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Ridgeback Cross, Lincoln - Source: ONE News -
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An elderly dog is recovering at Wellington SPCA after it was deliberately set on by two pit bulls in Porirua on Monday.
At midday, Lincoln, a 14-year-old ridgeback cross, was attacked by the pit bulls in Whitirea Park at Shelly Bay.
Lincoln was stolen from his Titahi Bay home early Monday morning and it appeared he was taken to be used as a bait dog, SPCA animal welfare inspector Ben Lakomy says.
A witness who rang police says the two pit bulls were let off their chains and set on Lincoln.
After the elderly dog tried to defend himself against one of the dogs, one of the owners tried to break Lincoln's legs by pulling them apart.
The dogs were "ripping" into Lincoln, the witness, who wished to remain anonymous says.
"It was disgusting to let the other dogs attack the old dog like that," she says.
"I've got dogs and I'd hate them to be used like this."
As more people started arriving at the park, the pit bull owners took their dogs and left.
There were about five people involved in the attack, the witness says.
When police and animal control staff arrived, Lincoln had to be coaxed out of a toilet block where he was hiding and was taken to the vet to have his wounds stapled shut.
Lincoln's owners was found and they have visited him at Wellington SPCA's vet hospital, Wellington SPCA spokeswoman Lisa Snow says.
Lincoln was having difficulty walking and has soreness in his legs.
The next few days will be crucial for Lincoln as vets fight to stop his wounds getting infected, Snow says.
Wellington SPCA is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the people responsible.
