Owners of death-row dog Hugo say he’s free after week-long fight and off to a loving family in Tweed

BAD boy dog Hugo is off death row and on his way to greener pastures in New South Wales, according to his Gold Coast owners.

Hugo the 2 year old dog (breed Sharpe) is amassing online supporters at a rate of 1000 people an hour, after his owners made a desperate plea to save him from a council-imposed death sentence. Apparently Hugo the Sharpei was caught outside off his leash twice HugoÕs owners claim he is not a dangerous dog and does not deserve to die. Hugo's owner Jack Bellinger (22) with a photo of himself and Hugo. Picture by Scott Fletcher

BAD boy dog Hugo is off death row on the Gold Coast and apparently on his way to a new state, according to his owners.

Defying expectations of a tropical exile in far north Queensland, the controversial sharpei was freed from the custody of the Gold Coast City Council this morning under an agreement with owners to allow the dog to live on the condition he leave city.

In a message on social networking website Facebook posted just before 1pm, his owners, Jack Bellinger and Lynette McIlveen, told nearly 36,000 supporters Hugo was free.

A ‘Save Hugo’ Facebook page has attracted more than 35,000 likes Picture by Scott Fletcher

“There are a few things that need to be said, first and most importantly our Hugo Bear is free,” the message said.

“He has a warm bed across the border and best of all it is with a family member that he adores he will be in a warm bed surrounded with love.

“We really would love to thank every single one of you who have opened your hearts and stood up for our boy and for that we love you all.”

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Attempts have been made to contact Hugo’s owners for comment.

It was initially suggested Hugo would be relocated to Cairns, a proposal which drew a furious response from the far north Queensland city’s mayor who declared it was “’not Manus Island for recalcitrant dogs”.

Hugo’s Gold Coast owners Jack Bellinger and Lynette McIlveen Picture: Scott Fletcher

Hugo’s owners were last week issued a destruction notice following more than 18 months of repeated incidents involving other dogs and neighbours.

The dog was voluntarily turned over to the council by his owners and an appeal for clemency sparked a social media campaign.

The Bulletin last week revealed the two-year-old sharpei had a rap sheet dating back to March 2013.

Hugo was repeatedly impounded after reportedly attacking smaller dogs and rushing at people in Hope Island’s Charles Holm Park.

In December, council officers were told by the owners - who admitted making it up - that the then-unregistered dog had died. But less than a month later he was spotted again without a leash or his owners in a nearby park.

Read the full story in tomorrow’s Gold Coast Bulletin