Missing dog Barney found after social media appeal hits 70,000 views

Police launched a social media campaign to track down missing Barney

A dog that ran off after its elderly owner died in a road accident has been found following a huge social media campaign.

Barney, a three-year-old cockapoo, was injured and disappeared after the car crash which killed Jennifer Lowden, 72, on 27 January.

The pooch was last seen at the site of the incident on the A374 on the outskirts of Torpoint in south east Cornwall.

An online appeal launched by Devon and Cornwall Police to find Barney was then viewed more than 70,000 times and shared by over 1,600 people.

His tragic disappearance quickly captured the hearts of the public under the hashtag #findbarney.

Estate agent Tean Gardiner found the dog "bedraggled but alive" earlier today near Home Farm in Wilcove, and Barney has since been reunited with his family.

PC Jonny Williams, of Torpoint Police, said: "Awesome news and so many people should be proud. The family are so pleased."