A council today reversed its decision to put down a stray dog offered a “loving home” after campaigners started a legal fight.
More than 11,000 people signed a petition calling on Newham council to release Ellie.
The Evening Standard reported on her plight yesterday and now the council has said it is “not its intention to seek destruction of the dog”.
The controversy started when Ellie ran into Docklands Equestrian Centre on Valentine’s Day. Stables manager Terry Minns called the council’s warden service and told them she would take her in if no one claimed her. But she was later informed the emaciated animal was “dangerous” and would be put down.
Mrs Minns hired a lawyer who took out an emergency order in the High Court to stop the council putting the dog down last month. The legal team sent in a dog behaviour expert who inspected Ellie in kennels and deemed her “scared but not dangerous”.
A council spokesman confirmed the U-turn after seeking its own advice from an animal behaviour expert.
But they said Ellie would need to be rehomed with an owner who does not have young children or other animals.
This would rule out Mrs Minns, who lives in Newham with her husband, two dogs and daughter Olivia, seven.
Mrs Minns, 45, said: “I will continue to fight for Ellie until she is safe.”
Campaigners have so far raised more than £3,700 to help pay for legal fees.
