Rescued dog Maeve who was the victim of a brutal axe attack.

Dog recovering from surgery after surviving axe attack in Offaly

A dog is recovering from a serious operation on her head following what is believed to be a gruesome blow with an axe which the animal was left for dead in Tullamore.

The dog, named Maeve, was found staggering along the road following the attack and was treated by a local vet before being rushed to Southview Veterinary Hospital in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

The My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) service is based in Kildare which has a charity shop in Edenderry rescued Maeve and said that they were “beyond upset” and “angry” following the vicious attack.

They added: “Someone tried to murder her (Maeve) with an axe to the head. A miracle happened and she got away, staggered into a lovely person's garden and we rushed her to Southview Veterinary Hospital. “

Maeve is recovering well following her ordeal and was described as an “unbelievable trooper” and a “hero” by My Lovely Horse Rescue.

MLHR co-founder Martina Kenny said that when Maeve was found after the attack by a local woman “she thought maybe she had been shot or hit over the head.”

"Her head was sliced in the middle and it was black because the blood had dried into it," said Martina.

Maeve was brought to Southview Veterinary Hospital following the attack and the vets said that whoever attacked Maeve meant to kill her.

Martina said that “a miracle happened and Maeve managed to flee from her assailant. The two-year-old dog is recovering from a recent operation on her head to tighten the stitches because the wound was in such a delicate area, taking up a large part of her head.

Maeve was rescued by MLHR last December and has been at the veterinary hospital for treatment ever since.

Martina said that Maeve is “doing really well” at the moment.

“She's doing amazing. The vet actually said she's an absolute superdog. She said she's just an easy patient so that's fantastic.”

A woman named Belinda Morgan had a Wonder Woman cape made for the dog with Marvellous Maeve written on it.

Martina explained: “Her story seems to have touched so many. She's not the first dog it's happened to.”

The co-founder of the rescue service said that Maeve was “skinny” and “very scared” when she was taken in by MLHR. “She wouldn't let a human touch her at first.” Martina is hopeful that Maeve will be able to leave Southview Veterinary Hospital in the next week once her stitches are out.

“She'd obviously been treated really badly from day one. That is no more, she has a new life now.” The local woman who found Maeve has also offered to adopt her.

MLHR needs constant upgrades and maintenance and they are trying to raise €200,000 to ensure that they can keep rescuing those in need. They require more shelters and more fencing to ensure that every animal who joins the MLHR family will have the best chance at a life worth living.

To donate to My Lovely Horse Rescue visit donate.mylovelyhorserescue.com.