A regional daily has helped to save a dog’s life and reunite him with his desperate owner after an appeal raised thousands of pounds in a matter of days .

The Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph called on readers to help after being contacted by a local man who had just two days to raise £125 to release his dog, after he escaped and was picked up by a council warden.

After featuring the story of Gavin Lane and his husky-collie-cross Milo as Saturday’s splash, the paper was inundated by readers calling to offer the money, with more than £3,500 being pledged to save him from being put down.

And the pair were reunited later that day after reader Robert Eatwell took Mr Lane to the kennels and paid the £125 for Milo’s release.

The Evening Telegraph’s front page highlighted the plight of Milo.

Mr Lane could not afford the fee to release his dog from the kennels and the title is now campaigning for the local authority to change its policy to allow people to pay in instalments.

Editor Jeremy Clifford said: “We were taken by surprise by the reaction from readers. Clearly we knew it was a good story, but we struggled to keep up with the volume of calls from readers.

“We are now launching a campaign to persuade the council to change its policy on releasing animals to recognise people’s financial situation and allow them to pay in instalments.”

After being reunited, Mr Lane said: “I’m over the moon to have him back. When I went to get him he was laying down in the kennel and as soon as he saw me, the lady let him out and he jumped for joy and started howling.

“It’s unbelievable how much people do care, I am lost for words to know that many people care about him.

“I would like to thank the Evening Telegraph for all its help and say thank you to Mr Eatwell.”