THE pooch behind one of cinema’s most famous animal roles is looking for a new home.
German Shepherd Berry is known to millions of children as the animal incarnation of the hero’s godfather in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
As Padfoot, the animagus form of Gary Oldman’s character, Sirius, Berry saved the lives of Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione when they were threatened by a werewolf.
But his owner, stuntman Paul Thompson, says he can no longer devote enough time to Berry and his companion Porridge and is looking for a new home for the pair.
RETIREMENT
Porridge, who suffers from arthritis, has also had a successful screen career, with roles including TV show The Bill and an adaptation of Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth.
But with the dogs now aged 10 and 13 respectively they are settling into retirement.
Mr Thompson told the Sunday Express: “I found myself spending a lot of time away from home. The dogs needed more attention then I could give. It was a difficult decision to make but one I had to accept was best for the dogs.”
The 52-year-old has arranged for the pair, who have been together since puppyhood, to be fostered by a charity called German Shepherd Dog Rescue until they could be found a new home together.
Charity founder Jane Shenstone said: “We’ve had people from America offering to take them, but unfortunately they want them for the wrong reasons.”
