Dog saved from certain death after knife attack

A labrador dog had to have a three-hour veterinary intervention on Sunday night after sustaining a knife attack in yet another case of animal cruelty.

The bleeding dog was found in the Santa Maria estate area of Mellieha and was saved after a resident there rushed it to the emergency vet.

The dog, which had been roaming the area for about a year, was found with multiple wounds, a gashed front leg and a damaged hind leg.

The vet had to insert 28 stitches to heal the ailing dog and the operation saved its life.

"People seem to think it's an easy way of getting rid of your dog by dumping it on the streets," Ron Murphy, who was tending the dog, said.

"This dog doesn't have a bad bone in its body. I don't know what could drive somebody to carry out such a cruel act."

Residents said this was not the first case of animal cruelty in the area. A dog was recently seen walking the area with an illegal rabbit trap biting into its tail.

Mr Murphy fears that another dog, which has also probably been dumped in the area, will suffer the same fate.

Freddie Fenech, chairman of the Association for Abandoned Animals, is now tending the dog, which is about nine years old.

The dog will need constant treatment for a number of weeks before it is restored back to health.

Mr Fenech was clearly disturbed by the incident:

"Police and wardens should constantly be on the lookout for such cases of cruelty. These cases are becoming too common. When are we going to learn?"

Anybody willing to adopt the dog in the coming weeks should call Mr Fenech on 9946 4182.