WARNING DISTRESSING IMAGES: ‘Lovely friendly pet’ Ruby was close to death when she was found by a driver with wounds so severe he thought she had been hit by a car

Horrific images show an American Bulldog whose head was split open by a machete.

The wound was so severe and the poor pup so covered in blood that a driver at first thought he had been hit by a car when he found him.

An RSPCA inspector is desperate to find whoever committed the “vile” act on Ruby the dog, who is believed to have run off from her home, the Liverpool Echo was told.

Rachel Henderson said Ruby’s wound was “horrific” – and fears the evil attacker was trying to cut the dog’s ear off.

The “lovely friendly pet” would have been in terror and extreme pain and suffering – but is wagging her tail at veterinary staff who saved her life and tried to lick Rachel’s face.