A DOG rescued from cruelty in Iraq is living safely in the North-East after a 2,600-mile adventure.

Despite his name, Rocky the Great Dane is such a big softie that his good nature almost cost him his life.

As a puppy, he was being tortured by an Iraqi shopkeeper's family in a failed attempt to give him a vicious streak.

He was saved by a Dutch soldier who looked on in horror as the shopkeeper's son hurled rocks at him, to try to make him bark. Wilhelm Van Der Waal was so appalled by what he saw, he bought the terrified dog and smuggled him over the border into Turkey in the back of a car.

From there, he put him on a plane to Heathrow Airport, where Rocky spent six months in quarantine. Once given the all-clear, he was sent to a dog shelter in Boston, Lincolnshire, where he was looked after for two months.

Now two years old, he has settled happily in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, with new owner Norma Hind and her family.

Mrs Hind, 43, a part-time company secretary, said: "The soldier saw him chained up outside a shop and being stoned by a young boy.

"He went in and asked the owner why he was letting the lad stone the dog.

"The owner explained it was his son and that he wanted the dog as a guard dog, but he would not bark so they were trying to turn him vicious.

"After a couple of weeks of seeing this, he asked if he could buy the dog."

Rocky may sound tough, but Mrs Hind, who is married to Paul, 44, and has two sons, Steven, 19, and James, 14, said he is "an absolute baby".

She said: "All he wants is cuddles all the time. When we first got him, he had no idea how to bark or how to play.

"When someone put something through the letterbox, I ended up running to the door and barking trying to teach him what to do."

After his long journey to safety, Rocky's latest challenge should be easy going.

Mrs Hind has put his name down for the Great North Dog Walk on The Leas, in South Shields, on Sunday, June 17.

She read about the free event while visiting her mother in the town and decided it would be perfect for Rocky.

She has completed the Great North Run eight times, and is looking forward to the change of pace.

Mrs Hind said: "We're all looking forward to the walk and Rocky will really enjoy it."