AN 86-year-old widower has said he feels "lost" after a housing association refused to allow him to get a new dog when his canine-companion was killed.

John Cuthbert, who is a resident at Fortis Living's The Firs in Kempsey, has kept a dog at the retirement home since he moved there to live closer to his son around 18 years ago.

But when his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Ben, was hit by a car and died in March, Mr Cuthbert was told he would not be allowed to replace the dog.

Fortis Living says due to a change in its policy, pets are not allowed to be kept in properties without a private garden.

Mr Cuthbert, an Army veteran who served in the Parachute Regiment, has written to the company to voice his dismay and a petition has been started to campaign against the no-dog rule.

He said: "I'm lost without a dog, I just feel something is missing.

"The grounds have a pretty big garden. I go down the river nearly every day, I keep walking it. My dogs have always had plenty of exercise. I have never had any trouble, never had a complaint.

"It is quite good for an old person to have a dog. It is company and it makes you walk, which is good."

During his life Mr Cuthbert, whose wife died 22 years ago, has rescued five dogs, including his most recent Staffie.

"I think it stinks," said Mr Cuthbert.

"There doesn't seem to be any compassion to any of it. I am happy here, I do not really want to move on. I have got a lot of friends in the village. I would do anything to get another dog."

Clare Huyton, Fortis Living's executive director of housing, care and communities, said: "We sympathise with Mr Cuthbert but due to a change in our policy we do not allow pets to be kept in properties without a private garden.

"We encourage responsible pet ownership and our approach has been developed in consultation with residents.

"Our policy is endorsed by the RSPCA who awarded us the ‘Gold Footprint’ standard."