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Tragic reason tortured bear kept in tiny cage

A race is on to save a tortured brown bear tethered at a baiting station to train hunting dogs in Russia.

According to Animal rights activist Daria Illarioshina, the badly-injured bear is attacked "almost every day" by up to 30 to 40 huskies.

"He has lacerated wounds everywhere on his face, on his body," she revealed.

She found the bear in a village in the Ural Mountains seemingly dying from hunger in a cramped cage measuring less than 5ft by 4ft by 4ft.

The bear has since been sold and cannot be found by activists. Source: East2West/ Australscope
The bear has since been sold and cannot be found by activists. Source: East2West/ Australscope

He was in a cage at a baiting station closed by the authorities where other animals were "destroyed".

A video shows how the tethered bear had been taunted by a dog.

"The bear had no food or water, he was chained inside the cage and could not move," Ms Illarioshina said.

"He was emaciated, he was not fed, he could not stand up."

She tried to buy the bear to rescue him - but at this point she claims the owner sold the beast to two “hunters” linked to another baiting station where dogs are trained.

She was ready to buy the bear for $860, but it was bought by new owners for $2,700 and taken away.

At the time, she could not match the fee.

Search for bear proves fruitless

She took the number plate of the vehicle the bear was being loaded into and has passed it to police, but so far the bear has not been found, even though she discovered the name of the man behind the wheel and passing it on to authorities.

The hunt has been backed by well-known Russian animal rights activist and vet, Karen Dallakyan.

A still image from a video showing the bear being attacked by a dog. Source: East2West / Australscope
A still image from a video showing the bear being attacked by a dog. Source: East2West / Australscope

"He has festering wounds and ulcers on his neck,” he said, stressing the traumatised animals needs fast expert treatment.

"In fact, this bear is rotting.”

While Ms Illarioshina has now collected the full amount to buy the bear, she has not been able to find its new owners.

The bear's plight began to spread on Russian social media with many users condoning the behaviour of its past and current owners.

"This is clearly sadism that must be stopped," one person said.

“The bear, judging by the video, is already on the verge [of dying].

“He must be taken away or bought out.”

“There should be no pardon for this monster," another said, referring to the previous owner.

“No mercy for non-humans.”

Ms Illarioshina remains hopeful she will be able to rescue the bear.

“I will never understand people who torture animals treating them as disposable," she said.

“They are living creatures, they have feelings. They say don't humanise them but look them in the eyes.

“A true hunter would not be torturing a weak dying animal.”

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