Story By: Gheorghi Caraseni, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

Video Credit: CEN/@asociatia.freelifesm

These photos show the horrific injuries of stray dog that had half its face burned off with a firework and its subsequent recovery at a caring animal shelter who have already found the animal a forever family.

Lia the dog is being looked after by members of the ‘FreeLife’ association in the city of Satu Mare in the north-western Romanian county of the same name.

The shelter said the former stray will live with a family who has already agreed to adopt it.

FreeLife spokeswoman Carmen Fratsila said: “Lia’s health has stabilised and she feels good, but she is going to need further treatment.

“As soon as she is ready, we will take her to the family who has decided to adopt her.

“There were many families who wanted to adopt Lia, but we chose this one because they live in Satu Mare and we can keep an eye on how she is doing.

“It was very important for us that the family had all the necessary conditions to provide Lia with a good life.”

Fratsila added that Lia is six years old and had always been a stray.

According to local media, the dog was found with its face disfigured by a firework in a local cemetery.

A police spokesperson said: “There aren’t any CCTV cameras in that area, so the culprits have not been identified yet.

“An animal abuse case has been opened and if we found those responsible, they could face between three months and a year in prison.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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