A cavapoo which was mauled in a vicious attack is on the mend.
Hugo, two-and-a-half, was brutally attacked by two dogs in Kemp Town on Wednesday morning.
He was bitten on his neck, and “shaken like a ragdoll”, according to witnesses.
A witness said: “The attacking dog carried Hugo’s body around like a dead rabbit.
“His body was floppy and lifeless. Everyone thought he was dead.”
Remarkably, Hugo survived and is now on the mend.
He was taken into Coastway Vets in Freshfield Way, Kemp Town, on Wednesday morning but could not be operated for several hours because vets feared he was too weak to be anaesthetised.
Owner Louise and her partner first visited Hugo on Thursday.
His eyes appeared bloodshot, and he looked “awful”, according to Louise.
Louise said: “He looked horrific, but we are just so glad he is alive.
“It is a miracle.”
Her partner, who did not wish to be named, said: “On Wednesday night, it was life or death for Hugo.
“We thought we would wake up to find out he hadn’t made it through the night.
“The call on Thursday morning was the hardest I have ever had to make, and we are so amazed that he is alive.”
Because of the severity of the injuries Hugo sustained, he is staying at the vets until they are sure he is safe to return home.
Louise and her partner visited Hugo again on Friday.
She said: “He is very weak and tired. He is not hugely responsive either.
“He mustered a lick and then curled onto the mat and slept.
“He is very heavily drugged on strong painkillers.”
Hugo was covered in the dog shirt so that Louise and her partner not have to see all of the stitching and bruising.
There is still a risk of infection and vets are worried abscesses could form because of the wounds.
The couple have been told that Hugo will be at the vets for a while.