Snickers, a female Patterdale terrier, almost didn't make it. Earlier this week, the pooch was found abandoned in Smallfield, Surrey in the United Kingdom in a shocking state. Rescuers found her with wounds so severe and infected they were impossible to suture.
Officials believe Snickers, like thousands of other unfortunate animals around the UK, was used as bait. In Snickers' case, they believe she was sent down a badger den to flush out the beast so hunters could then kill it. This time, it looks like the badger got the best of Snickers and left her with wounds and scars that may last a lifetime.
Badgers have long been vilified in the UK as carriers of tuberculosis. The government implements periodic culls leaving tens of thousands of the weasel-like mammal dead. It is this vilification that allows people to justify this type of cruelty. Not only for the badger but for the other animals they use to bait, attack and harass them. Snickers is just another victim.
Even though Snickers has had such a hard life, rescuers say she is friendly and still wags her tail when she gets her attention. And while she has a long road ahead of her, she will eventually be OK.
What isn't OK is the fact that the person or persons who did this to her are still free. Even though badgers are considered by some to be a pest, badger baiting is illegal and so is animal cruelty in general. Authorities must work to find Snickers' abuser so that she can get justice and they can spend time behind bars.
Please sign the petition and tell Surrey Police you want justice for Snickers.
Photo credit: SWNS via Metro UK
