<p>Youths beat, stab dog By Maureen Boyle, Enterprise staff writer BROCKTON — Youths beat and stabbed a 2-year-old dog at Edgar's Playground, leaving the wounded pooch to inch its way home to Brook Street a few houses away. Pug, a shepherd-husky mix, was found stunned and whimpering by its owner, Howard White, on the family's front porch Wednesday after the brutal attack and is now recuperating at a West Bridgewater veterinary clinic. "It is sad to think someone could be so cruel," said White's wife, Susan. Howard White said he returned from grocery shopping about 4 p.m. Wednesday to find Pug and the family's other dog, Rocky, outside and a person who witnessed the attack waiting for the family to return. White said the witness told him at least two youths were seen kicking and beating Pug at the park. White, who did not get the witness' name, is now trying to locate the person and anyone else who may have seen the attack. The witness said the attackers "were tormenting" Pug while the family's second dog, a 7-pound Pomeranian, barked at the men's feet, White said. "They started kicking him and hitting him," he said. White said the dogs were confined to the family's yard, but the smaller dog apparently dug under the fence to escape and Pug followed. Pug appeared stunned standing on the porch, but began experiencing breathing problems once inside and en route to the emergency veterinary hospital in West Bridgewater. "I just kept thinking, 'Don't take him from me,' " White said. Pug was taken Wednesday night to New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater, which offers after-hours emergency animal care. The dog remains there today. Colleen Kelley, a veterinarian at the center caring for Pug, said the dog suffered a single stab wound to the upper side and there are fears there could be a tracheal tear. She said there was some air in the dog's central cavity and there are worries it could increase, causing breathing problems. Surgeons are being consulted to see if Pug needs surgery or if simply closing the wound will be enough, she said. Kelley said she has seen a number of animals abused recently by strangers, including a number who have been shot. The Humane Society of the United States reports there is no firm numbers on how many animals are abused yearly, but, based on cases it has studied, adult and teenaged males commit a higher percentage of intentional animal cruelty. Of cases the group has studied, 5 percent involved an animal being stabbed, 16 percent involved beating, 11 percent involved torturing and 20 percent involved an animal being shot. White said he hopes witnesses will come forward to help authorities identify the suspects before another animal is harmed As he gently petted Pug at the animal hospital Thursday, White said he is still stunned someone could attack his dog. "He is so gentle," said White, a retired postal worker. "Everyone who knows this dog loves him. He would not hurt anyone."</p>