Surgeons in Goa have removed a Catholic priest’s ear, bitten off by a dog when he went to bless a house after Easter.

The doctors had stitched back the ear 45 minutes after three dogs attacked Divine Word Father Manuel Pereira on May 4.

However,they failed to restore circulation and took the “painful decision of letting the ear go,” said Father Carlisto Gomes, superior of the Divine Word Mission Seminary at Raia, a village in south Goa.

He said Father Pereira was mentally prepared for the surgery but had to undergo a lot of physical pain as the surgeon detached the ear without anesthesia.

Father Gomes said Father Manuel had been told by the house owner that the dogs were tethered. However, before he could enter the house two dogs charged at him, while the third bit his left ear.

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