A DOG lover's faith in human nature was restored after his wandering pet was brought home. Jasper the seven-year-old Alsatian went walkabout from his home in Arnold Street, Halliwell, last Wednesday morning. Worried owner John Barnard said the inquisitive pooch had crawled under the gate in the back yard at 8am and gone exploring the back roads of Bolton.

The family scoured the streets on Jasper's normal walkies route, and in a nearby park, and in each place they were approached by different people who said they had seen the Alsatian, which was wearing a distinctive collar and identity disk.

Later that night, as the family were sitting down to tea, a car pulled up - with a tired-looking Jasper in the back seat!

Mr Barnard said: "We'd like to thank all the people involved, especially the nice couple who brought him home, who wouldn't accept anything from us.

"The whole family sends their heartfelt wishes to you all. You have really restored our faith in human nature.

"Jasper is now home and well and after a good feed and a rest is back to his old self."

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