Pooch's pioneering paw operation

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A pet dog has been successfully fitted with an artificial paw after undergoing pioneering surgery.

Storm, a Belgian Shepherd, had part of his paw amputated after being diagnosed with cancer in his foot.

It is thought to be the first case where the skin has successfully grown into metal, providing a resilient seal against infection.

Surrey vet Noel Fitzpatrick, who pioneered the surgery, said it was the "holy grail" of amputee research.

Mr Fitzpatrick, whose practice is in Farnham, said: "The miraculous thing for Storm is that the bone has grown into the metal, and the skin has grown into the metal, so now he has a resilient seal which cannot break down and he cannot get infected through it.

"That's been the holy grail of amputee research for years."

As part of the research for the operation scientists studied how deers antlers have evolved in order to understand how skin could mould to another substance.

Storm's prosthetic allows him to balance and use his leg more naturally.