A £2,000 reward has been put up to find the killers who drowned a cocker spaniel in a Hampshire river.

Daily Echo readers were so horrified when we revealed how the dog has been drowned in the River Test after having a 10kg weight tied to its lead that they pledged money to help catch its killer.

Now the Daily Echo has joined our readers and put in an additional £500 reward to bring the pot up to £2,000.

Our chilling picture of the dog being pulled out of the river provoked a public outcry from dog lovers who want to see justice done and the culprits put behind bars.

Among those who have put up cash is Colin Stokes, of Hampton Lane, Blackfield, who has offered £500 of money put by for his retirement to help catch whoever is responsible.

The grandfather-of-four, who owns a Yorkshire terrier cross Westie rescued from an abusive owner, said: "It just upset me to see that someone could do that.

"I've got some savings so I thought why not try and tempt people to report on these people. I just hope we can catch these people and they get a life ban from having any animals.

"They've got something wrong with them to do that. There's many ways that you can get out of owning a dog today."

Dog lover Joyce Boella, 83, from Durley, offered £100. She said: "I've got two dear dogs of my own and I can't think how anyone could do such a dreadful dreadful thing.

"Every time I think of it now I feel just full of terrors."

Linda Turner, 58, from North East Road, Shirley, matched the £100 and added: "Money loosens people's tongues so as long as the perpetrators are caught it doesn't matter how much it costs.

"If there's a fund there it may make someone speak up because somebody's got to know."

The results of a post-mortem on the dog are expected early next week.

RSPCA spokesman Lucy Harding urged anyone who knows someone whose dog has gone missing or who just thinks they might know something relating to the crime to call the animal welfare group.

Anyone with any information can contact the RSPCA on 0870 555 5999 or the police on 0845 045 4545.

Do you know who killed the Cocker Spaniel or want to contribute to reward. Call the Daily Echo newsdesk on 023 8042 4522.

The reward will be paid to any person or persons who supplies the information which leads to the successful conviction of whoever drowned the dog.