RSPCA: 'Naughty but nice' Alfie is nation's top dog

Monday, 17 November 2008 12:00 AM

A young dog from the north-east of England, who turned prematurely grey after being kept in a pen and neglected by his original owners, has been voted the nation's RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year.

After winning his way through his local heat, Alfie, a three-year-old Newfoundland, went on to win his regional heat (voted for on the RSPCA website) and then claimed a triumphant 29% of the vote from Sunday Express readers in the Grand Final during November.

Proud owner Julia Marsh-Pitt, from Chester-le-Street, said: ""This is really lovely news, something positive to concentrate on. All I've had is bad news for weeks and this is something to really lift me. Everything about Alfie has been positive."

Julia suffers from a rare neurological condition called Cluster Headache, which gives her regular debilitating bouts of prolonged illness. She is currently awaiting brain surgery, but she credits Alfie with helping her cope with the illness - especially on her darkest days.

"Alfie's a real character - he knows when to be good and when to be naughty! I wouldn't want him to be good all the time because he wouldn't have his character."

But that streak of naughtiness actually ended in Alfie making it snow in the summer - but Julia manages to keep a big smile on her face.

"When he chewed my sun lounger, there were bits of foam covering every piece of the garden. I looked out and thought it had been snowing...in July! He's had my M&S cushions and my Bertie shoes!"

"I would really like this story to encourage people to think about rehoming - there are lots of dogs that need new homes - especially Newfoundlands. And, if I can do it with all my ailments, then anyone can!"

Commenting on Alfie's incredible story of triumph over adversity, RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion John Rolls said: "The great British public have voted Alfie the nation's top dog and he really deserves the accolade. The gentle giant is a fabulous example of the loving, caring companions rescue dogs can make.

"There are thousands of dogs waiting for a second chance at rescue centres around the country, so please visit your local centre first if you are considering adding an animal to your family. Visit www.rspca.org.uk for details."

Alfie will receive a whole host of prizes including RSPCA pet insurance cover for one year, a front cover shoot for glossy magazine Dogs Today, an original pet portrait by animal artist Michelle Murray and an engraved cut-glass trophy.

But probably the best prize Alfie will get is even more fuss and attention from his family and friends. After all, that's all he ever really wanted!

To arrange interviews with Julia Mash-Pitt or photography, please contact her direct on 0191-389- 3824 or 07957-939281.

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

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Notes to editors:

• RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year is the UK's largest national competition exclusively for rescue dogs (from any organisation); both crossbreeds and pedigrees.

• The five national runners up were:

Sally (North West regional winner) was in second place with 23% of the public vote. She's a big, loveable, bedraggled crossbreed, rehomed from the RSPCA Southport Animal Home. Sally now does great work as a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog.

Lucky (South East regional winner) was placed third with 18% of the public vote. Lucky was rescued as a stray puppy barely surviving in Greece. After a lot of work by her new owners, she is now a happy, confident and loving dog.

Molly (South and South West regional winner) came in fourth with 17% of the public vote. Molly's a five-year-old Rottweiller who was abandoned and left to die before she was rescued. She now lives with her new owners in Devon.

Donie (East regional winner) was in fifth place with 7% of the public vote. He's a retired racing greyhound who's career was all washed up by the age of three and unwanted. Donie's new owners now describe him as the "perfect companion".

Mikka (Wales and West regional winner) was placed sixth with 6% of the public vote. He's a three-year-old Lurcher who was found close to death and abandoned in a park. A local vet saved his life and both he and his new owners are eternally grateful.

• How did the competition work?

There were three stages to the competition:

1. Heats: 70 heats were held nationwide. Winners were chosen for their general condition 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 the RSPCA's website. Visitors to the site were able to vote for their favourite dog in six different regions - the North East, North West, East, South East, South and South West, and Wales and West. The six animals in each region 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 RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year final which ran in the Sunday Express newspaper during the first two weeks of November. Readers voted by phone or text for the dog they most wanted to be crowned RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year.

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

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 0870 0555500 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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