Shropshire Star

Shropshire's Bulley named top dog

A rescue dog which spent nine years at a Shropshire kennels before being adopted to begin a new life in America has won a competition for rehomed dogs – after receiving thousands of votes from across the world.

Published

And the decision to award the Rehomed Pet World Cup to Bulley the Staffordshire bull terrier means he is not the only winner.

For new owners Babs and David Bufton, who took Bulley to live with them in Chicago, have promised to give the £5,000 prize to the Hilbrae Kennels, between Shrewsbury and Telford, where their pet lived for almost a decade.

Marty Burrell, owner of Hilbrae , which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, said: "We didn't enter him, it was his new owner, Babs. She told us that if she won she would donate all the winnings to us, which is absolutely fantastic.

"He spent so much time with us, she thought that the money would be a way of giving something back– which is lovely of her. We'd like to say thanks to everyone who voted for him, because it was very close in the end.

"The money will go towards replacing a number of kennels which have become worn out.

"We're hoping to do that at the end of the summer."

Bulley received thousands of votes to make him the overall winner of the competition, sponsored by an insurance firm, and was 250 votes ahead of the dogs behind him.

Bulley was in danger of becoming a permanent resident at Hilbrae Pets Hotel and Stray Kennels in Cold Hatton.

But after his plight featured in the Shropshire Star, on TV and radio he gained thousands of friends and eventually found new owners. Twitter and Facebook pages set up in his name have thousands of followers.