A PUPPY has survived a horrific attack in Dursley that left him with the worst injuries an experienced vet had ever seen.
Rupert, an eight-month-old cavapoo puppy, was severely injured in the shocking incident, which also left owner Linda Kelley with severe cuts to her hand.
They were out for a walk in Dursley when Rupert was attacked by a former racing greyhound.
Rupert was "shaken like a rag doll" by the dog and Linda had to use a hammer to get the puppy out of the greyhound's mouth.
'My coat was absolutely soaked in his blood'
"Rupert's screams will live with me forever,” Linda said.
"A lady came up behind us and I asked if her dog was okay for Rupert to say hello to.
“She said that was fine and the two of them touched noses.
"The next second, the greyhound had Rupert in his mouth and had gone for the kill, shaking him like a rag doll from side to side.
“I was trying to get him free and a man in a nearby house heard my screams for help and came running.
"He had a hammer he had been using to fit a carpet and managed to use the claw of it to prise the dog's mouth open.
“I scooped Rupert up in my arms and a neighbour ran me to the vets.
"When I handed him over to staff, my coat was absolutely soaked in his blood.
“It was just horrific and when I asked if he was going to die, they said they just didn't know."
Due to the gaping wounds and damaged skin, it appeared that Rupert would have to be put to sleep.
However, the young puppy was saved by a specialised team at Vale Referrals in Stinchcombe, which had to manage his wounds for weeks.
"The worst case I've ever seen"
Linda also had to go hospital for treatment, as her hand had been torn open and required numerous further appointments.
“This is the worst case I’ve ever seen and there were several times when we had to ask ourselves if it was kinder to put Rupert to sleep,” said vet Richard Artingstall.
“It was so distressing for our team of vets and nurses.
"We had to be very honest with the owners that he might not make it.
“Thankfully he did start to respond, and we were all ecstatic when he came through it."
Rupert comes home for Christmas
Rupert is still recovering and will require further reconstructive surgery.
But he was allowed to spend his first Christmas with Linda and her husband, which they thought they'd never see.
Vale Referrals advised that the other dog should not be put to sleep but be muzzled instead.
“We are absolutely indebted to all of the team who worked on and looked after Rupert,” added Linda.
“We got regular calls to tell us what was happening, and I dreaded the phone ringing in case it was to tell me he was going to die.”
Vale Referrals is part of My Family Vets, a nationwide network of veterinary practices and specialist hospitals.
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