How the much loved puppy was stolen, fed drugs, then had his legs and neck broken before being set on fire and dumped at a rubbish tip still sends shivers down the spine of an RSPCA inspector. Miraculously, Chunky survived his appalling ordeal and has now been reunited with his shocked owner. Yet for RSPCA inspector Caroline Doe the haunting image of the tiny dog terrified and depressed after the shocking treatment will never vanish as these before and after pictures reveal.

Chunky was lucky to survive after the disgusting torture he recieved

This is a much healthier Chunky after recovering from his injuries

The RSPCA was alerted to Chunky's plight after he had was abandoned near a rubbish tip in Thanet, Kent, and accusations began to surface on Facebook in February. Investigations soon revealed the puppy, less than a year old, had been stolen by four teenagers who had then tortured him for several hours before leaving him for dead. Luckily, Chunky was found by a passerby.

The defendants may have been young and confessed to being under the influence of drugs but the cruelty they inflicted on this poor dog was extreme, barbaric and inexcusable RSPCA Inspector Caroline Doe

After the youths - none of whom can be named - were sentenced and banned from keeping animals for five years, Inspector Doe described the case as the "most disturbing case I have ever dealt with - by an absolute mile." She added: "These youths admitted feeding Chunky drugs, kicking and punching him, and wringing and breaking his neck before dumping him. They also said they set fire to his face and eyes after lighting a deodorant aerosol can. The whole thing sends shivers down my spine.

"The defendants may have been young and confessed to being under the influence of drugs but the cruelty they inflicted on this poor dog was extreme, barbaric and inexcusable. "Chunky was found with a broken leg and neck, and with burns all over his face and eyes. He must have suffered horrendously for hours as the senseless torture took place for the amusement of these boys." What was perhaps even worse was the fact Chunky suffered for days after he was dumped; literally, left for dead on his own to wander next to a fast road. It is a miracle he survived. I will never forget how terrified and depressed he was when I first saw him." The injuries were so severe that despite the fantastic veterinary care and medication he was on, it was unable to numb all of the pain, and he suffered for at least six days, according to veterinary experts."

RSPCA had to work for days to save Chunky