The honorary feline mayor of an Alaskan town has survived an assassination attempt by a dog.
Ginger tom Stubbs was left with a punctured lung and fractured sternum after the attack in Talkeetna on Saturday night, the Associated Press reveals.
He has already endured three hours of surgery.
Mayor Stubbs is recovering in Big Lake-Susitna Veterinary Hospital in Talkeetna, Alaska
His owner Lauri Stec tells KTUU: “Right now they have him very heavily sedated because he’s in so much pain. They probably won’t pull the chest tubes until tomorrow.”
Stec added she planned to file a report against the animal, telling the channel: “As far as I’m concerned, he needs to go away.”
Mayor Stubbs received his title shortly after his birth in 1997. Stec, a restaurant owner, is appealing for help to pay his vet bills via an Indiegogo website.
‘Writing’ on his Facebook page, Mayor Stubbs said: “Thank you everyone for you well wishes during my recovery.
“While at this point in time it is impossible to know whether my attack was politically motivated, I do hope the government will seriously consider providing me with some Secret Service protection in the future to assist in preserving my remaining 8 lives.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to continue leading the great town of Talkeetna onwards to brighter tomorrows.”