THE RSPCA is appealing for help after a seven-month-old dog was found in a street with stab wounds.

The Staffordshire-bull terrier cross-breed dog, called Millie, was discovered with injuries to her body, neck, face and ears in Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey.

The horrifying find was made at 3.30am on New Year's Day.

The RSPCA has now launched an appeal for information in the hope of bringing the dog's attacker to justice.

RSPCA spokeswoman Klare Kennett said: "This was a really, really horrible attack.

"She was found just lying in a pool of blood on the pavement. The wounds were so nasty her insides were hanging out.

"It's hard to say exactly how many times she was stabbed but it was repeatedly."

RSPCA Inspector Nicola Middleton said: "Poor Millie was in a terrible state.

"We have followed up several leads as to who she belonged to and where she has been, but we would very much like to know who stabbed her.

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw anyone attacking a dog in this area on New Year's Eve, or anyone with any knowledge at all about what happened to Millie."

The injuries to Millie have already cost the RSPCA £2,000 in vet's bills.

However she is expected to make a full recovery.

Ms Kennett added: "It's going to take a long time for the wounds to completely heal but physically she's otherwise OK.

"However there is a always going to be the possibility that this will affect her mentally and emotionally and make her a nervous dog in future.

"Unfortunately an attack of this nature is not unheard of and we have come across many cases of dogs being stabbed in the past in other parts of the country."

She added that Millie had been micro-chipped by her first owner, but had subsequently been given away to a new home.

The RSPCA hoped that Millie would go back to live with the original owner once she had recovered.

No arrests have been made, but the organisation said there were certain individuals they wanted to speak with.

Anyone with any information about the case can contact the RSPCA in confidence on 03001234999.