A bulldog dog was found left in the street with a horrific wound as if someone had tried to cut her ear off with a machete.
The family pet, named Ruby, was clinging to life with blood pouring from a gash in the side of her head.
She had run off from her home the day she was found with with severe injuries.
A grieving man who was on his way to make arrangements for his father’s cremation came across the badly injured American Bulldog in Priory Road, near Stanley Park in Anfield.
He pulled over thinking she had been hit by a car.
The man, a dog owner himself, managed to get the injured animal into his car and rushed her to the PDSA in Kirkdale for emergency treatment.
Staff were able to clean and stitch up the wound to stabilise the dog and then they reported the matter to the RSPCA.
Rachel Henderson, the inspector who was sent to investigate, has now placed the nine-year-old dog in the care of the RSPCA where she is receiving more medication and recuperating from her ordeal.
The inspector is keen to find out who launched the attack on the defenceless pet called Ruby – whose owner has been traced.
She believes the attack happened shortly before Ruby was found collapsed at 9am on October 15.
Rachel said: ‘We believe Ruby was attacked with a machete which is what caused this horrific wound and I am keen to find the person responsible for this vile incident.
‘We have no idea why she was subjected to this horror – but we have traced her owner who said she ran off from her nearby home at about 12.30am on the Thursday when she was found.
‘The dog was placed into the care of the RSPCA where she is receiving more medication and recuperating from her ordeal.
‘I believe, looking at the blood loss, the attack was carried out not long before she was found and am appealing for anyone who may have seen anything on this busy street or have any information to contact me.
‘Someone may have CCTV or dashcam footage which might help us identify the person responsible.
‘It is almost like someone wanted to cut her ear off. It must have been terrifying for her and caused a lot of pain and suffering.
‘Ruby is such a lovely friendly pet and despite the traumatic ordeal she has gone through she continues to wag her tail at staff and when I went to assist her she was just trying to lick my face.
‘I am just grateful to the man who found her and took her to the PDSA as he helped save her life. If she was left much longer she could have died.
‘It must have been hard for him at the time as he was on his way to make arrangements for his father’s cremation.’
The dog will continue to be cared for by the RSPCA until she is ready to go home.’
Anyone with information about the incident should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.