Family dog Bodie is up for the title of PDSA Pet'¨Survivor after terrifying attack
Eight-year-old Bodie, from Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, was left with some of the worst injuries his vet had ever seen following the vicious and unprovoked attack.
He endured several major operations and months of treatment, but is now well on the road to recovery and is up against five other plucky pets for the coveted title of PDSA Pet Survivor 2016.
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Hide AdThe competition, run in association with PDSA Petsurance, recognises pets’ incredible survival spirit, the love and devotion of their owners and the dedication of the veterinary teams who helped save them.
Bodie was entered into the competition by his owner Natascha Relf who said: ‘My son Khaian was returning from his usual walk with Bodie, who was on his lead, when a loose dog came out of nowhere, latched on to his shoulder and wouldn’t let go.
‘Khaian was able to fight the other dog off, but Bodie slipped his collar and ran away, terrified. I opened the door and incredibly, Bodie was sitting on the doorstep. His skin was completely ripped off in several places – it looked like his abdomen was hanging out.’
Bodie was rushed to Priors Leaze Veterinary Centre at Nutbourne, but they didn’t think he could survive such devastating injuries. His front leg was degloved from shoulder to elbow and his back leg was torn near the groin. He underwent a five-hour operation.
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Hide AdBodie’s injuries were so bad his wounds wouldn’t heal and his treatment continued at the PDSA Pet Hospital in Portsmouth, where he had several further operations.
Natascha added: ‘The wounds have finally healed, although Bodie still isn’t 100 per cent. He’s quite anxious around strange dogs now, understandably, so we’re taking things really slowly.’
The PDSA Pet Survivor 2016 winner will be decided by public vote via the charity’s website – pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor.