WHEN Oliver the bull mastiff puppy went blind, his callous owners dumped him on the streets.

The seven-month-old dog's days looked numbered until he was rescued by Karen Anderson, of Horden, County Durham.

But as she already has seven other dogs at her tiny home, she feels Oliver needs more space and quieter surroundings.

The pure-bred mastiff was found wandering in a deteriorating state in the Easington Lane area of the town.

Untreated glaucoma meant that vets had to remove one of his eyes, leaving the other one without any vision.

With little hope on his horizon, he looked set to be put to sleep until Ms Anderson, 35, was alerted and agreed to give him a temporary home.

"He is an absolutely lovely, sweet-natured dog and, at the moment, I am taking him to a specialist vet in South Shields where he is having treatment on his other eye and we are all hoping he will regain some limited sight," she said.

She said that Oliver would be better off with people who could give him their undivided attention and added: "Ideally, I am looking for an older couple who perhaps already have one dog, because Oliver loves other dogs although he struggles sometimes with seven."

Ms Anderson believes that Oliver became of no use to his breeder when he lost his sight and, rather than pay vets' bills, they dumped him.

She said: "I am spending between £70 and £90 a time for his eye treatment and would welcome any support from the public."

Anyone who could give Oliver a home or could help out Ms Anderson with small donations towards his vet bills is asked to contact her on 0191-518 3406.