TEENAGER Kayleigh Caswell has handed over her beloved dog after an animal lover on Portland vowed to look after him.

Homeless Kayleigh, 16, appealed for someone to care for German Shepherd Salty on a temporary basis because she was living in a tent with him on fields at Wyke Regis in Weymouth.

Now she has left the three-year-old dog with Colin Roberts at Weston on Portland so she can move into a bed and breakfast with her mum Eileen.

Kayleigh, who hopes to go on a childcare training course, said: "I was sad to see Salty go, but that is how it has to be for now.

"I am pleased that he is going to a good home.

"It is only on a temporary basis until myself and my mum can get a council place.

"Mr Roberts said we can go and see Salty whenever we like and he will let us have him back when we want."

She added: "I was surprised at how many people offered to help out and look after Salty.

"My thanks go to everybody who phoned up."

Miss Caswell and her mother Eileen, 52, were forced to move into bed and breakfast accommodation when they were made homeless.

But they were heartbroken when Salty was not allowed to move in with them so Miss Caswell stayed with him in a £50 tent on the recreation ground off Fairview Road rather than be parted.

Now they are due to live on a temporary basis at a bed and breakfast in Abbotsbury Road until they can find a new home and be re-united with Salty.

Mr Roberts, 40, of Westcliff Road, Portland, offered to look after Salty on a temporary basis after reading of their plight in the Echo.

Now Salty is running around with Mr Roberts' own German Shepherd Ziggy.

Mr Roberts, who is an engineer at Universal Engineering on the Granby Industrial Estate, said: "You can definitely see that Salty misses them. He has been looking out the window for them. But he gets on fine with my dog and there are plenty of places for walks near me, and I have a big garden."

Mr Roberts, who also has two parrots and tropical fish, added: "It was a pleasure to take Salty in.

"I could see Kayleigh was upset to be parted from him, but she can come and see him anytime."