(Credit: stubbsmayorcat/Facebook)

The beloved honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, is clinging to life after an attempted assassination - by a dog.

Mayor Stubbs, who happens to be a cat, has been the honorary mayor of Talkeetna for the past 16 years. On Saturday, he had a "really bad encounter" with a dog while he was making his usual rounds through town, his owner, Lauri Stec, told ABCNews.com today.

"He's going to be in the hospital for a while," Stec said. "His injuries were pretty bad."

The feline politician endured a 4- to 5-inch gash deep enough to expose his organs, a punctured lung and fractured sternum.

"He's doing well. He's on heavy medication for pain. The next few days are crucial," she said. "He's holding his own."

Stec said she was eager and excited to see Stubbs Thursday for the first time since she dropped him off, and was surprised at the outpouring of well-wishes and donations from all over the world.

She said that after she has covered the veterinary bill, she would donate the rest of the money to an animal shelter in Palmer, Alaska.

"It's been really awesome," she said of the worldwide support. "It's a wonderful thing."

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