ABANDONED and mistreated dogs may have to be destroyed unless they are given new homes.

The GAR animal rescue shelter in Markopoulo, Greece, is being forced to close because an airport is expanding.

The owners are desperately trying to ship them out with the help of Trowbridge woman Chris Bygott.

As well as three cats, a parrot and a hamster, she already has seven Great Danes but is rescuing another one before Christmas.

Duke, who is 18 months old, was abandoned in May when his Greek owners realised he had problems with his hind legs. Few vets in Greece have an x-ray machine, but luckily one was found near the shelter.

The x-rays were taken back to England and Mrs Bygott's vet confirmed he had some problems, but more with his knees than his hips.

His arched back and outwardly turned hind paws could correct themselves in time. Having already been micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and blood-tested, he will be able to enter the UK under the PETS travel scheme.

Mrs Bygott, who is paying all the transport costs, said: "The charity has been around for 14 years. It now has five to six months to leave and still has 70 dogs to re-home.

"They've all been treated horrendously. In Greek culture dogs are not usually pets. There are lots of cases of cruelty; they are starved, tied up on short chains or kept in small spaces."

Mrs Bygott has been rescuing dogs for 20 years, and although she only normally takes in Great Danes, she will help re-home any breed.

She is appealing for other people in the area to help and is putting up posters in pet shops and vets.

"These animals were lucky to be picked up by the shelter but it now looks like their luck is running out.

If people can't afford the transport costs I'll pay I'm just looking for people who can provide a good home."

Anyone who can help can contact Mrs Bygott on (01225) 755184.