A RESCUE service for Great Danes has received official charity status, which its owner hopes will put an end to concerns it was not a legitimate organisation.

Andrew Smith, from Saltburn, launched TJ Danes Rescue last year to rescue and rehome the animals, which are amongst the tallest breed of dog in the world. The dogs can quickly grow to several feet high and for this reason they are often more likely to be abandoned, or even killed, as puppies or young dogs.

The charity rescues unwanted Great Danes, rehoming them in approved foster homes around the north of England until a permanent home can be found.

Earlier this year people raised concerns about the organisation’s practices, in particular over allegedly failing to check the suitability of homes for dogs and a lack of transparency over donations.

But after the Charity Commission carried out an extensive investigation into the allegations and the organisation, the regulatory body has now awarded TJ Danes official charity status.

Mr Smith said he now hoped to draw a line under the accusations and look to the future.

“Now we have charity status we can really focus on what we’re doing,” he said.

TJ Danes Rescue is looking for more people willing to provide foster homes to the rescued dogs, while a permanent home for them is found.

Volunteers first need to undergo a home visit with other household members and any other pets present to check they are suitable.

“I and the rest of the people involved in the charity have set ourselves a huge task in focusing on Great Danes because they’re a different to most other dogs,” said Mr Smith.

“They have different types of behaviour and they’re more difficult to find homes for because they’re so big and they do need some special care.

“Unfortunately people buy Great Danes thinking they’re going to turn into Scooby Doo. It’s not the case that you need a large home in order to adopt one, but you do need a back garden with a six foot fence and they do need room to lie down on a settee.”

For more information, visit the website: www.tjdanesrescues.org.uk