A DESPERATE mum is appealing for permission to keep her dog at home after the pet helped her seven-year-old son recover from witnessing her being attacked.

Vicky Atkinson, of Propelair Way, Colchester, said she was assaulted in her flat in 2015 in front of her son Toby who was then just five-years-old.

In 2016, Ms Atkinson says she decided to take in Marshall, a two-month old Staffordshire bull terrier, after he was left behind by a previous partner.

She says the dog has had a “remarkable” impact on her boy, whose confidence and mental wellbeing suffered after he witnessed the violent incident.

But now she is fighting a battle to keep Marshall from being re-homed, as her landlord Colne refuses to grant written consent for her to keep the dog.

“Toby was terrified, he stopped speaking and eating,” she said. “He withdrew from everyone.

“He refused to live with me and stayed with my mum for months.

“When Marshall came into our lives this all changed. Toby’s confidence sky-rocketed, the improvements in in his school reports from that terrible year until now are proof of this. He is the happiest he has ever been.

“He sleeps in Toby’s bed and if Toby is ever under the weather or upset he will hug Marshall for hours. He is completely devoted to him.”

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Ms Atkinson adds she applied for permission to keep Marshall once she took over care of the dog but says she has repeatedly been turned down.

A petition to Colne Housing has reached 1,800 signatures, while the headteacher at Toby’s school and his doctor have written letters in support of the appeal for the dog to stay.

Ms Atkinson said her son has been devastated since learning Marshall will likely be re-homed.

“I stupidly left a letter from Colne on my breakfast bar about having to re-home Marshall and Toby read it,” she said.

“His mental health deteriorated quickly, including one incident where he tried to jump off my balcony. He has stopped talking and eating again.

“I had a couple of complaints a few months back but I hired a trainer to stop the barking and it has improved 100 per cent, neighbours have all vouched for this and sent emails.”

Colne Housing insist neighbours have lodged concerns about safety and noise nuisance.

Ms Atkinson says she has until Thursday to rehome the dog or she faces eviction.

Michala Lewis, of Colne Housing, said: “We sympathise with Ms Atkinson and have had many conversations with her to support her to find a solution.

“She knows dogs are not allowed in this block of flats and agreed to this when she became a tenant of Colne.

“Unfortunately, she decided to go ahead without authorisation and the family are now understandably attached to the dog.

“Colne has gone to great lengths to review this case, liaising with the relevant experts and agencies. However, as a responsible landlord we must ensure we safeguard our customers and protect their right to live in a peaceful environment.”

The petition can be found at change.org/p/colne-housing-association-please-help-me-keep-my-boy.