A POPULAR Bournemouth pub is looking to adopt a rescue dog after a petition to save an animal in need received more than 200 signatures.

Seabournes pub also hopes to work alongside Dorset Dog Rescue to host a number of canine-friendly fundraising events which will help re-home dogs throughout the UK.

The pub dog petition was started by animal-lover Samantha Lowney who has worked at the pub on Christchurch Road for five years.

As Seabournes recently came under new management by Mark Evans and Laura Williams, Samantha thought it would be an ideal time to see if there would be any public support for the idea.

Samantha said: “I knew that Laura would love to rescue a dog from a local rescue centre and everyone at the pub thinks it would be a lovely asset to our big family.

“Laura and Mark have lived above the pub for six months and before knowing of the result of the management role Mark said that if he gets the pub then he will also get a dog.

“Now they have got the pub, Mark has taken a little persuading, but the petition has shown him the huge public support from all the locals and regulars.”

The petition is still growing in numbers by the day as they have a facebook appeal and a sign-up sheet on the bar.

Laura said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support for a rescue dog at the pub.

“I think it will be brilliant. We have been in touch with Dorset Dog Rescue and we are hoping to host lots of summer events.”

Mark said; “We really want to make the pub the centre of the community and I think rescuing a dog would be a good thing to do.”