The campaign to save Champ, the American Pit Bull under a death sentence in the Island, appears to have reached the end of the line.

It's been confirmed today (Wednesday) the dog is to be destroyed because no suitable home can be found for him.

The dog's owner Sarah Kneen and her supporters say they've done everything they can to keep him alive.

American pit bulls are a banned breed in the Isle of Man - Champ was brought to the Island five years ago and ended up in the care of Sarah Kneen.

She previously won a stay of execution after lodging a petition of doleance. In the meantime, Champ has been looked after at the MSPCA.

Ms Kneen thought she'd found a sanctuary in Ireland prepared to take the animal.

But the Department of Agriculture has ruled the dog must be put down - in a statement DAFF says they have not been able to identify a suitable long-term home which could guarantee Champ a secure future.

The only other option was to return Champ to Northern Ireland where he came from but this would itself have led to the dog's destruction.

(Picture from pedigreedatebase.com)