A dog was left fighting for its life after being found with stab wounds in Chatham.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was reported to the dog warden before being taken to vets in Gillingham for life saving treatment earlier this month.

It is thought the dog received multiple wounds to its abdomen, shoulder and head.

But life-saving surgery might never have been performed without help from Last Chance Animal Rescue Centre, which paid for the £2,500 operation and are now caring for the dog, dubbed Evie.

Trustee Denise Dawes said vets had phoned a number of rescue charities and before finding Last Chance Animal Rescue Centre.

"They managed to save her," she added. "She's getting over her surgery and we're hoping that she will make a full recovery.

"As far as I know they haven't found who is responsible, which is worrying because they're still out there and could do it again."

She said the deepest wound was to the stomach which caused a large loss of blood and infection was a major concern.

"It was clearly deliberate," she added. "Apparently she was stabbed from behind.

"She's a lovely-natured dog so it's such a shame; and I'm just so pleased we could help."

The charity is calling on anyone with information about the attack to contact police.