THE owner of a dog who was brutally attacked by thugs and left for dead has finally been able to take her pet home – and she handed over a £1,050 'thank you' to the charity that helped to save him.

Jo Grellier, of Bilbrook, took her three-year-old son Harrison and year-old daughter Imogen to Barnstaple to collect Jack Russell Jack from the North Devon Animal Ambulance charity.

The charity took Jack to Market Vets in Barnstaple after he was found with his throat slashed in a secluded lane near Exmoor Zoo.

They managed to track down Jo after spotting her appeals to find her missing pet and have finally been able to take him back to Bilbrook following successful surgery to remove his front leg.

As reported in the Free Press (June 5), Jack had to have 84 stitches and lost his leg after suffering severe nerve damage in the attack.

"I can honestly say I have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity that we have received from friends, family and the general public," said Jo this week.

And although the North Devon Animal Ambulance (NDAA) offered to pick up all Jack's vet bills, Jo was determined the charity would not be left out of pocket.

She started an online fundraising campaign and was able to present Diana Lewis from the NDAA with a cheque for £1,050 when she collected Jack.

"I cannot thank everyone who has donated to the North Devon Animal Ambulance and I am so glad that after the horrific ordeal that Jack endured, something good has come from it.

"The NDAA has received the recognition they deserve for being such an amazing charity who work tirelessly in an attempt to ensure all animals get a fair chance to survive, whatever the costs!

"I would also like to thank Mr Wilson who initially found Jack in Bratton Fleming and alerted the NDAA in the first place and then drove him in a very critical way to Market Vets in Barnstaple.

"Also Craig the vet who spent hours of his precious time operating on Jack and ensuring he would make the best recovery possible," said Jo.

She was also full of praise for the online charity Dog Lost UK who helped to reunite her with Jack through their website.

"Jack has settled back into family life amazingly well and he is recovering well.

"It's like he has always only had three legs.

"He is happy and fighting fit and loving all the attention and cuddles he has been getting from all of us, especially the children," she said.

Diana said Jack's recovery proved that amazing things could happen if everyone worked together.

"Despite horrendous injuries being inflicted on this little dog, his sheer courage and the kindness of strangers, along with veterinary skill and a small charity's determination not to let helpless animals down, has meant a happy ending to a very distressing story.

"Horrified at the huge expense being incurred by the charity for Jack's surgery and ongoing care, Jo appealed to the public for help by making donations to the charity.

"The joy of the little dog and his family was worth every bit of the love and care given by everyone who worked so hard to save Jack's life and the kind and generous public who gave so willingly," Diana said.