Lee County - At first sight it's hard to believe Palooka the kitten is alive.

But at 10 weeks old he has the courage of a lion.

"He's got a fighting spirit in him," said Dr. Richard Carpenter, a veterinarian treating Palooka.

Palooka's "tale" is one you may find upsetting.

A week ago he had no name and was near death.

"His injuries were traumatic," said Dr. Carpenter.

The injuries were so severe that when Dr. Carpenter saw the kitten, he named him Palooka.

"It reminded me the boxer Joe Palooka with his ears all beat up." said Dr. Richard Carpenter.

Palooka was tortured by a group of kids in North Fort Myers.

"He had toenails ripped out of his back leg. All of these nails are missing here. He really was horribly physically abused," Dr. Carpenter said.

Palooka was beat with a garden hose and his back paws were lit on fire.

"The trauma has caused a lot of damage. The skin on his back died," Carpenter said.

As Palooka was being beaten up in a North Fort Myers field, an Iraqi War veteran was driving by.

He witnessed the attack and yelled at the kids to stop.

The kids took off and ran into some woods near by.

The Veteran went over, saw Palooka, picked him up and brought him to the animal hospital.

The kids got away and since no one knows who they are, no charges have been filed.

The man didn't want to be identified, but it's clear he saved Palooka's life.

"If that Veteran did not pick him up and brought him when he did, he would not have survived the day," Carpenter said.

The first day he was brought in, Palooka underwent several hours of surgery.

Now a week later, he's playing and eventually can be adopted.

Palooka's medical expenses are expected to be in the thousands.

The Animal Refuge Center is taking donations to help pay for the surgeries.

For more information: www.animalrefuge.com

or

send donations to The Palooka Fund at ARC PO Box 6642 Ft Myers, Fl 33911