You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has shown his kind hearted side after appearing to have made a generous donation to Manchester Dogs’ Home.

The striker is thought to have given a five-figure sum to the home after 60 dogs were killed in a blaze a week ago today.

Staff at the charity suspect the dog-loving Italian is behind the generous handout and have revealed how the star previously volunteered for them during his time at Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Madcap Mario offered his free time walking abandoned dogs for the dogs’ home while his pet pooch was in quarantine in Italy ahead of a move to Manchester.

And an anonymous donation made via the Manchester Evening News’ Justgiving page has now piqued the curiosity of charity bosses, who are now investigating whether the newly-acquired Liverpool striker is the benefactor.

Jane Smith, a spokeswoman for the dogs’ home, said: “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.

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

A representative of the £60,000-a-week star was tonight unable to confirm whether the he had made the donation.

However, Balotelli’s love for dogs is well-known among the football elite .

He once even requested his pet dog join him during the Manchester City FA Cup parade in 2011.

City officials were reportedly shocked at the frontman’s unusual request, but it was nevertheless granted and Balotelli celebrated the club’s first major trophy in 35 years with his trusted companion.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The young Italian is devoted to black Labrador Lucky and regularly posts pictures of him on his Twitter feed.

Lucky has even created a following of his own, with a fan Twitter page boasting more than 1,500 followers.

But the footballer had to wait six months to bring his pet over from Italy following his £24m move to Manchester City because of quarantine restrictions in the UK.

Balotelli first visited Manchester Dogs’ Home in a bid to replace Lucky when the quarantine issue was raised, but ultimately decided to wait until his faithful friend was allowed into the country.

Since the landmark dogs home was devastated by fire last week, dog lovers from around the world have given generously to help.

As well as the five-figure sum suspected to have come from Mario, a large number of other ‘significant’ donations have been made to the Dogs Home since the disaster, including a £25,000 pledge by X-Factor judge Simon Cowell.