A dog that survived being almost sliced in half with a sword by a vicious "psycho" is now looking for a loving home after fighting to stay alive.
Five-year-old Sabby made a remarkable recovery after being found with an "horrific injury" which was so deep rescuers could see her bone and needed urgent medical attention.
The small crossbreed was found in a town in Romania where it is thought a local with a "hatred of stray dogs" attacked her.
Frantic rescuers rushed her to the vets where she underwent painful treatment and was eventually brought to the UK to stay with Norfolk charity Safe Rescue for Dogs.
A post on the charity's Facebook page read: "Sabby was found in a town in Romania that is renowned for the poor treatment of street animals.
"She had an horrific injury around her hips and back where some psycho had tried to slice her in half with a sword.
"The injury was open and down to the bone and her recovery took many months.
"The pain she must have endured prior to being rescued and given pain relief cannot even be imagined.
"The fact that she could emerge from this ordeal with any trust at all in humans is nothing short of miraculous."
The act of cruelty was so awful it even made the television news in Romania.
Now two years on, Sabby is at last ready for a new home and is looking for a "patient and understanding" family.
Although Sabby is still weary of men, the charity said she mixes well with other dogs and loves going out on walks.
The charity added: "She is very weary of men and may always be and who on earth could blame her.
"Sabby is now enjoying her walks and starting to enjoy the world around her.
"She will always bear the physical and mental scars of the cowardly act that made her hit the headlines but she is still a sweet and loving little girl who can have a bright and happy future."
Sabby is currently staying with fosterer and charity volunteer Zoe Casey who called her a "cheeky" and "playful" dog.
Zoe said: "She should hate humans, but somehow she doesn't. She's good with my cat, good with my dogs, she's a really nice little dog.
"She is the reason that I do it, she's the reason we all foster and rescue dogs."
Sabby is vaccinated, microchipped and neutered and is now looking for her forever home.
