Man played at-home vet by stitching up his cut dog with twine and clamping mouth shut with duct tape so it couldn't whine

A two-year old dachshund narrowly escaped with his life when he was saved from the clutches of an owner who sewed up an injury with twine and then duct taped his mouth shut to keep him quiet.

Animal Rescue Services were alerted to the plight of the poor pooch after an anonymous caller noticed the dog's muzzle was taped shut to stop it whining at a house in San Antonio, Texas.

The sandy-coloured dachshund's owner had attempted to stitch up a gash on the dog's body with thick twine and then covered it with gauze and silver duct tape. 

Saved: A man has lost possession of his dachshund and may face criminal charges after he tried to 'fix' his dog's injuries at home and duct taped its mouth shut to stop it whining

Animal Cruelty specialist, Manuel Flores who arrived at the home where the dog lived told KHou.com that if he had been any later, the animal may not have survived. 

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'The wound would have got infected and the manner the dog was taped the dog could have died due to the heat because the dog wasn't able to open its mouth,' he explained. 

Messy: The owner stitched up a large gash on the dog's body with thick twine and then sealed it with gauze and duct tape

Owch: Animal Care Services said the stitches would likely have become infected and the animal could have died from heat exhaustion if its mouth had remained taped shut any longer

The owner came home shortly after and told him that he had indeed tried to play veterinarian.

The origin of the considerable cut to the dog's body was not known and Animal Care Services were not responding to calls.

Real veterinarians looking after the dog at a city shelter have named him Frank for now and plan to put him up for adoption or send him to a rescue group once he has recovered.

Frank's former owner faces possible animal cruelty charges.

Texas state law condemns the act of causing pain or suffering to a pet and also prohibits the practice of veterinary medicine at home without a license.