"Intelligent and loving" dog cruelly abandoned outside animal centre still looking for home

The American bulldog fondly named Hector was found tied to the gates of an RSPCA centre with cigarette burns on his body on August 1, 2020.

At the time, staff at the centre discovered that Hector only responded to German commands after they realised the car of the man who abandoned him had foreign number plates.

The intelligent pooch has been training at the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch Animal Centre in East Ardsley in Leeds, West Yorks., ever since, and has now learned to respond to English in the months he’s been there.

The RSPCA are hoping to find the “big baby”, who weighs six stone, a new home despite the fact he still struggles to trust new people.

In a new post, RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch: Animal Centre said Hector was still available for adoption and they would "dearly love to find his forever home soon".

The social media post said: "Due to his past experiences and size, Hector has very specific needs.

"It's important that his new owner meets all the necessary criteria in order to give Hector the best possible chance in settling into his forever home. He needs:

- an owner with large breed experience; Hector weighs a whopping 40kg so he needs his person to be strong, confident and calm.

- an adult-only home (permanently: no visiting children or chance of living with children in the future).

- a non-smoking home, as he has had bad experiences with cigarettes in the past.

- someone who lives no more than one hour's drive away from our Animal Centre in East Ardsley, as multiple visits will be necessary before taking Hector home to help him build up a bond; he needs his owner to let him take things slow and steady.

- a home without too many visitors, as new people worry him, ideally set back from the road so he doesn't get bothered by passers by.

- to be the only pet in the home.

- someone who has plenty of time to spend with him, teaching him it's OK to sometimes be on his own.

- a large secure garden for him to play and relax in, with fencing of at least 6ft.

"We know that this is a lot to ask, but Hector's past experiences have damaged his trust in people so it's important that we do our utmost to help him feel comfortable in the transition to his forever home..

The centre described Hector as a "sensitive soul with a huge heart".

The post continued: "In his time with us he had got used to his routine and developed a loving bond with his carers.

"He now shows off his goofy personality with them - he may be a big dog, but he's convinced his calling in life is to be a lapdog!

"He is sweet and funny and so loving, as you can see from the photos. He will be able to build up that bond with the right person - it will just take him a bit longer than many other dogs.

"He hopes someone out there can understand."

If you're interested in applying to adopt Hector, the centre have asked to make sure you read his profile thoroughly on their website.