A LITTLE dog pulls anxiously on its lead as the tide approaches. Blind and deaf, the hapless creature shivers and whimpers, sensing approaching death.

Heartless owners have deliberately tied the Yorkshire terrier to the sea wall at Redcar knowing it will drown and trouble them no more. And even when rescued, it is clear from the pet's condition that the poor dog has been kept caged for much of its life.

"All she wanted to do was walk round in small circles," says Amanda Pearson, North-East and North Yorkshire area rescuer for the breed. "It was obviously from a puppy farm but at least it lived a year and before it died would jump on its new owners lap to be stroked."

The sad tale is one of countless Amanda has about the breed, a real terrier so often bought as a toy.

Another Yorkie was found in a shocking state in a back lane in Middlesbrough. Aged about 15 it had been dumped on the streets and was so thin its legs were about as thick as a human little finger. Too far gone, the dog had to be put to sleep.

Yorkshire Terrier Club member Joan Young, of Darlington, has other horror stories; she once took a Yorkie in which had been found in a terrible state, and was attempting to bathe the animal when it died. She wrapped it in a blanket and left it in the conservatory telling her husband she would remove it on her return from town. "When I got back the blanket was empty and the dog was up running around. We called him Lazarus," she says.

More than 50 Yorkies a year are dumped in the region by callous owners who no longer want them. In the worst period on record, eight dogs had to be taken into care in a single week.

It's a problem which is getting worse as more people turn to breeding the animal simply for cash. In 1990, for instance, there were 25,000 Yorkies registered with the Kennel Club, and therefore protected by its stringent rules and regulations. Last year this figure fell to just 8,000, yet it is believed there are still as many of the dogs around.

With so many in circulation and the potential for abuse increased, the Yorkshire Terrier Club's rescue and rehoming unit is finding more and more need to locate temporary and permanent homes for the abandoned animals.

Recently someone tied four of the dogs to Amanda's car; on other occasions, she receives telephone calls from people warning they will have the terriers destroyed unless she collects them.

Joan says: "People get Yorkies for young children as live toys or for their old mums thinking they are soft and cuddly. But they are a proper dog, a real terrier."

Many families abandon the Yorkies when they tire of looking after them. Their coats, for instance, don't shed and have to be clipped regularly and groomed daily. They also need walking and plenty of love and affection.

Divorce and deaths often lead to the animals needing new homes and the change of scene can leave dogs traumatised.

So new or foster owners need to have patience. The animals will have been de-fleaed and checked over by the vet by the time they go out. But they are a specialised dog, need a lot of grooming and suffer from the cold.

New owners are closely vetted and are visited at home. They also have to agree not to let the dogs breed.

Foster parents can expect to keep the dogs for less than a week before they are sent to a permanent home, found by a team of volunteers.

Funding is a major problem. The dogs are not sold but a minimum donation of £30 from the new permanent owners is asked for to go towards the vet's bill

"Most of all people need to be very caring and understanding," says Amanda, of Osmotherley, near Northallerton. "Most of the dogs are severely traumatised and often physically in a mess. Some have to be house trained again for their new environment."

Do that and the dogs have a lot to give, Joan and Amanda agree. They are forgiving and in time come to trust humans again.

"They give so much love," says Amanda. "They deserve to be given a chance," adds Joan.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Anyone wanting to provide a Yorkshire terrier a permanent or temporary home, or make a donation towards the cost of running the service, can contact Amanda on (01609) 883207.

Find out more about the Animal Watch campaign online at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/

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