A stray dog who is full of joy and ‘just wants to feel loved’ has found a caring new forever home with the help of the Isle of Wight Council’s Public Realm Officer Team.
Django, a 6-year-old Staffordshire Terrier, was found tied up and alone outside the Friends of the Animals shop in Sandown on 12th November.
With the rallying support of the community, the council’s Public Realm Team took him into their care and then spent weeks looking for a new permanent place for him to stay.
After being supported by Friends of the Animals, Django has now found himself a loving new home.
A dog is considered to be a “stray” if it is found in a public place or on private land without the consent of the landowner or occupier and not under the control of any person.
Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning at the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“We all need to remember the promise we make when we welcome a dog into our homes, a promise to love and care for them for life.
“Django is a big, happy boy, full of joy. All he wants is to feel loved and enjoy great walks.
Article continues below this advertisement “We’re so grateful to everyone who commented on and shared our posts, offered support, and reached out to help Django find a loving new home.
“With support from the RSPCA, Friends of the Animals, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, and local vets, Django is now ready to thrive in his new home.”
Django has been rehomed days after the council’s Stray Dog Policy 2025 – 2028 was approved.
The council will ensure that food, shelter, and emergency veterinary care is provided, with stray dogs being housed in contracted kennels that meet welfare standards under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ model licence conditions.
Between 2021 and 2023, 35 stray dogs were reported on the Isle of Wight, with 10 being collected in the last 6 months.
Ms Dix said:
“The Isle of Wight Council will always stand by a dog’s side, and with Django it’s been great to see that we live in a such a strong community of dog lovers.”
Django was microchipped but his details were not up to date.
Under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, all dogs over eight weeks old must be microchipped and registered on an approved database, with details having to be kept up to date.
The Isle of Wight Council’s Stray Dog Policy is promoting responsible ownership by ensuring dog owners know it is their responsibility to make sure dogs are microchipped and details are kept up to date.
Surely if the dog was chipped , then they may be able to track the new owners from the people on the chip. Glad to see Django has now found a new forever home
Django unchained?
I do think people that abandoned there animals they are scum and I do we should do the same thing to owners who abandon animals
At least the previous owner abandoned their dog outside the Friends of the Animals so he could be looked after and not in the middle of the countryside or worse with little chance of saving. I doubt they wanted to let him go but felt they had no choice!!
Beautiful boy, so glad he has a new home for Christmas.
Well done FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS.
People should be vetted before being allowed to
own animals, too many numpties cannot look after
themselves, yet alone look after pets.
At least the previous owner abandoned their dog where he would be found quickly and cared for by the Friends of the Animals and not in the middle of nowhere like some people do. Also I’m sure they didn’t want to give up their pet that looks well cared for! Probably had no choice…..