Mercey, the four-year-old dog who sustained serious stab wounds defending her female owner from four male attackers Tuesday, was treated at the Edmonton Emergency Veterinarian's Clinic, where she racked up a substantial medical bill.

After city cops chipped in close to $400 and her owner paid a similar amount, staff at the veterinary clinic came together to make a similar contribution.

And after some small donations from members of the public, one man walked in and dropped $1,000 cash on the counter.

"He just said, 'I want to donate this anonymously to Mercey's care.' And that really was enough to cover the rest of the bill," said Brent Jackson, the emergency veterinarian caring for Mercey.

The total bill for surgery and medical management came in over $2,000.

"It's phenomenal. We've had some phone calls from people wanting to donate money and we've said, 'We're fine now; it's been paid for,'" Jackson said. "The response from the public has been wonderful."

Mercey is making a quick recovery from her two stab wounds and was ready to return home Thursday.

Four males broke into the 30-year-old woman's apartment Tuesday. One man attacked the resident with a machete. Mercey jumped in to protect her and suffered two life-threatening wounds.

Dylan Ian Machiskinic, 19, Clinton Neil Wabasca, 32, Charlie Jean Chalifoux, 18, and a 15-year-old male youth have been charged with break and enter to commit assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, and cruelty to an animal.