IT WAS the moment she hoped would never come, but yesterday Alexandra Hughes was told she would never see her beloved pet dog again.

It has been 11 long, traumatic months since Lunar the golden Labrador was taken from her Eastleigh home by the Labrador Lifeline Trust.

But after almost a year of campaigning to get Lunar back, retired Salvation Army Officer Major Hughes was left in tears when a judge ruled the Labrador Lifeline Trust were justified in repossessing her dog.

Overweight Last October, the Trust repossessed Lunar because they believed she was extremely overweight and was being left in a car for long periods of time.

They argued that because Major Hughes had adopted the dog, they were still Lunar's owners and had the right to remove her on October 18, as they felt she was not being properly cared for.

Major Hughes has always denied the claims, arguing that Lunar was like a child to her and that steps had been taken to control Lunar's weight.

However, Guildford County Court heard Judge Reid QC rule in favour of the Trust, finding that, as owners, they acted reasonably and were entitled to repossess Lunar.

In the written judgement Judge Reid said: "In these circumstances the Trust was acting reasonably in forming the opinion that the dog was not being exercised regularly, its weight was not being kept under control and was in those circumstances not being properly cared for.

"Despite the love and warmth Miss Hughes devoted to Lunar, she was unable to care for and exercise her as she should have done and would no doubt have wished to."

Leaving the court, a tearful Major Hughes said: "It's a sad day for all the people who have adopted a dog that trusts can just walk into your home without warning and remove your dog.

"I love my Lunar and if I never see her again I know I shall see her in heaven because I believe in eternal love. I will be considering an appeal."

In a statement to the Daily Echo the Trust said it was happy with the outcome and that Lunar, who has been rehomed, was now "the picture of health".