A pensioner forced to leave a care home in a row over his dog could be moving to Cumbria.

Bob Harvey, a resident at Burnfoot Hall home in Ecclefechan, has been told he must move out by April 19 - with bosses refusing to attend any further meetings to discuss allowing him to stay at the home.

Mr Harvey, 87, was told he must leave the home after his miniature schnauzer Darkie was witnessed fouling in the corridors.

Senior care home staff also said the dog was causing distress to other residents and had “free reign”.

A petition set up by Tracey Streit, from Carlisle, amassed more than 238,000 signatures, while protests were held in both Edinburgh and London in a bid to force home operators Mead Medical to change their minds.

A search is now on to find alternative accommodation for Mr Harvey.

Arthur Shuter, his advisory, told the News & Star: "Bob’s found a bungalow in Longtown that he is keen to move into.

“It’s in the private sector, but we’ve spoken to the landlord and they’re aware of his story.

“They seem quite keen to have him move in and they’ll let him keep Darkie as well.”

However Bob would require care and support should he move into private accommodation.

“That’s something else that we’ve got to look at," Mr Shuter continued.

"We have seen other homes – some which were elsewhere in Dumfries and Galloway - but Bob is keen to move into the one in Longtown. The others were sympathetic towards him, too, but they didn’t allow pets.

“The bungalow isn’t in Ecclefechnan, but it’s not too far and he knows people in Cumbria.”

A justgiving page was also set up in support of Mr Harvey, raising tens of thousands of pounds which will be put towards the care costs for a new home.

No one from the home was available to comment, but a previous statement issued by Michael Best, managing director of Mead Medical Services, said: "I have witnessed personally this dog coming out of nowhere, barking and becoming aggressive.

"Fire doors are consistently left open so that the dog has free reign.

"This leaves residents freezing in the winter months as the cold air comes in. Over time this dog has been allowed to run freely. The home is housing mostly vulnerable residents, people that need care.

"These people have limited mobility and sensory abilities, it is not safe."