Bardot backs fight to save dog that barked

FRENCH ANIMAL lovers, including Brigitte Bardot, have joined a fight to save a Scottish dog condemned to death because it barked at a postman.

A court in Edinburgh will rule tomorrow on whether Woofie, a collie-cross bitch from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, must be put down.

The dog was ordered to be destroyed in September after its owner, Terry Swankie, 52, admitted breaching the Dangerous Dogs Act by accepting it was out of control in a public place. The dog barked at a postman but did not bite him. French vets have sent Mr Swankie an anti-barking collar. The device has an electronically controlled microphone, whichactivates a cloud of harmless spray whenever it picks up the sound of a bark.

A lawyer representing MsBardot is also to attend the appeal, which will be heard before two judges.

Trevor Cooper, Mr Swankie's lawyer, said: "We hope the judges will lift the destruction order and the family will be able to resume their normal life."