Staffie kept at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home could be 'UK's unluckiest dog'

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier could be the UK's unluckiest dog, as he has spend around five years waiting to be adopted from an Edinburgh shelter.

Star has spent 1,800 days at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, the majority of his seven-year life.

His tenure is more than three times as long as Hector the lurcher in Devon, who was named "Britain's loneliest dog" , who has been in a shelter for 500 days.

Staff in Edinburgh now want to find Star a forever home.

Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley recently met star and has also appealed for someone to adopt the unlucky pooch, offering a signed shirt for anyone who adopts star.

He was first admitted to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home in July 2013, when he was found by police officers, tied up behind a derelict building.

Star showed signs of significant neglect, being greatly underweight and having nails so long they curled underneath the pad of his paw.

It was clear to staff that this dog was lucky to be alive, so they named him their "lucky" Star.

While the Home’s staff worked closely with Star to help him recover from his physical ailments, his mental scars from neglect took a little longer.

Star displayed nervous behaviour when he was out and about, particularly around other dogs and children.

More than five years later, Star has progressed in leaps and bounds.

He has learned to walk politely on a harness and lead, to play fetch, sit on command and maintain eye contact when given the ‘watch-me’ instruction.

Staff have been working on his confidence around other dogs, so he needs an experienced owner with the time to continue his behavioural training.

The Home’s staff are now desperate for Star to get a second chance at life so they can say goodbye to their best-known and much-loved resident.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Kennel Manager, Wendy Mullen, said: "Star is such an intelligent, affectionate and playful boy, who has a lot of love to give, so it breaks our hearts that he keeps getting overlooked.

“For many years, our staff have been working hard to find him a new family, because we know what an amazing companion this loveable lad will make for the right owner.

"He is so deserving of a second chance to feel the love and security only a forever home can provide. Our staff take such good care of every animal that comes through our doors, but a shelter is no place to grow up.”

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