Scotland’s ‘saddest dog’ rehoused after spending most of his life in kennels

A STAFFORDSHIRE bull terrier said to be ‘Scotland’s saddest dog’ has been given a home after spending more than half its life in kennels.

• Staffordshire bull terrier dubbed ‘Scotland’s saddest dog’ housed after 15 months in dog kennels

• Dog had been snubbed in favour of “cute fluffy” dogs

• Retired police dog handler David Prokipczyn and his wife have taken in the dog

The two-year-old, named Scooby, had spent 15 months - more than half of its life - in kennels in the care of the Scottish SPCA.

Staff at the Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Drumoak, Banchory, said Scooby had been passed over for “cute fluffy” dogs, which had severely depressed the dog.

After a nationwide appeal was issued, David and Anne Prokipczyn made a 220 mile round trip from West Lothian to welcome Scooby into their home.

David, 60, a retired Lothian and Borders Police dog handler, said: “Anne and I have always had dogs- two ex-police German shepherds, boxers, a beagle, a Jack Russell terrier and a sniffer spaniel - but one of our favourites was our old brindle Staffy, Cassie.

“Looking at Scooby in the newspaper reminded us so much of her.

“We’ve been married 40 years and never been long without a dog. Our last was a great dog, an old drug sniffer spaniel called Buzz. We recovered loads together, but he died two years ago and the house has felt empty since.

“It just seemed like fate to read about Scooby.

“Staffies have been given a bad name, quite wrongly. Yobs torment them and encourage them to fight.

“He’s been a very sad dog. When he was put back in his kennel at the end of our visit, he hardly lifted his head and he looked miserable. But we knew we wanted him.”

The Prokipczyns were chosen from more than 200 people who answered the Scottish SPCA’s appeal to give Scooby a home.