Neglected ‘badger baiting dog’ rescued
Poor Albert was found all alone in a field by a kind couple who took him to Together for Animals member Blue Cross’ rehoming centre in Kimpton, Hertfordshire.
The terrier had suffered horrendous facial wounds, with numerous cuts and an enormous, deep cut on his chin. He would have been in huge amounts of pain.
“Sadly, we do see some very sad cases of mistreatment,” says Kirsten, Rehoming Supervisor at Blue Cross Hertfordshire. “But Albert’s injuries were severe, and the team were all really shocked that someone had allowed him to get into that state.
“We’re here to help pets find new homes when their owners can no longer care for them, so there’s no need to leave a dog all alone, especially when they’re in a lot of pain.”
Albert, thought to be aged one, had suffered puncture wounds to most of his face. Cuts covered the inside of his lips and shoulders, his face was swollen, and he couldn’t open his right eye. When vets first tried to examine him, he recoiled in pain.
Everything pointed towards him being used for the illegal and cruel practice of badger baiting.
After getting him initial emergency first aid, Blue Cross transferred Albert to its Victoria animal hospital in central London for further treatment, where he remained for a month.
Amanda Rumball, London Welfare Officer, explains: “From the day he arrived, Albert wagged his tail at everyone despite being in huge amounts of pain, which just shows what a trooper he is.”
Due to the location of his wound and the potential for infection, Albert had to be treated in isolation for his own protection. He underwent daily flushes to clean the wound, as well as multiple procedures to remove the dying skin, stretch the healthy skin, and stitch up small areas at a time.
It took three weeks and eight procedures to get Albert’s body to a state where it could eventually heal itself.
Amazed by Albert’s resolve, Veterinary Surgeon Johannah took him into foster care and soon realised just how neglected the little terrier had been.
Johannah says: “The first day [in foster care] he was terrified. I don’t think he’d been in a house before. I put him on the sofa, and he just sat there for two hours in a little shut down ball.”
Slowly, and thanks to Johannah’s patience, kindness and love, Albert emerged from his shell.
Unable to part with the sweet boy, he is now a permanent member of her family. “Now he’s perfect,” she adds. “He’s all healed up and he’s very well.”