Raeford, N.C. — He was beaten with a machete and left for dead, but Buddy, a shepherd-Labrador mix, survived. Now Cumberland County Animal Control investigators want to know who abused the dog.

"It just breaks my heart,” said Linden Spear, founder of the Haven Friends for Life No Kill Animal Shelter in Raeford.

Buddy has known only pain in his life. The 1-year-old dog is a recent amputee and was found covered in mange and infection.

Dwayne Shepherd took WRAL News to a wooded area near Laraine Street in Fayetteville where, neighbors say, several men were swinging a machete into the dog.

"They was hitting it and cutting at it and things like that. Just trying to kill it,” Shepherd said.

The men ran away and have not been identified or charged. Shepherd later found Buddy cowering under a mobile home.

"He started to move around a little bit, and then I was just like, 'He was waiting to die,'" Shepherd said.

Authorities took him to a veterinarian. He has been recovering at the Haven Friends for Life No Kill Animal Shelter in Raeford.

“His front leg was so crushed and damaged (that) there was no blood supply,” Spear said.

Implanted in Buddy's back was a microchip with his owner's information.

"The owner is not able to be reached,” Spear said.

Authorities say information in that microchip suggests the dog's owner may live in Cambridge Arms Apartments in Fayetteville and go by the name John Paul. However, authorities were unable to find him and believe the address and name may be a fake.

Buddy is safe at the Haven, amid other dogs with similarly sad stories. Spear is determined that Buddy's life will have a happier ending.

"We'll find the right place for him,” she said.

Anyone with information on who abused Buddy should call Cumberland County Animal Control at 910-321-6852.

If you would like to help Buddy, go to the the Haven-Friends for Life No Kill Animal Shelter Web site or call 910-875-6768.