AN ABERPORTH couple have reached their fund-raising goal to bring a stray dog back from southern Italy, where they rescued him from drowning and malnourishment.

Hedydd Llewelyn, 25, and Sam Trevor, 30, were in Otranto while travelling around southern Italy and Sicily for two weeks, when they came across the dog — thought to be a Bracco Italiano — eating out of rubbish bins while at a secluded beach deep in the forest.

Hedydd said the dog looked underweight and dehydrated, and after scrambling down some steep rocks to reach the sea water to try to get a drink, he fell in and was drowning.

Hedydd, who is also an RNLI lifeguard in south Ceredigion during the summer months, jumped in and carried the dog out of the sea and back up from the perilous rocks, after which he collapsed with exhaustion.

The couple were originally appealing for £2,000 to bring the dog home, but thanks to some kind volunteers in Italy and Greece, the target was lowered to £1,000, which they met earlier this week.

Hedydd and Sam will pick up any extra costs.

Hedydd said on her Facebook page: “Thank you all for your generous donations. I never thought we would raise so much so quickly! You have been amazing!"