AN ANIMAL-loving couple fear for the life of a stray dog who could not find any room at the kennels after Christmas.

John William Cartwright and his wife Phylis are convinced a distraught owner is searching for the well-cared for Border Collie they found tied up for hours outside Trinity Street railway station last Wednesday.

But they have been forced to place the dog with a rescue organisation outside Bolton which they have since been told only keeps strays for about seven days.

The desperate couple, of Saxby Avenue, Bromley Cross, say they were forced to put her in the dogs home at Harpurhey in Manchester because both the Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter and the police pound were full of strays.

Heartless

As reported in the BEN, the Bolton Animal Shelter has been coping with its most hectic period ever and claim the crisis has been partly caused by heartless people turning out their old dogs simply so that they could buy a puppy for Christmas.

"They were both over-run and we could not take her in because we already have dogs of our own," said John.

"But I have since been told that Manchester is not like Bolton and the dogs can be put down after seven days.

"She is such a beautiful, friendly dog - well fed, well groomed with an expensive collar and lead - I'm sure someone will be looking for her.

"Maybe she was stolen and later tied up outside the railway station.

"I'm sure there is a simple explanation about why she was there."

If you recognise the collie, nicknamed Trinity, you can contact the dogs home on 0161-205 2874 or the couple on 01204 300364.

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