Dog left to die after being used for badger baiting in a sett

A dog is recovering after it was apparently used in badger baiting.

Snickers, a Patterdale terrier bitch, was found with injuries to her face, neck and torso when she was dumped in Smallfield, Surrey, earlier this month

Her rescuers said that her injuries are as a result of the illegal practice of badger baiting.

It is believed Snickers will have been sent down a sett to flush badgers out before being shot.

After being treated for her injuries in a nearby vets she was taken to the RSPCA’s Putney Animal Hospital.

Kourtney Kardashian's ex Younes Bendjima 'viciously attacks' club worker as Drake watches

She will need more surgery to her wounds – some of which are so severe that they are still open and are being treated with antibiotics.

Despite what she has been through, staff at the hospital say she is a ‘lovely friendly girl’ and still wags her tail when she has some attention.

RSPCA London Veterinary Director Caroline Allen said: ‘Sadly it is going to be a long road to recovery for poor Snickers, she has multiple wounds and some are very deep.

‘Given the degree of infection we can’t think about suturing at the moment, and so at this stage she is on intravenous fluids, pain relief and antibiotics and we will be managing the wounds until we feel we can close them.

‘The wounds have been cleaned and flushed, some are relatively fresh – days rather than longer – but there do also appear to be older scars.

Conor Maynard confirms BTS collab after hinting about it months ago

‘We are doing all we can at Putney to give Snickers a chance, but she is very weak and her poor body has already endured so much.’

In the last three years, the RSPCA has received almost 3,500 complaints about the persecution of wild animals, including badger baiting.

Chief Inspector Will Mitchell said: ‘Poor Snickers is a prime example of the unimaginable cruelty inflicted not only on the wild animals themselves, but also the dogs involved.

‘These merciless attacks are happening throughout the UK, both in the depths of the British countryside as well as in the leafy suburbs.

Man United beat Man City to transfer as defender poses for club portraits

‘Unfortunately Snickers was not microchipped and so her owner is unknown and I am keen to speak to anyone who may recognise her, or who know who may have owned her.

‘Given the degree of infection she could have been straying or been dumped in the area for some time.

‘I would urge anyone who has any information, no matter how small to please call me in confidence on the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.’