A cat who is the mayor of a small town in Alaska has survived a mauling by a local dog. "Mayor" Stubbs, a ginger cat, has held the honourary title since shortly after his birth in 1997.

Stubbs' owner, Lauri Stec, was at home on last Saturday when she got a call telling her the Mayor had been attacked by a dog.

The mauling punctured his lung and fractured his sternum. Stubbs is currently recovering in Big Lake-Susitna Veterinary Hospital.

"All I can say is that right now is that he's holding his own," said Stec.

Click Through for the video story of Mayor Stubbs, as well as other famous cats who need personal protection including Maru the box-cat, Grumpy Cat, Colonel Meow and Little Bub.