Love for dog has left us homeless

Mar 23 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

IT’S a wuff life being a pet owner... just ask Marion and William Davidson.

They claim they have been left homeless after turning down offers of accommodation which would have meant them being parted from their white German Shepherd dog, Storm.

The couple have been staying with separate relatives since they lost their privately-owned house in Whickham, Gateshead, when Marion was made redundant and William suffered a heart attack.

All are in Gateshead but former administration assistant Marion, 40, and Storm are staying with her mother in Swalwell.

Mechanic William, 44, is with his sister in Bensham and their daughter Carly, 20, is with an aunt in Dunston. Hopes of having the whole family together have been dashed.

Marion said three offers from Gateshead Housing Company and a housing association were turned down because they were unsuitable for Storm or in the wrong area.

She said: “I want the family to be together with our dog.

“The properties we were offered were flats, which would be unsuitable for a German Shepherd.

“We were offered flats in the Teams but it is a rotten area and I would not feel comfortable there.

“One place was in a tower block and they told us to get rid of the dog if we wanted to move in.”

Marion said Storm is helping William recover from his heart attack. She said: “He comes down to walk the dog every day.

“The hospital said it helps keep him in shape but Gateshead Housing is not listening.” And William said he would never be parted from 18-month- old Storm.

He said: “I thought it was disgusting when they said in some cases we couldn’t take him.

“We have had him since he was a pup and he is part of the family. He’s very important to me since I had the bad turn and he helps me exercise.”

A spokesman for the housing company said William’s health had been taken into account.

He said: “They were made three offers, including one with a housing association, and all three were refused by the family

“Our priority structure is about families and their needs, rather than pets.”

He said Marion and William had been offered a ground-floor flat which would have been suitable for Storm. He said: “They seem to have been offered properties that suit their needs. Three offers have been made when, in theory, only one should be made.

“The pet, unfortunately, is not part of the criteria.

“Our team will endeavour to help them as much as possible.”

The Gateshead Housing Company’s rules ban tenants in homes with shared entrances from keeping cats and dogs.