A vet is warning that a dog owner who beat his pet so badly it could have died must be caught.

Graham Blow treated the terrier cross-breed, named Holly by her carers, at the Bridge Veterinary Surgery in Pontllanfraith, Caerphilly county.

He said the dog had some of the worst injuries he had ever seen, including a broken jaw and three broken ribs.

The attack in Cefn Fforest, Blackwood, was eventually halted by a passer-by. Police have appealed for information.

Mr Blow said: "When she came to us she had some of the worst injuries I have ever seen in a dog.

"Her lower jaw was shattered, she had three broken ribs, serious concussion, and severe swelling in the left side of her abdomen.

I have every reason to suppose that if this bloke isn't dealt with... he'll go on to harm other animals and probably people too
Graham Blow, vet

"Dogs, even little dogs, are remarkably tough, so the ferocity which would have been needed to inflict such injuries on her is terrifying.

"Someone with that level of anger needs to be caught because the same attack on a human could easily, even probably, have killed them.

"Bones will heal in time, but with the internal injuries she'd suffered, we weren't sure if we could save her, and even if we could, whether it would have been the kindest thing to do."

But he said the swelling stabilised and she began to turn the corner, and he was now hopeful Holly would make a full recovery, "physically if not mentally".

The attack took place at about 1500 GMT on 30 November.

It was witnessed by a member of the public who tried to intervene.

'Dangerous person'

He was verbally and physically threatened but thanks to his persistence, the attacker eventually threw down Holly's lead and ran off.

The witness described the attacker as about 6ft 3in (1.9m), slim to average build, in his twenties, with fair, light brown or dark blond hair. He had a local accent.

Holly was released by vets this week, and is now being cared for by a foster family found through the Caerphilly council dog warden.

Mr Blow fears they may have difficulty re-homing her.

"She is extremely wary around men, and it's possible that she's suffered some brain damage, as she can be totally non-responsive for minutes or hours at a time," he said.

"There's certainly physical evidence that this wasn't the first beating which Holly had suffered, so I have every reason to suppose that if this bloke isn't dealt with, in whatever way, he'll go on to harm other animals and probably people too."

Gwent Police said they would like to speak to anyone who may be able to identify the owner.

A spokesperson said: "We understand that people may be afraid to identify this dangerous person, but they can provide us with any information they may have anonymously through the 101 non-emergency police line, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

Source: BBC News