A DOG lover is warning others after her German Shepherd was stabbed twice while out for a walk.

Malcolm Dixon was walking his dog Simba through High Woods Country Park in Colchester.

Simba disappeared into the bushes after hearing a noise and came back when Malcolm whistled to him and his other German Shepherd.

When Simba got home, Malcolm and his wife, Sarah, noticed he had a stab wound in his side.

They took him to the vets where he had surgery that afternoon, on November 2.

It was found he had a four-inch deep wound, which had missed his lung by half an inch.

Sarah said: “Simba and my other German Shepherd heard a noise in the bushes, they probably thought it was a squirrel they could chase up a tree and they went to investigate.

“Nothing was heard but apparently being stabbed can feel like a punch and the person stabbed doesn’t even know.

“I am at a loss as to why and how this could have happened.”

It was not discovered until a week later that he had actually been stabbed twice, after a friend found the second wound under his fur.

Sarah said: “The second wound was only discovered on November 9 by a friend giving him a cuddle.

“So much hair hides so many things, it’s been bathed but it’s very sore for him.

“The vet confirmed these wounds were inflicted deliberately and not by Simba himself.

“The first wound on November 2 was clean, no dirt or debris which there would have been if he ran into a sharp branch or discarded metal.

“He had emergency surgery for the first wound and has had antibiotics. He didn’t need surgery for the second wound.

“My husband informed the rangers at the park.”

Simba, who is five, had been for a walk at about 10.30am.

The family is warning other dog walkers to be wary when walking in the park.

Sarah said: “He’s a big but extremely gentle boy, he is so soppy and loves everyone, especially children.

“We got him through BIGGSD German Shepherd Rescue just before his third birthday.”