RSPCA: Dumped pup is crowned nation's top dog

Monday, 19 November 2007 12:00 AM

A blind dog that was dumped when he was just five-months-old has been voted the nation's RSPCA Dog of the Year.

Bullmastiff Oliver fought off stiff competition from five other rescue dogs in the RSPCA Dog of the Year final stealing an impressive 23 per cent of people's votes.

Oliver was thrown out onto the street by an unscrupulous dog breeder when he was a puppy simply because he had an eye infection. He was found by a dog warden just before Christmas 2005 - thin, distressed and in severe pain from his eye.

Bullmastiff Rescue came to his aid but despite urgent veterinary treatment the infection spread and Oliver ended up losing his sight, and one of his eyes was actually removed. But his luck changed when, after reading his distressing story in the local paper, Julie Harkess and her family decided to give him a chance of happiness and offer him a home.

Now aged two-years, Oliver has overcome his disability and lives a fulfilling life with the Harkess family and their other dog Simba. He even has a special artificial implant in his one remaining eye to give him a normal appearance, even though he cannot actually see through it.

Julie, 38, said: "I can't believe that Oliver has won the competition! He's a true inspiration and clearly the rest of the country think he is too. We're so proud of him. Oliver has been through so much but he's made such good progress that we forget he's blind. No matter how down we might feel Oliver always lifts our spirits.

"I just can't believe that he lost his eyesight simply because his previous owner didn't want to spend the money on vet's fees. He's a huge dog now, weighing 50 kilos, and he's a huge part of our family. He really deserves to be the RSPCA's Dog of the Year."

Commenting on his incredible story of triumph over adversity RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans said:

"All of the finalists are winners but Oliver's story particularly captured the heart of the nation. He had such a tough start to life but despite everything he's been through - even losing his eyesight - he's now such a happy dog. Oliver really does deserve to be the RSPCA's Dog of the Year.

"Over 17,000 dogs are rehomed from the RSPCA each year and Dog of the Year is a chance for dogs like Oliver, who were once unwanted, to really show just what fun and loving pets rescue dogs can make."

Sarah Alexander from Dog of the Year sponsor Butcher's Pet Care said: "We are delighted that Oliver is the winner - he's got so much character and is a great example of what joy rescue dogs can bring to their owners.

"At Butcher's Pet Care we believe very strongly in ensuring that dogs lead a fit and healthy life, which is why we are delighted to be working with such a worthwhile charity like the RSPCA. The Dog of the Year competition is a great way to recognise the hardship many dogs have to go through before they find a happy and secure home. We hope that our support can help make a difference."

Oliver will receive a whole host of prizes including a year's supply of dog food from Butcher's Pet Care, RSPCA pet insurance cover for one year and he will get to star on the front cover of leading dog magazine Dogs Today, plus much more.

To arrange interviews with Julie Harkess or photography please contact Julie on 0191 584 9958 or 07947806807.

For more information about RSPCA Dog of the Year or for an RSPCA spokesperson please contact the RSPCA press office on 0300 123 0244/0288.

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Notes to editors:

• RSPCA Dog of the Year is the UK's largest national competition exclusively for rescue dogs (from any organisation), both crossbreeds and pedigrees, of all ages, shapes and sizes.

• The five national runners up were:
  Joss (South and South West regional winner) secured second place in the final. Crossbreed Joss was an unwanted Christmas present, thrown off a bridge on to rocks by his heartless owners. Joss now aged 11 years lives with the Blythe family in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Sweet Pea (South East regional winner) secured third place. Yorkshire terrier Sweet Pea was rescued from a puppy farm where she was living with 203 other dogs in appalling conditions. She now lives with Melanie and Charlie Reid in St Leonards, East Sussex.

Aiden (Wales and West regional winner) came fourth - springer spaniel Aiden suffered horrific injuries after being left tied up by a nylon rope while her owners went on holiday. Aged three years she now lives with Bonnie Williams from Brierley Hill, Birmingham.

Sky (North West regional winner) came fifth - husky-alsation cross Sky was abandoned when he was four months old in Macclesfield. He now lives with police dog handler Keeley Powles of Northwich, Cheshire.

Minty (East regional winner) was placed sixth - collie-pointer cross Minty was dumped in a bag with three other pups when he was just two weeks old. He now lives with Melanie Adkins from Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

• How did the competition work?

There were three stages to the competition:

1. Heats: More than 50 heats were held nationwide. Winners were chosen for their general condition, overall appearance and character.
2. Regional Final: All first-placed heat winners entered the on-line regional final in September. Photos and stories of all heat winners featured on a special website. Visitors to the site were able to vote for their favourite dog in six different regions - North East, North West, East, South East, South and South West, and Wales and West. The six with the most votes were announced regional RSPCA Dog of the Year winners and secured a place in the final.
3. Grand Final: The six regional winners battled it out in the final which ran in the Sunday Express newspaper throughout October and November. Readers voted for the dog they most wanted to be crowned the nation's RSPCA Dog of the Year.

• For information on rehoming an animal from the RSPCA visit www.rspca.org.uk

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