Our earlier feel-good tale of a pooch who survived an Alabama tornado gives way to this gut-wrenching-but-miraculous story (via Newser) about a dog in Malta who survived being bound, shot in the head and buried alive.

The survival story of the mixed-breed female dubbed Star has rallied animal lovers worldwide who are calling for harsher penalties for cruelty and abuse. The Times of Malta writes that almost 1,000 people had signed an online petition seeking justice for Star and that more than 7,000 joined a Facebook page to show support. Someone also offered a gift card for information leading to the arrest of the abuser.

The paper explains what happened:

Disturbing images showed the state in which Star was found on Thursday in Birżebbuġa on the way to Għar Ħasan. Welfare officers went to a field nearby to investigate a report of three ill-treated dogs. There they heard the sound of muffled whimpering that led them to a wooden plank held in place by part of a tree trunk. When they lifted the plank they came across the nose of a buried dog poking out of the soil. As they dug out the dog they found it had been shot in the head, its snout had been tied shut and all four legs were bound together. Star, named by welfare officers, was then taken to the animal hospital where over 40 lead pellets were removed from her head during an operation.

At last count the Malta Animal Welfare Department had received more than 20 offers to adopt Star, who is recovering slowly at the Ta' Qali animal hospital.

Sadly, her case is not unique.

"We have another 110 dogs that also went through bad experiences and need a home," said Janice Chetcuti, an animal welfare officials. "Maybe people can help them."

A silent protest is planned for June 4 in Valletta, capital of the Mediterranean archipelago. You can contact animal welfare officials here.