STAFF at Purbeck’s Margaret Green Animal Rescue have teamed up with a dog rescue organisation to launch the ‘Save a Staffie’ campaign.

Margaret Green, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has joined forces with Staffie and Stray Rescue to raise awareness of the plight of a growing number of abandoned Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Staffie and Stray Rescue founder Calli Byrne explained: “Sadly, the reputation of Staffies has been tarnished in recent years as they have been increasingly bred as status dogs.

“They became the dog of choice for people wanting a fearsome-looking dog because they look stocky and powerful.”

As a result, numbers of Staffordshire Bull Terriers being mistreated and abandoned have risen sharply in recent years.

Indeed, almost all the dogs rescued by Staffie and Stray Rescue are either Staffordshire Bull Terriers of Staffordshire Bull Terrier crosses. At Margaret Green Animal Rescue more than a fifth of the dogs they take in are also Staffies.

Helen Chittock, manager of Margaret Green Animal Rescue’s Lincoln Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre for Dogs, said: “We hope that by raising awareness of the wonderful qualities that these dogs possess, we can help re-educate people to think again about adopting one as a pet.

“Often Staffies are overlooked by adopters in favour of other ‘more popular’ breeds. We hope that by raising awareness of this loyal breed we can change public perceptions and see an increase in families coming forward to adopt.”

To get involved with the scheme, ‘Save a Staffie’ posters can be downloaded from margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk or staffieandstrayrescue .co.uk.

Calli said: “With basic training and exercise these dogs are a joy to own and they give you a constant excuse to smile.”

To adopt a dog call Margaret Green Animal Rescue on 01929 471 340 or Staffie and Stray Rescue on 07450 207 417.