Last updated at 10:57, Monday, 26 July 2010

A SICK dog is on death row because its owner can no longer afford its vets’ bills.

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Julie Bladon, of Allendale, with her Staffordshire bull terrier cross Malachi

Julie Bladon, of Allendale, has owned her Staffordshire bull terrier cross Malachi since it was a puppy.

She said: “Mally is a very loving dog and is very soft.

“He is great with people of all ages, even babies, and is good with all kinds of animals, from hamsters to horses.”

However, the dog suffers from epilepsy and has to undergo constant treatment and medication.

For the last six years, single mum Julie has been paying £50 a month for the drugs and another £50 every six months for a blood test.

She said: “It’s money I just don’t have and that’s why I can’t afford to keep him.”

She is now desperately looking for a new home for the gentle pooch – failure to find one means he will have to be put down.

Julie said: “Because of his condition, he could not go in a kennel on his own or with another dog in case he had a fit.

“He has to go to another home and we don’t have one to send him to.”

A generous donor has offered to pay for one more month of treatment for Mally, but after that, if no suitable home has been found, the dog will be put down.

Julie said: “My son is only three and has always had Mally around, so I don’t know how I will explain it all to him.

“We want him to go to a loving home. I know it’s a lot to ask when there are medical bills to pay, but I just don’t want to have him put to sleep.”

Although Mally’s does suffer fits, these are largely controlled by his medication.

Julie added: “Mally loves a run outdoors and it would be a dream come true for him, and us, if we could find him a home on a farm.”

First published at 09:41, Friday, 23 July 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk