PLANO, Texas -- A 1-year-old dog is recovering at the Windhaven Veterinary Hospital after reportedly being skinned alive.
The female Australian Cattle Dog mix known as "Josephine" (pictured) was suffering from severe injuries to her hindquarters.
According to officials, someone skilled had deliberately skinned the dog.
"I just can't imagine what would do this, other than intentional," veterinarian Dr. Rod Shuffield said.
It reportedly took more than two hours of surgery and 60 stitches to repair Josephine's injuries.
The doctor reportedly said that someone using a very sharp instrument skinned the dog from the base of her tail to the middle of her back.
"It was quite severe," Shuffield. "Two unusual things. One is, whatever cut her was extraordinarily sharp. An, two, I believe that the skin was actually peeled back and then additional cuts were made to remove the skin off the body."
A passerby reportedly found Josephine by a roadside and rushed her to the Wylie Animal Shelter, where she was transferred to the animal hospital.
The dog is currently on antibiotics to fight infection.
If you would like to donate money to help care for Josephine, the Plano Animal Shelter is accepting donations.
