Kai the station dog: New owner for web star dumped dog Published duration 4 February 2015

image copyright Scottish SPCA image caption The Scottish SPCA chose Ian Russell as Kai's new owner

A dog which became a global news star after being abandoned at a Scottish train station with his belongings in a suitcase has been given to a new owner.

The male Shar-Pei crossbreed - named Kai - was discovered tied to a railing outside Ayr station on 2 January.

The suitcase included the dog's pillow, toy, food bowl and food.

After Kai's story was publicised around the world the Scottish SPCA was flooded with offers to take him. The charity chose Ian Russell as his new owner.

Mr Russell, 52, from Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire, was selected out of hundreds of people who volunteered to re-home Kai.

'Over the moon'

The self-employed hydraulic engineer said he felt it was "fate" that he had been chosen to give Kai a new home.

"I'm over the moon and very shocked that I was chosen out of everyone who wanted him," he said.

image copyright Scottish SPCA image caption Mr Russell said he felt it was "fate" that he was chosen to look after Kai

"My Dalmatian named Mica passed away just before Christmas and I was left heartbroken. I had her for 15 years and she was the apple of my eye. We pretty much spent 24 hours a day together.

"When I heard about Kai I knew the little guy needed a break but I never thought in a million years I'd get him."

Mr Russell said he called the Scottish SPCA to "see if there was anything I could do to help".

"Fast forward a few weeks and here I am taking him home. I honestly think it was meant to be," he said.

Mr Russell said that Kai would have an active and adventurous life with him.

"I work all over Scotland, mainly outdoors, driving wherever I'm needed in my van. Kai will come with me and when it's appropriate I'll let him out to run around and play safely while I work.

"Then we'll jump back into the van together and head to the next place. We'll be able to hang out all the time.

"Being the one to re-home Kai is a bit like winning the lottery and I'm really looking forward to getting him home and bonding with him."

Mr Russell said that he hoped some of the people who had offered to re-home Kai would now "consider helping one of the many other rescue pets in the Scottish SPCA's care".

International interest

The charity's senior animal care assistant, Alan Grant, said that offers to re-home Kai had come in from around the world after his story was reported across the international media.

"We were overwhelmed by offers of new homes for Kai from places as far away as New York, Los Angeles, France, Spain and even the Philippines," he said.

"Kai's story was really sad and many people likened him to Paddington Bear given he was found alone at a railway station with his suitcase."

image copyright Scottish SPCA image caption Kai was found abandoned with his belongings in a suitcase

Mr Grant said that he believed Kai would have a great life with his new owner.

He said: "One of the reasons we chose Ian was, right from the start, he said he was interested in re-homing Kai but he would take our advice if we thought one of the many other dogs in our care would suit him better.

"It was really important for us to select an owner who wanted Kai for all the right reasons and had really thought through their decision to take on a rescue dog.

"We know Kai will have a fantastic new life with Ian and we couldn't be happier for him."

The Scottish SPCA said it was still investigating the circumstances which led to Kai being abandoned.

Last month, a woman came forward to say she left the dog tied up at the railway station because she believed it had been stolen.