has found a caring new home.

About nine weeks ago the Rottweiler pup was spotted in the Roberts Avenue area of Devonshire by passing truckers who heard an animal howling in pain.

He was taken to Hamilton's Hannover Veterinary Hospital where he was treated for shock and his tail amputated.

There the dog was nick-named `Star' by the staff because he lapped up the attention he was given.

Now recovered from his ordeal the pup has found a safe new home where he is recovering well.

The new owner, who asked to stay anonymous, said: "We've re-named him `Ben' and the vet says he is doing very well.

"He was a bit nervous of children at first, but he is getting over that now.

He is in a safe home that is fenced in and he has a new friend in our other dog, an Akita.'' The owner said it was a combination of factors that led to him taking the Rottweiler. "We've always had two dogs and our last one died of cancer, so we were looking for another. We also wanted to give him a good home.'' Several children have appeared in Magistrates' and Juvenile courts in connection with causing suffering to the puppy.