former champion boxer) couldn’t bear to think of his dog being put down. During a visit where he was expected to say his goodbyes to the dog, Ronnie helped the dog escape and went on the run – leaving his family behind!

Ronnie was captured some time later, and has since been imprisoned for contempt of court. The dog, Max, has been put to sleep.

Joana Fuller, Ronnie’s defence lawyer, told the Australian court:

“He could not bear the thought of returning Max to custody.”

“His actions were motivated out of a concern for his dog and only a concern for his dog’s welfare and nothing else. His love of his dog clouded his decision-making and judgment.”

Georgie, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, was born a hermaphrodite – in other words, having both male and female reproductive organs. Her rare condition meant that finding a new home for her was tough, according to Manchester Dog’s Home.

Manager of the home, Lisa Graham, commented:

“Georgie received a lot of interest but when people found out she had both male and female organs they backed away.”

Now, Georgie has had her male parts removed in an operation paid for by the home, which is located in Harpurhey, but the operation took place sooner than they anticipated.

They advised potential owners that they would fund the operation once she was comfortable in a new home,

Mrs Graham explained:

“We told people we were happy to fund it but they still weren’t interested. She is a very soft and sweet dog and would make a lovely pet.”

Of all the cases of hermaphroditism in dogs, it is estimated that only a quarter are true hermaphrodites like Georgie. Sometimes, the physical features of the condition are not immediately obvious – on many occasions, the dog is never diagnosed and lives a life with few associated problems.

Thankfully, Georgie is well on the road to recovery after her operation.

Hermaphrodite dogs, especially cross breed ones, are incredibly rare – the veterinarian surgeon who performed the procedure, Mike Venables, said that he had only ever seen one other similar case in over 30 years of practising.

Alfie, at just four years of age, attacked the armed intruders when they broke into his family’s home in Winstanley, Wigan. The armed intruders got more than they bargained for when they came barging into the home, waving guns around, as the dog immediately went for one of them, biting him in the leg and refusing to let go. The armed man then hit the dog several times with the butt of his gun, before 22 year old Carly attempted to help Alfie. She herself was clubbed over the head for her troubles, as one of the intruders knocked her to the floor, causing a gash in her head.

This merely spurred Alfie on as he bit harder into the man’s leg, causing him and his fellow robbers to flee. Not content with dispatching the armed men, the dog then gave chase and brought one of the men down in the garden, dragging him across the lawn. The armed man dropped his gun and wrestled with the very angry dog, before managing to escape and flee.

Carly commented on the moment the men entered her house and her dog attacked them:

“As soon as I saw them hit him I just reacted and wanted to help him.”

“Alfie’s usually really soft, but he wouldn’t let him get away. He was brilliant and forced him to drop the gun.”

“My head’s OK now, it’s just a bit sore. He hit it quite hard.”

Police in Wigan are appealing for information concerning the attempted robbery, which occurred on Friday 10th September at 10:30pm.

We received an email this week from Lyndsey from Oxfordshire, who is looking for her lost dog. Here is what Lyndsey said – maybe you could help her?

My dog went missing on 25th March from Oxfordshire. We have had no sightings, no news, and after all this time we are certain someone has him and are trying to keep him.

He is about 20 months old, dark brindle, small bit of white fur on back right paw. He isn’t neutered and is very friendly. We believe he is microchipped, however there is a chance he isn’t.

He has a Facebook page which has over 3,000 members, lots of pics and contact information. He has been in the Oxford Mail (paid advertisement), and they have done a story on him, he was mentioned on the radio once, but no-one else will help us!!

We are desperate to get him back home, and are trying to advertise him everywhere possible.

He has been gone for so long! He’s on doglost, and just about all websites, and he has a crime reference with the Police.

If you can help, please contact Lyndsey on 07769 185 413.

31 year old Daniel Reaney, who was due to be sentenced last week for burglary, but he appealed to the judge from his prison cell, where he was awaiting sentencing, stating that he needed to look after his Staffordshire Bull Terier named Vinnie. His dog is called Vinnie, after Vinnie Jones – the former Wimbledon footballer turned movie star.

Daniel Reaney pleaded with the judge, saying:

He’s lovely, he’s like a child to me. I’ve had to get someone to go in to feed him but I need to sort something out for him. I know I’ll probably be sent to prison on Friday. I’ve turned my life around. I’ve been doing voluntary work and doing better than I’ve ever done.

Paul Spratt, the prosecutor, opposed the bail but he was overruled by the judge, who stated:

I’m breaking all the conventions but I’m going to grant you bail until Friday.

If you don’t turn up I will send you to prison for breaching bail. But I believe you will be here.

The Conservative’s candidate for Romford in last week’s general election, Andrew Rosindell, criticised the decision:

This sets a very dangerous precedent if judges start freeing criminals so that they can look after their pets. It’s a very silly move. The welfare of animals is important but this can’t be a reason for criminals to be released from jail.

Daniel Reaney was very pleased with the decision though, as no doubt was Vinnie also. Daniel commented:

I’m grateful to the court for giving me time to make arrangements for Vinnie.