Stabbing, Shovel Attack Leaves Dog Needing 1,000 Stitches

LOS ANGELES (AP) - An animal rescue group says a dog that required more than 1,000 stitches after being stabbed and beaten is recovering in Los Angeles.

Police said Monday that the pit bull mix named Spartacus was cut with a knife and hit with a shovel in South Los Angeles by a person most likely acting in self-defense.

The Ghetto Rescue Foundation says veterinarians closed severe wounds to the animal's head, neck, ears, mouth and torso and he's expected to make a full recovery.

Police say their investigation is showing the attack was not animal cruelty but self-defense from a dog that was loose and in attack mode.

They say several independent witnesses have corroborated that account, but didn't give more details or indicate who the person was who injured the dog.