Good recovery for dog buried alive

A DOG which was buried alive and left for dead is making a speedy recovery after a quick-thinking passer-by came to her rescue.

Athéna was found in the Yvelines on August 1 by a walker, who alerted a veterinary clinic in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret.

The clinic nursed her back to good health before putting her in the care of a welfare association, SOS Dogues de Bordeaux.

Vets posted several photos of Athéna's recovery on Facebook at the weekend. Meanwhile a petition calling for the toughest possible sanctions against her owner has gathered nearly half a million signatures.

Athéna's owner was traced thanks to her tattoo. The 21-year-old man denies burying her and has been questioned by police in Sartrouville.

He is due to appear in court next March on charges of animal cruelty and abuse towards a police officer, and if convicted faces up to two years in jail and a €30,000 fine.