Dog lover Balotelli rumoured to have donated to burnt out Dogs' Home

Controversial Italian footballer Mario Balotelli is believed to have made a large donation to Manchester Dogs' Home, which was badly damaged in a fire earlier this month.

A donation described as “a hugely generous five figure sum” was made to the justgiving page set up in the aftermath of the arson attack and staff at the home are convinced Balotelli is behind it.

The striker was a familiar figure at the home when he played for Manchester City. His own dog, Lucky, had to spend 6 months in quarantine before joining his owner in the UK.

Balotelli missed him a lot and was a frequent visitor to the home while he waited for Lucky to join him, spending time with the abandoned dogs.

Spokeswoman for the home Jane Smith told the Mirror about his visits.

“Mario owns a dog but it was in quarantine in Italy so he used to come and walk all the dogs at the dogs’ home,” said Smith.

“We can’t yet confirm whether he made a donation but he is known as a big dog lover so it would make sense.”

Hat tip: The Mirror