Dog suffers substantial facial injuries in Derbyshire badger baiting incident - WARNING - distressing images

Derbyshire Constabularly Wildlife Officer said two men were seen digging at an active badger sett in Chinley on the morning of September 15.

They were challenged and made off, before returning a short time later when they were challenged again before leaving.

In a post on Facebook, police said: "They left behind a small brown Patterdale terrier type dog with substantial facial injuries which were clearly caused from it being put into the badger sett to fight with the badger as the males dug down to them.

"The dog was taken straight to the vets by police for its horrendous injuries to be looked at.

"If anyone has any information about someone they know that had a dog like in the images but no longer has it after Sunday, please call 101 and ask to speak to the officer in the case Pc 2581 of the Rural Crime Team, quoting ref 19*492943.

"This is a cruel and barbaric act by the owners of the dog, both against the dog and the badgers in the name of pleasure."