He may have had a shocking start in life but a 9-month-old pitbull terrier cross formerly known as Tango has bounced back with the help of a loving local family.
His new owners Terri Mann and Nick Beck have given him a new start, a new name - Delvinious or Del for short - and a bright future with a family who "absolutely adore" him.
Former owner Aaron Paul Bidois has been fined $1500 plus court costs, and disqualified from owning another animal for five years, after he was found guilty in Tauranga District Court on Monday of a charge of ill-treating an animal. Last July a neighbour called 111 after seeing Bidois striking the then 8-week old pup and reported hearing the dog scream. Del suffered a deep puncture wound to the top of his head and dental and cheek fractures.
When the Bay of Plenty Times visited Del and Ms Mann yesterday it was obvious he had found a loving home.
Ms Mann said she and her partner Mr Beck adopted Del from Tauranga SPCA when he was 3-4 months old, having been told some basic facts about his history.