A one-year-old pug miraculously survived after being stabbed repeatedly during a vicious attack by a dognapping gang.

The pug, named Sid, was with owner Luke and a friend, who was walking his Shih Tzu puppy.

They were approached by a group of three young men in Darenth Country Park, Dartford, around 1pm on Thursday.

The gang initially tried and failed to take the Shih Tzu before turning their attention to Sid.

He was wounded three times, including in the neck, and was rushed to the vet who said they were shocked was alive.

The attack happened the first time Luke walked the pet after he and partner Claire got him in March.

Now they are anxious about taking Sid out for a walk, Claire revealed.

‘(Luke) called me straight after it happened and I just felt sick, I just didn’t know what to do at all,’ she said.

Sid had to undergo surgery and received pain relief medication at the vets.

He is sleeping a lot but should recover with time and rest, KentOnline reports.

But Claire fears he is no longer the same.

‘When he was back yesterday, he was very different, he wasn’t himself at all,’ she said.

‘He was anxious, even when I was trying to stroke him he would flinch.

‘He wouldn’t wag his tail or anything he was just a completely different dog, but I don’t know if that was due to the anaesthetic.’

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Kent Police confirmed they received a report of attempted robbery and have launched an investigation.

The men are described as being aged between 18 and 25.

Two had brown hair and a third had ginger hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting reference 19-0029 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A woman bravely kicked a dognapper in the shin after he snatched the lead from her hand in Darlington, County Durham in February last year.

Weeks later in April, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a new taskforce to tackle ‘vile’ pet crime following a surge in dog thefts during the first Covid lockdown.

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