FIVE DOGS died last week after a killer virus wreaked havoc at Birmingham Dogs’ Home, forcing it to close its doors for a week to new arrivals.

The deadly parvo virus is alleged to have been introduced to the rescue centre by two recent arrivals.

Manager Peter Grigg said the vet had advised the home to close for one week to be sure the virus had gone. The dogs home houses 150 dogs and can take up to 70 new strays a week.

Mr Grigg said he noticed on Sunday afternoon that two dogs brought in from West Bromwich were looking ill. "All dogs are vaccinated when they arrive but they deteriorated rapidly and it killed them. We had to close for a week to make sure that none of the dogs have it in their system," he said.

Happily, the home has now reopened.