A heroic dog suffered horrendous injuries when when he ran through flames to wake up his owners and rescue them from their burning home.

Chico suffered severe burns to his face and body and the couple he saved are asking for donations to help pay for his treatment.

The canine hero leapt out of his kennel and began barking when a short circuit started a fire in the middle of the night at a house in Carelmapu, in the Los Lagos region of Chile.

Chico (pictured) suffered horrific burns to his face and body when he selflessly ran into a burning house to rescue his owners

As his owners - a married couple who adopted him six years ago - slept, Chico ran through the flames which had burnt down the front door and raced up to their bedroom.

Woken from their slumber the couple managed to escape through a back door but Chico's fur and skin were burnt off and he suffered gruesome welts on his body and face.

He has undergone five surgical cleans but it will be another month before he can return to his owners.

The Chilean charity, Independent Animal Administration (GIA), is seeking donations to help the couple pay for the costs of his treatment.

Chico (pictured) has undergone five surgical cleans and is in a veterinary hospital. It will be at least a month before he can return home