Star, the dog that survived being shot in the head and buried alive, is receiving homing offers from far and wide - as far as the United States and Germany.

Animal welfare officer Janice Chetcuti said the Animal Welfare Department has been inundated with offers from people wanting to adopt Star, rescued near Għar Ħasan last Thursday.

Star, as the dog was named by the animal welfare officers, was operated and 40 gunshot pellets were removed from her head.

Ms Chetcuti said that the waiting list of people wanting to adopt Star was very long. However, once the dog was fit to leave hospital, it would first be offered to the person who made the initial homing request. The person who had made that offer, she said, had continued to check on the dog's progress.  

Other callers are being encouraged to adopt one of the other 110 dogs up for adoption.

Callers from Germany who contacted the department today are considering the option.

Ms Chetcuti said that Star was slowly getting better and was being taken for walks. 

It was being seen by a dog behaviourist who has also offered further sessions with Star once the dog was  homed.

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition asking for justice for Star and more than 8,500 joined a Facebook page to show support towards the female mixed-breed that captured the nation's heart.

A woman from Canada contacted the Animal Welfare Department to send Star a personalised blanket and the Amsterdam Fire Brigade wrote in to ask how it was doing.

Some people suggested setting up a trust fund that could be used as a reward to catch the perpetrator.

Vascas Jewellers are offering a €250 gift voucher to anyone with information that could lead to an arrest.

Many have called for harsher punishments and longer jail terms in such horrifying cases. By law, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined between €233 and €46,500, or jailed for a maximum of one year.

A legal notice to be published this year will raise the fines to between €500 and €50,000 but the maximum jail term will remain unchanged.

The silent protest will take place on June 4 in Valletta at 5 p.m.

The case is being investigated by the police. Anyone who has information can call the police on 2122 4001, the Animal Welfare Department on 2590 4132/2590 4113 or send an e-mail to animalwelfare.mrra@gov.mt.

The department can also be contacted on the same numbers to adopt a dog.