A PUPPY who was rescued from a cruel owner has begun a new life after being adopted by the policewoman who went to her aid.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the three-month-old border collie was punched in the face, kicked and stamped on by burly ex-miner David Pickup, who flew into a drunken rage as he tried to get the animal on to a bus.

But after arresting Pickup, PC Catherine Kirkwood fell head over heels in love with the pup and took her home.

And 12 months after the incident Pickup has been convicted of animal cruelty and the puppy, now called Rosie, is living happily at the officers home.

"She is a lovely dog and has completely recovered from the ordeal of her early life," said PC Kirkwood.

"She was very timid at first but she is fine now and I wouldn't be without her."

Pickup, 52, of the Islington Motel, Bolton Road, Blackburn, was convicted in his absence of cruelty to a dog and being drunk and disorderly.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.

The court heard that Pickup punched the dog and kicked it before throwing it into a bus.

Robin Stevens, who was working in the pawnbrokers shop next to the bus stop in Penny Street, ran onto the bus and saw Pickup stamp on the pup.

When he challenged Pickup he was met with foul-mouthed abuse.

Veterinary nurse Jane Parker was on the bus and told how Pickup threw the puppy under a seat before standing on it "like he was stubbing out a cigarette".

"The puppy was yelping and it was shaking," said Miss Parker. "An old lady asked what he thought he was doing and he swore at her.

"The dog had run under the seats and a young woman who was pregnant picked her up and we all got off the bus and went into the pawnbrokers shop."

PC Kirkwood said that when she arrived Pickup was outside the shop shouting and swearing and making threats.

She said after the incident in August 2001 she contacted the RSPCA and had taken the puppy home.