A PLUCKY Jack Russell is back on all paws and recovering at home after being viciously attacked by another dog.

Smudge, who lives in Winsford with his owners Steve and Claire Roston, needed four hours of life-saving surgery at the Willows Vet Hospital in Hartford after suffering five serious wounds to his chest and belly.

X-rays taken by night duty vet Ian Hopkins, based at Middlewich, also confirmed a collapsed lung and two broken ribs which would have paralysed Smudge if they had been any deeper.

Ian said: "Smudge was brought into the Willows Vet Hospital with a wound to his left chest, but it was only later that his owners realised he had been attacked by another, much bigger dog.

"They had seen Smudge deteriorating as they brought him in."

A chest tube had to be inserted to remove the air that would leak into Smudge's chest while the wounds healed.

But because of his injuries the tube had to be placed further forward - creating a potential risk that Smudge could suffer a heart attack.

Fortunately Smudge was well looked after and is now back at home.

"Smudge was incredibly bright after his ordeal," said Ian.

"After a nine day stay at the Hartford hospital the wounds had healed and the tube could be safely removed.

"But his broken ribs will take several more weeks to heal - he is one incredibly lucky dog."