New home for stabbed dog left tied to lamppost

A dog that was discovered tied to a lamppost with stab wounds during freezing temperatures is "loving his new life" after being adopted, the RSPCA has said.

Animal rescue officer Baljit Dhamia said he thought Comet, who was found in Bilston in 2024, was going to die.

Dhamia had to "gently coax him" with food at the scene, but he knew he had to "work fast", due to wounds that extended 5cm into the dog's skin.

One of the young mastiff-cross's new owners said on his first night with the couple he cuddled up and they "knew then he trusted us".

The animal welfare charity said it prosecuted a man and he was disqualified from owning all animals for life.

Comet was bleeding and found tethered by his lead to the post in December 2024, the RSPCA said.

After a passerby alerted the charity, Dhamia said he saw Comet had three stab wounds on his back and the dog was "disorientated".

The officer explained he "stroked him and spoke to him to gain his confidence".

"I knew though I was going to have to work fast to get him in a portable kennel in my van to make sure I could safely rush him to the vets," he added.

Dhamia said Comet was tied up by a lead "attached to a prong collar which meant he couldn't move as the metal would dig into him".

The officer, who said he was told Comet had been there overnight, added he restrained the dog while he cut off the collar.

"I rushed him to the hospital which was about 35 minutes away - and it seemed like a really long journey."

Comet was given pain relief and put on a drip at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital, so he could be administered antibiotics, the charity said.

He was later anaesthetised to enable the wound area to be clipped and cleaned without causing pain.

Ebony Poole, from the RSPCA's Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, where he was also treated, said Comet "was just so trusting".

She said the branch had a "home environment" which was aimed at helping the animals adapt to life outside the kennels, "and he would love snuggling up on the sofa even though he's a big boy".

Comet's new owner said: "I saw the story of Comet and really wanted to help him."

"It was difficult taking him home in the car as he cried because he was frightened and had probably never been in a car before.

"I sat with him in the back seat and eventually he put his head on my lap and we bonded."

They added he was interested in the couple's office chairs at home "so we got him one which we placed low and with a blanket on".

"He is often chilling there now."

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