A puppy rescued from war-torn Afghanistan and a life of brutal dog fighting has arrived at his new home at the Mayhew Animal Home in Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green.
Ten-month-old Bear-dog, who had his ears severed in Afghanistan soon after birth to prepare him for the dog-fighting trade, arrived safely at the Mayhew Animal Home in Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, yesterday.
He was rescued aged just four months by ex-Marine Sgt 'Penny' Farthing, who started the charity Nowzad Dogs for help animals in the Helmand province of Afghanistan after saving several dogs while on active service in 2006.
Bear-dog has spent the last six months in quarantine.
Sgt Farthing said: "I am extremely happy that Bear-dog has now completed his quarantine period and has arrived at The Mayhew.
"It is a great feeling to know that he is going to be looked after by our friends at the Mayhew, which I have no doubt is the best place for him to find a permanent happy home in the UK."
On hearing of the pup's plight from a Dutch soldier based in Afghanistan, the ex-soldier took action to get him to England, contacting the Mayhew for help to find his four-legged friend a caring owner.
Dog-fighting is rife in Afghanistan and there are no agencies in the country who are able to prevent the vicious blood sport.
Although Bear-dog has sustained injuries that link him to the cruel trade, he is lucky to have escaped relatively unscathed, a spokeswoman for the Mayhew said.
Sgt Farthing added: "It is sad that so many animals are affected by war, especially in Afghanistan.
"To be able to help just one is a reward in itself and a huge step to highlighting the undocumented suffering that animals in all war zones are subjected to."
Mayhew International worked with the soldier to secure the dog's safe passage out of the country.
Mayhew's International projects officer Christopher Sainsbury said: "Mayhew International is extremely pleased to again work with Sgt Farthing to help the animals in Afghanistan.
"We realise that re-homing all these animals in the UK is not the solution to the problem so will continue to fund and act abroad in order to tackle stray animal management and the associated welfare issues."
Go to www.mayhewinternational.org for more information about the centre.
