A pitbull left clinging to life after a brutal knife attack while it was tethered at its kennel is now a picture of health - one year after vets fought to bring him back from the brink of death.

Max, or Maxwell as he is now known, has doubled his weight and is enjoying the love of a caring family after months of recovery at the hands of veterinary surgeon Dr. Maureen Ware-Cieters.

His owners Jan and Ivan Swan, of Pembroke, said Maxwell, who has been with them since February, had settled into his new life and was enjoying the company of their four other dogs, including a tiny white Bichon Frise named Fluffy.

Mrs. Swan said: "When we got Maxwell, he was at about 64lbs, but now he is at 78lbs, and he is looking great.

"He lost an eye in the attack, but apart from that he is doing very well and seems to be very happy and content. He's not top dog in the house, but he looks after everybody and is very loveable. He has come an awful long way since last October."

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