with a power tool.

While two of the youngsters reportedly held the puppy, a third tried to cut off the tail, sources told The Royal Gazette .

The SPCA announced yesterday it had started an investigation into the case.

Police are also thought to be making inquiries.

Last night, vet Dr. Maureen Ware told how she treated the animal for shock and amputated the mutilated tail. She described it as one of the most horrifying cases she had come across. "The mind boggles why children would so such a thing.'' The alleged incident occurred just after noon yesterday in the area of Roberts Avenue, Devonshire.

Sources said that two men in a Government truck were passing near the scene when they heard an animal screaming in pain.

The men saw three children -- aged about 15 -- with a form of power tool trying to slice off the tail of a puppy, believed to be six or seven weeks old. Dr. Ware said she had been told the same story.

She said the traumatised puppy was taken yesterday afternoon by two men to Hannover Veterinary Hospital and Kennels in Hamilton, where she works with her husband, Dr. J.K. Cieters, also a vet.

"The animal had obviously suffered, and there had been several failed attempts to sever the tail from the body. It was a very gruesome sight. A puppy which has experienced that kind of thing is traumatised mentally.'' The puppy was agitated and screamed at the gentlest of touches, said Dr. Ware, adding the sight left her and her husband deeply upset.

Dr. Ware explained the puppy was anaesthetised, and then photographs were taken of its tail. "We always need some form of documentation both for a possible prosecution and for identity purposes.'' Fortunately the puppy appeared to have survived its ordeal and was now "resting comfortably''.

"It even ate a good meal and seems to be relatively peaceful.'' Dr. Ware said she and her husband called the SPCA and notified the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. An SPCA spokesperson said: "We are actively investigating the reports.'' Dr. Ware described the case as one of the worst she had come across. "It amounts to gruesome torture,'' she said. "It is certainly, however, not the first case we have experienced of this nature. It is not uncommon to get this form abuse in the central Pembroke area.'' Dr. Ware was wary about speculating on what could drive people to torture an animal in this way. But there were cases of tail docking for commercial reasons.

"It is a barbaric practice,'' she said, pointing out that tail docking was illegal in other countries like Britain, but not so in Bermuda.

She called on dog clubs to take a firm stand against the practice.

Police could not be reached for comment last night.