Sturridge denies £22k court claim for missing dog

Daniel Sturridge has taken to social media to refute claims he failed to pay a reward for the safe return of his missing dog.

It comes after a Los Angeles court ordered the former Liverpool striker to pay local musician Foster Washington 30,085 US dollars (£22,400) for finding the lost pet.

The Pomeranian, named Lucci, was stolen from a house in Los Angeles in 2019 with Sturridge pleading for the safe return and offering a reward on social media in July 2019.

Lucci was subsequently found by local musician Washington who shared pictures on social media and helped reunite the pair.

However, court documents have since revealed a default judgment was given against Sturridge after a claim was made the reward was not received.

Sturridge denies the allegations though, claiming others are ‘trying to benefit for their own personal gain’ and the reward has already been paid to the rightful recipient.

Sturridge wrote: “Just to let you know the truth on xmas!