Denise Tunnicliffe thought she was doing the right thing when she took the family dog to a rescue centre after he scratched a neighbour's son.

But now her heartbroken children are pleading for the return of their beloved six-month-old mongrel Barney and have written to Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare at Ringmer to ask for him back.

However, the centre has a strict policy not to return animals to their owners once they had been signed over.

Barney was taken to Raystede after an incident in the family's front garden in Staplefield Drive, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, two weeks ago when he jumped up at a five-year-old.

Mrs Tunnicliffe, who had been training the dog to behave, said: "He saw someone he didn't recognise. The boy panicked when the dog barked and started waving his arms.

"Barney jumped up and scratched the boy but he didn't bite him."

Mrs Tunnicliffe decided Barney would be better off rehomed.

She took the dog to Raystede two weeks ago and handed him over.

But as soon as she did so she realised she had made a mistake and has spent the last fortnight phoning, emailing and writing letters pleading for Barney's return.

Mrs Tunnicliffe said: "We've found someone to train Barney and my friends have said they will help pay for him to be castrated. We just want him home.

"I panicked when I took him to Raystede. When I called and asked for him back they said I would have to wait a few days. Then on Thursday they told me I couldn't have him back."

Mrs Tunnicliffe's three children, Gemma, 16, Rachel, 14, and James, 12, have all written letters pleading for the charity to let their dog return home.

Mrs Tunnicliffe said: "I'm really sorry for the inconvenience but I made a big mistake letting him go."

Morgan Williams, general manager of Raystede, said the centre's policy, in line with other animal welfare organisations, was not to return animals once they were signed over.

Mr Williams said: "We've had the policy in place for 50 years.

"In the past, people have brought animals in and are looking for free board. I'm not saying that's what's happened here but we are quite clear in saying 'are you sure you want to sign it over?'"

Mr Williams said Mrs Tunnicliffe went through an interview before signing Barney over.