THE public’s negative image of Staffordshire Bull Terriers couldn’t be further from the truth, a dog rehoming group has stressed.

In the last few days a 37-year-old woman needed 72 stitches in her face after a neighbour’s Staffy dog attacked her in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

But a Worcester-based group maintains the breed makes an ideal family pet.

“They are known as the ‘nanny dog’ as they are so good around children,” said Rebecca Norris, committee member with the Senior Staffy Club, which helps rescue and rehome Staffies aged over seven. “They’re loving dogs and love to be around people. All they want is cuddles and kisses. They’re a gorgeous breed.

“The breed has had a lot of bad press recently. Dog attack items have been in the papers, plus part of the current youth culture has seen them as status symbols.

“The dog fighting culture has also been a problem.”

She says the breed is one of the most difficult to rehome, with older Staffies even harder.

“People looking for rescue dogs often want puppies,” said Miss Norris.

“But older dogs are house-trained and very chilled out. They really just want a nice sofa to curl up on.”

The group has also warned that dogs who are placed in a council-owned pound can be put down if they are not reclaimed or adopted within a week.

Miss Norris says the group, which is seeking charitable status, has seen a rise in the number of Staffies looking for a new home.

Senior Staffy, which only began last August and currently has 11 dogs in its care at their base in Broomhall, near Worcester, cares for dogs around the country.

“We are taking on more and more at the moment but it is only as funds allow,” she said. It costs £7 a day to board a dog in kennels and then there are vet fees.”

The group is organising a fund-raising walk around the Birmingham canals on Saturday, September 21.