A much loved family therapy dog in Redwood is recovering after being hit on the head with a shovel in an unprovoked attack.

Owner Shenna Bayard says between 11 and 11.30am on Sunday someone walked into her fenced off property and hit her staffy dog ‘Panda’ in the head with a shovel so hard it “cracked the dog’s skull.”

Ms Bayard says she has no idea why someone would do this, as her dog is a family pet and was behind a gate and not bothering anyone.

She suspects a shovel was used as the bloody garden tool was located close to where she found her injured dog.

Ms Bayard says her 12-year-old son has autistic spectrum disorder and is high functioning.

He finds it hard to regulate his emotions so Panda joined the family bring to become his therapy dog.”

She says Panda went through a lot of training with a personal behaviour trainer and has been great at her job. “Panda can always calm him down when he can’t do it himself.”

Ms Bayard says her four-year-old daughter who “may be on the Spectrum as well” says Panda is her best friend.

“She is always right there part of the family and loves being with the kids, even does the rounds around the house at night to check all the kids are tucked up in bed.”

“Please keep a eye on your fur babies, as I’d hate for this to happen to anyone else.”

Ms Bayard says her dog is always in her yard “behind a 6 foot closed gate.”

She says “luckily it was over the sensory (or maybe the vet said sinuses, i was crying a bit at the time) part of her skull and not the brain itself.”

“There’s a small chance she may lose vision in one eye or lose her smell but luckily no chance of brain damage or a brain bleed.”

Panda has staples in her head as the gash went straight to the skull.

Ms Bayard says “she’s medicated up to her eyeballs and just sleeping it off.”

Panda is expected to make a full recovery.

Ms Bayard says police are involved and is urging the public to come forward with any information.