Bark from the dead; Tiny pet's amazing recovery after fighting dog attack breaks neck 18.

Byline: BY PATRICK MULCHRONE

SCAMPERING joyously around a park, this tiny mutt is a picture of health.

Yet the 12in tall miniature pinscher had his neck broken in a savage attack by another dog just two months ago.

Pint-sized Fudge suffered the near-fatal injury when he was shaken around in the huge jaws of a Japanese Akita fighting dog.

The pup also suffered a broken bone in his back during his horrendous ordeal.

Vets doubted he would survive - but he is now back on all paws and full of life.

Fudge made a complete recovery after being put in a full body cast at veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals.

The Akita had pounced on him as he was out for walkies in Bradford with his owner, who said: "A young lad with a huge dog walked past. Fudge is a friendly little chap so he stopped just for a sniff, as dogs do.

"Without warning, the other dog grabbed him by the throat and started shaking him around like a rag doll.

"I honestly thought he was dead. His body was limp, there were wounds on his neck and he wasn't making a sound."

Fudge's owner, who does not want to be named, rushed his pet to the PDSA's PetAid hospital in the city. Senior veterinary surgeon John Taylor said: "The X-rays showed he had a broken neck, and a broken second vertebra.

"He couldn't stand or use his front legs. The odds of him walking were stacked against him but we weren't going to give up easily."

Fudge's wounds were stitched and he was put in the cast for a month to hold his broken bones in place.

Fudge's owner added: "His recovery has been wonderful. I can't praise PDSA enough."

CAPTION(S):

MEDICAL MARVEL Fudge and, inset, the X-ray of broken back; LUCKY PUP The pet was saved by body cast