Mike the Labrador, with his new owner Paolo Terzaga (right) and Dogs Trust veterinary physiotherapist Carol Ann Hercock (rossparry.co.uk/David Hedges; Newsteam)

Shortly after moving to Devon, Tuck met and married Helen Mathie, a chartered veterinary physiotherapist, who worked on Team GB's dressage team during the Beijing and London Paralympics.

But the 48-year-old veterinary physiotherapist, who contacted them via website Gumtree, attempted to sublet the flat for £1,800 a month to another couple.