A TWO-YEAR-OLD Rottweiler has finally been adopted after an 18-month search for a new owner.

Tye was taken into the Woodland Kennels in Bridport after he was abandoned by his owners.

Despite the best efforts of the re- homing centre, the Rottweiler went unchosen by prospective owners for months on end and ended up being at the kennels longer than any other dog.

Following an appeal in the Echo Michael Thomas went to visit Tye and has now welcomed him into his family home in Weymouth.

Mr Thomas, 46, of Douglas Road, Weymouth, is an experienced Rottweiler owner and had re-homed another of the breed 12 years ago. He said: “I saw Tye in the paper and I wasn’t even looking for a dog but I saw him and couldn’t resist.

“After a few visits where my daughter and I took Tye for a walk I realised that he was the one for me.”

After working as a postman for 19-years Michael said that he got to know the different temperament of certain dogs and became a fan of Rottweilers.

Michael said Tye was a friendly, loyal dog who was very loving to him and his seven-year-old daughter Holly.

“He has fitted in amazingly considering he was not used to having a home and he is very good with my daughter,” he said.

“More needs to be done to stop so many dogs becoming abandoned and strayed – for example there should be dog licences to see who is keeping dogs.”

Owner of the re-homing centre Mary Bull said: “We had Tye for such a long time and we became extremely fond of him.

“In the end we just felt that we couldn’t pass him off to another dog shelter so it was to see him go to a good home where the owner has rescue experience and could understand the needs of the dog.

“It was such a relief after all this time although we do miss him.”

This year the Woodland Kennels have re-homed 15 dogs and after an appeal for funds in the Echo six weeks ago more than £500 has been sent in by readers to help fund the charity.

Mrs Bull said: “Thanks to the last article we have had several donations which has boosted our funds so we send our thanks to your kind readers – it will make a real difference to the dogs we care for.”

In the last month the West Dorset branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has offered to fund the vaccination and neutering of all stray dogs at the Woodlands Kennels.

Mrs Bull added: “This will free up our own funds to cover other surgical procedures and micro-chipping.

“It means we have been able to have x-rays and pay for surgery.”