THE caring foster mum of a dog who was left for dead on a Turkish beach after being shot in the head is appealing for people to help raise money for a life saving operation for the pet.

Margaret Mallett, of Defford, regularly fosters farm dogs but was so moved when she heard Jack's tale she immediately took him in.

On Monday (February 2) Jack will undergo surgery to remove bone embedded behind his eye, which has been infected and his foster family are hoping to raise money to fund the operation.

Mrs Mallett said: "When Jack came up last year I saw him and thought I have got to foster him. He was a street dog in Turkey. He was apparently shot and left for dead.

"A Dutch family on holiday paid for him to have his eye removed but they had to leave him on the beach. But locals began attacking him because they don't like disfigured dogs, so he was put in a pound for his safety."

Through the work of Friends of the Animals RCT, based in Wales, Jack was brought back to the UK in time for Christmas and has since undergone a number of operations to remove infected bone shards from his eye socket.

Mrs Mallett said Jack was now house trained and well settled into life in Worcestershire.

"This dog has fought so hard to survive we need to do everything to ensure he can now live life to the full," she said.

"Jack has an absolutely amazing survival instinct. In spite of everything he has been through he is such a cuddly dog."

The latest operation is set to cost around £1,500, but fundraisers have already raised around half that amount.

"We are about half way towards the costs already as we were raising money for the CT scan, which has now been completed for a reduced cost," said Mrs Mallett.

"Langford Vet's referral at Bristol have agreed to cap the operation cost at £1,500 regardless of what has to be done.

"The 'Guess How Many Biscuit's In Jack's Tin' is now being run to fund the operation. Anne Worrall of Pershore Pet and Livestock, based in Pershore Market kindly agreed to have the tin in her shop, yesterday alone we raised nearly £50.

"The tin will be in the shop again next week, and subject to Jack being well enough following his operation Jack will be in the shop on Saturday (February 7) at around 3pm."

To offer support pop into Pershore Market and make a donation or visit facebook.com/FriendsoftheAnimalsRCT.