WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

A stray dog that had her snout taped shut so tightly that she needed surgery is doing well despite her horrible scars, rescuers say.

The 15-month-old Caitlyn who was found in North Charleston in South Carolina does not need more surgery after the initial procedure mended her badly mutilated snout.

“Her tongue was in way better condition that we anticipated,” Dr Henri Bianucci told WCIV News.

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“It was initially assessed that we would lose about a third of her tongue, and we sort of revised that estimate to a fourth, but I don’t think she lost an eighth of it,” he said. 

Caitlyn with her mouth taped shut. Photo: Facebook

“Functionally, I think she’ll be able to lap up food and water and do really well,” Dr Bianucci said.

The dog will be in recovery for a week and then will be ready for foster care.

The Chocolate Staffie Mix showed up on a doorstep with her muzzle wrapped tightly in electrical tape, Fox Carolina reports.

The person who found Caitlyn took her to the Charleston Animal Society and she was listed as critical before undergoing treatment on her cheeks and lips.

When Caitlyn was taken in, her snout and tongue were swollen bruised, discoloured and oozing blood.

The dogs owner, William Leonard Dodson, 41, has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty and his bail is set at $50,000.

The accused was ordered to give up a second dog according to police, who told Fox Carolina the man bought the dog for $20 and taped its mouth shut because she wouldn’t stop barking.

Dr Bianucci said even though Caitlyn lost a quarter of her tongue, dogs can compensate for the loss of half of their tongue well enough.