Shocking pictures show the injuries suffered by a much-loved family dog after he was run over by a scrambler bike in a park.
The pet, named Apache, was hit by the motorbike on Friday afternoon in Liverpool as his owner watched in horror.
Mum Olivia Cox, who managed to take a photograph of the suspects on her mobile phone, said her pet had undergone critical surgery, but isn't out of the woods yet.
She told the Liverpool Echo: "He underwent surgery last night and is now recovering at home. But we have been told the next 48 hours are critical.
"The scar to his chest is about 12" long . The vet said she was able to put her whole hand into his chest because the wound was so large.
Warning - distressing images below
"Apache has two drains in his body now and its upsetting that my son will see him like this.
"These yobs need to be caught. There were children in the park on Friday and there could have been a tragedy."
Olivia was walking her two dogs in Camp Hill yesterday afternoon ( Friday) with a friend when yobs tore through the park on three bikes.
Olivia said that a scrambler ran over Apache and the bike stand impaled the English Pointer.
Yesterday Olivia praised police for arriving at the scene so quickly.
Officers believe there was one scrambler and two scooters.
Sergeant Tim Pottle from the MATRIX Roads Policing Unit said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or witnessed the bikes in the Woolton area around the time of the collision.
“I would ask members of the public to check dash cam footage if they were driving in Woolton at around 1.10pm, and local residents and business owners to check CCTV for any evidence of the bikes.
“The illegal use of off-road bikes can cause serious harm, distress and damage to those that live, work and visit our communities, and this incident has seriously injured a dog, leaving the owner and witnesses in some distress.
“We take all information about the use or storage of illegal bikes seriously and are committed to taking positive action on all information given to us.”
Anyone with information on this incident or the use of illegal motorcycles can contact @MerPolCC, 101 quoting reference number 20000721623 or pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
