A SWEET Staffie looking for a loving home has just days left to live after a promised rescue centre space fell through.

Two-year-old brown and ginger Staffordshire bull terrier Penfold was initially condemned to death after reaching his legal time limit in council kennels with emergency funding paying for his accommodation about to run out.

Last week it seemed Penfold was safe when a rescue centre agreed to help and promised him a space – and salvation at their home.

Luke Bartley, 19, a dog walker who launched the Penfold's Rescue campaign on Facebook, said playful pooch Penfold was assessed by the centre and found to be in excellent health.

But Luke, who already has a dog and two cats, said that the rescue centre emailed him today and said it could not take Penfold, whose time and emergency funding is about to run out.

Luke was emotional as he spoke about the possibility of losing the “affectionate and lively” animal.

He said: “I felt just shocked at how there could be no chance they could take him.

"They came and saw him and there were no problems at all. It’s just an indescribable feeling, he has his whole life in front of him and he should be looking to the future but now has just days left to live.

"They’ve taken that all away.”

Penfold, who is thought to be two years old, was picked up as a stray in Park North six weeks ago.

He is now once again on 'dog death row' with days left to live unless he secures funding or a new home is offered to him.

Luke added that Penfold is the perfect companion.

“He’s loving, friendly, he wants attention and he wants a best friend. He’ll treat any owner right and he’ll be the perfect companion because he has the most beautiful nature,” he said.

Luke is now frantically searching rescue homes across the country to find the perfect pooch his forever home.

He urged town dog-lovers to get in touch to adopt Penfold or donate to buy him time in emergency accommodation.

“If anyone can offer him a home, it will be the best decision they’ll ever make. He’ll pay them back a million times in love and affection. I can’t let this happen to him, he deserves a future,” he said.

To adopt Penfold or to donate to buy him time in rescue kennels visit www.penfoldsrescue.wix.com/Swindon or www.facebook.com/penfoldsrescue