Missing half her face, her tail and a leg, it was considered “kinder” to put rescue dog Bonnie down.

But her loving owner - who fears her injuries may have been caused by deliberate cruelty - is determined to give her a new lease of life.

Kate Comfort, 26, took in the collie cross when she was found abandoned as a puppy on railway tracks last year.

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Such were the extent of her injuries, it was initially thought she had been struck by a train.

But vets in Canterbury told Kate they may have been inflicted by a twisted animal abuser.

“She was presumed to have been hit by a train but our vet told us that it could have been caused by a human,” she said.

“In Romania, where she was found, people apparently burn dogs’ noses to make them better guard dogs.

“When I saw Bonnie I just had to bring her home.

“People were saying put her down, it’ll be kinder. It’s really upsetting.

“If only they could see her now and see how happy she is.”

Dementia support worker Kate took in Bonnie from the Beacon Animal Rescue Centre in Canterbury, adding to three dogs she has already rescued.

Bonnie’s needs are most pressing, with the stump of her lost leg often causing her excruciating pain.

Kate now hopes to raise enough money to fund facial reconstruction and a prosthetic leg - but the bill could top £6,500.

The surgery on her face will involve removing some of her teeth and pulling the skin over the top of her mouth.

Kate, of Weston Mews in Snowdown, said: “Some of the kids can get a bit freaked out when I’m walking her.

“People and children think she looks aggressive. One time this guy said to me ‘get her away from me, she’s ugly’.”

“But luckily more people are sympathetic. I don’t care about how she looks and neither does my husband, Ross, but raising this money will really benefit her.”

Kate and Ross have so far raised £1,700. To donate visit the JustGiving page here.