Weymouth's new community patrol officers have come to the rescue of a homeless man's beloved dog.

As reported, patrol officers Karoline Johnson and Jon Williams have started their beat in Weymouth town centre in a council scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour and make the street safer.

As part of their patrols, they have been liaising with rough sleepers, which is how they came into contact with Mike and his four-legged friend Bonnie.

Mike was said to concerned that his beloved spaniel could fall behind with her vaccinations and become ill.

The officers got in touch with Street Vet, a charity which helps homeless people take care of their pets, and subsequently arranged Bonnie's veterinary care.

Mike said: “Bonnie is everything to me, she is all I’ve got. She keeps me going, we keep each other going. It really does mean the world to me that people were willing to help us.

"It is so important, especially when you are both homeless that they stay well, especially in this weather. I want to thank Street Vet for their kindness.”

The patrol officers, who began work this autumn under a new Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), have also received a large donation of dog food from Pets at Home, which is available at homeless charity the Lantern in Ranelagh Road.

Karoline Johnson said: “I first met Mike and Bonnie sleeping rough about eight months ago. Bonnie is such a sweet, well behaved girl and always happy to see me. Mike takes care of her really well.

“I am glad we’ve been able to help them and alleviate worry. Living on the streets is a hard life for anyone, especially with the anxiety and worry of keeping a beloved companion in tip top condition."

She added: “Sadly, having a pet can make it much harder for someone to find accommodation. The owner may be eligible for housing, but a dog may not be accepted. In many cases the bond is so deep that a homeless person will choose the company of their pet above a roof over their heads. They’ll turn down accommodation and just hope that something else comes up, where they can be together. I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I failed to recognise this and didn’t listen and help where possible.”

Mike said: “I have met so many wonderful people in Weymouth, made some friends and even been offered some work when we manage to get on our feet again. I’m hoping Bonnie and I can stay and make a positive contribution to the area.”

The CSAS covers a wide area and the patrols tackle anti-social behaviour by deterring, educating and enforcing. The scheme is managed by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council which has have worked with Dorset Police, the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, British Transport Police, Dorset County Council and Weymouth BID to set it up.

The patrol officers have the power to gather evidence and be involved in the enforcement of Community Protection Notices, which place restrictions on individuals that persistently act in an anti-social manner. Their role isn’t directly to help the homeless. This is done by an outreach team, a service currently provided for the borough council by Julian House. However, they do engage with homeless people and work with other agencies to help them off the streets.