[Cherie]

An elderly dog who had its front paws cut off by a Mexican drug cartel is in the running to be crowned pet of the year in the United States.

Pay de Limon - which means Lemon Pie - is a local star among the roughly 500 residents of an animal shelter on the outskirts of Mexico City.

He has also made multiple international television appearances, including on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

But his fame could reach new heights after receiving a nomination for the prize of "America’s Favorite Pet". The winner will appear in Dogster Magazine and take home a $5,000 prize.

Winning would be a remarkable feat for the dog after his front legs were severed by Latin American drug traffickers Los Zetas around 10 years ago.

The award would be another remarkable chapter in his life after his toes were cut off by gang members as practice for torturing kidnap victims.

"Milagros Caninos received a call 14 years ago saying that a dog’s front paws had been cut off and thrown in the trash," said Patricia Ruiz, founder of the Milagros Caninos (Canine Miracles) shelter.

Pay de Limon was rescued and now walks and runs with prosthesis from the United States.

He is currently first in the America’s Favorite Pet catagory based on public votes, according to organisers.

"His life is an example of courage," according to a short biography on the competition website that describes him as a "hero."

"The case of Pay de Limon has moved Mexicans, perhaps because it is a simple, brutal and moving proof of the cruelty of the drug cartels," it adds.

Ms Ruiz created the shelter after the death of her own dog, Salchicha, who died of suffocation.

"From that moment, I said to myself: I will help all the dogs who are suffering," she said.

"Milagros Caninos only takes in dogs in extreme situations. Dogs with cancer, without legs, blind, deaf, burnt, tortured, paralyzed, raped, drugged, beaten, mutilated," she said.

Other residents include Fresa (Strawberry), who underwent reconstructive surgery after her face was bashed in when she tried to steal meat from a butcher.

ES