Dog welfare charity The Dogs Trust has made an "urgent" appeal for more volunteer fosterers across Leicestershire and the wider Midlands to support people fleeing domestic abuse by caring for their dogs . A spokesperson for the charity, which has a centre at Wymeswold, said referrals to its specialist domestic abuse pet fostering service had doubled in the past five years.

The volunteers who look after the pets of domestic abuse victims get fully compensated for their expenses. They are needed to take care of the dog until the victim is able to care for the animal again.

The Dogs Trust service, which is called Freedom, was set up in response to evidence of the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse, alongside the general lack of pet-friendly rented accommodation.

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