THE sad ‘tail’ of a poorly Jack Russell has touched the hearts of Tele readers — and the pup will now get a lifesaving operation.

Erin Leith made a heartfelt plea for help to remove a tumour from her dog Winnie’s head after the family used up all their pet insurance on tests.

The 19-year-old student shared her story in the Telegraph and within days they had smashed a £2,000 fundraising target, with money pouring in from Inverclyde and as far afield as Australia.

Erin, of Bannockburn Street, is overwhelmed by the response.

She said: “We’re delighted, just amazed by the generosity of people.

“We’re going to book a consultation with the vet and get the operation done as soon as possible.

“This makes a world of difference.”

The lump on Winnie’s head was growing, putting pressure on her brain and her eye socket and it could prove fatal if it is not removed.

Erin lives with her parents Brian and Helen, sister Amy and brother Andrew, and their other two dogs Max and Rosie and they feared that she wouldn’t see out the year.

Erin, who has had Winnie since she was only 12 weeks old, said: “This means the lump won’t affect her in the long-term. 

“She is a lively pup and now she should have a long and happy life.”

The family’s £3,000 pet insurance fund was wiped out after paying for a biopsy and a CT scan.

In desperation, Erin set up an online appeal and donations flooded in after the article appeared in Friday’s Tele.

She said: “It was fantastic seeing the amount going up and up, unreal.

“When we were looking at the page the amount was getting higher and higher.

“I don’t think we would have raised that amount if the story hadn’t been in the Telegraph.

“It made a big difference.

“I want to thank each and every person who made a donation for their generosity.”