A FAMILY has taken home a charity’s 50,000th dog.

Sooty was the Retired Greyhound Trust’s landmark rehoming when he was selected by the Hodgson family.

Mike, Joanna and six-year-old Poppy Hodgson, from Darlington, picked Sooty from County Durham’s Hollin Hall branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust, for their first pet dog to go with cat Patrick.

Mr Hodgson said: “We have spent years contemplating getting a dog. We researched lots of different breeds to try to find one that fits with our family and our lifestyle. We kept coming back to retired greyhounds.

“They get on well with children, they don’t need huge amounts of exercise, so fit in with us having to work full-time and they get on well with cats.

“As well as greyhounds being a perfect breed for us as a family, it is great to be able to support the charity.”

Alison Waggott, from the trust, said: “The 50,000th dog is a great landmark for our charity, but we must remember that this is just one greyhound and one family.

“We still have many more greyhounds who need loving homes.”

For more details about rehoming a greyhound, or to sponsor a dog, call 0844-826-8424 or visit retiredgreyhounds.co.uk