Last-ditch bid to trace owners of UK dog on Death Row in France

A search has been launched for the owners of a dog from the UK which is now on “Death Row” in France.

Poppy, a black Patterdale terrier cross, was microchipped in Bristol but has ended up alone on the streets of Toulouse.

She will be put down unless her owners are found.

In 2002 Poppy was registered as belonging to the Barton family of Park Road, Bristol, but so far all inquiries to find them have failed.

Lynn Headford, a volunteer at DogLost, an online database for lost dogs, said: “Poppy was just found wandering the streets in Toulouse.

“She’s quite an old dog and, although she was taken into a rescue centre, they have so many dogs there that they tend to put the older ones down first.

“Poppy could be put down in three weeks. She’s on Death Row at the moment.

“If no one comes forward she will be put down.”

DogLost is already offering to contribute to the cost of bringing Poppy back home.

Mrs Headford said: “It’s not just as simple as getting her on a ferry and bringing her back – there’s quarantine and injections that also cost.

“Ideally we’d love to find the owner and are optimistic this could still happen but, if we can’t, we are looking at finding a foster home in France, just to give her more time.”

Mrs Headford said how Poppy got to France was a complete mystery. “She’s such an old, little dog and she’s got all the way to France.

“It’s such a big mystery. It would just be great if she could talk and tell us her story,” she said.

Anyone with any information to help Poppy should call 0844 800 3220 or visit www.doglost.co.uk.