A DOG that was made to “fight until the death” with a badger is ready to find his new home after being cared for by the Wirral branch of the RSPCA.

‘Flint’ was found abandoned in playing fields in Flintshire in June, not far from where a female badger was found dead in a pool of blood.

Wirral Globe:
Flint was found with severe injuries to his head and body following the badger baiting incident.

While the badger was the real victim, the dog – a bull breed lurcher cross – was found with “horrific” injuries, including a tear to the ear, a serious injury to his nose, broken teeth and puncture wounds all over his body.

Wirral-based RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes was called to the incident, described by the charity as badger baiting.

Inspector Joynes believes someone set Flint onto the badger and then just “left them to fight it until the death”.

Flint needed urgent veterinary attention and was taken to the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA, where he has been looked after ever since.

Wirral Globe:

Inspector Joynes said: “He was just left behind without a second thought. Shortly after I collected him he collapsed from his injuries and exhaustion.”

He will appear on the final episode of Channel 5’s The Dog Rescuers today, Tuesday in the hope of finding him his forever home.

The programme followed 350 inspectors for four months in a country-wide crusade to stop cruelty and neglect to man’s best friend.

With heart-wrenching rescues, heart-warming re-homings and amazing tales of dogs overcoming adversity, the 12 part series has had many you reaching for the tissue box.

Inspector Joynes said: “The camera crew didn’t film me on the day but the programme will feature archive footage I took at the scene on my mobile for evidence.”

Since being taken in by the RSPCA, Flint has had to have two tail operations and six shattered and broken teeth removed.

He is now well on the road recovery and is ready to be rehomed.

“He is an absolute gentle giant and just loves positive human interaction, something I feel he’s had very little of,” said Inspector Joynes.

“His fighting days are over and he’ll make a stunning family pet. Obviously he’ll need to be placed with experienced dog owners with children over 10 and ideally no other pets.”

As well as telling Flint’s story, tonight’s programme also aims to show the real seriousness of badger baiting.

Inspector Joynes said: “I think it’s good because we can show how far he has come and just shows what kind of stuff we deal with.

“Badger baiting is a very real reality of what is happening in our countryside. These situations are not an accident.

“The people involved are in my opinion just thugs carrying out their criminality in the countryside.

“They are cowards who enjoy seeing animals being ripped apart and Flint is the perfect example of how the dogs can also suffer tremendously.

“People involved in this sort of barbaric behaviour should know that we actively seek you and will work tirelessly to bring you before the courts where it is likely you will go to prison.”

  • The Dog Rescuers is on Channel 5 today, Tuesday, at 8pm.
     
  • If you are interested in adopting Flint, call the Wirral branch of the RSPCA on 0151 638 6318
     
  • If you would like to help the RSPCA to continue to bring animal cruelty cases to court, you can text HELP59 to 70099 to give £3.