CAN you help reunite a heartbroken little boy with his pet dog?

Dale Stainthorpe has been inconsolable since his mother Joanne decided Suki the collie type mongrel had to go to a new home because it was fighting with the cat.

Seven-year-old Dale, of James Street North, Radcliffe, has been crying through the night and writing touching poems about his "best friend" at school.

His mum took the dog to an animal sanctuary and it found a new home hours later. But she now realises she has made a mistake and is appealing for the black and white pet's new owners to get in touch.

Joanne, 31, said: "The cat or the dog had to go and because we had only had Suki for four months, I thought Dale would prefer if the dog went.

"Unfortunately, I made the wrong decision. Dale is absolutely heartbroken, he really has taken it badly. We would love to get in touch with Suki's new owners, to see if we could perhaps buy her back or just to make arrangements so Dale can see she is all right."

Suki joined the Stainthorpe household as a puppy in July and began treating Felix the cat as her mother.

The two pets started playing with each other, but as Suki became older she got too boisterous and Joanne realised one of them would get hurt unless they were split up.

Suki was dropped off at Leigh Animal Sanctuary earlier this month. The next day, Joanne realised her mistake and telephoned the sanctuary who said she could collect the dog if she paid the adoption fee. The cat was taken to her mother's house in preparation for the dog's return, but when she went to get Suki on the Tuesday, he had been sold to someone else.

Joanne said: "Dale thought I was getting her back and he expected me to be outside the school gates with her. We really want him back." Joanne now urgently wants to get in touch with Suki's new owners. If you can help call her on 0161 959 1582.