Ricky Gervais tweet highlights horrific Flint badger baiting incident to nearly 10 million followers

Ricky Gervais helped raise awareness last night of ‘Flint’ and his horrific plight at the hands of the plucky lurcher cross’ badger baiting owners in Flintshire

His shocking story was featured on Channel 5’s Dog Rescuers programme on Tuesday prompting Gervais, the creator of cult comedy The Office, to tweet “how can anyone hurt a dog – Flint was still wagging his tail despite his abuse” to his 9.8million followers on the social network.

The comedian turned Holywood actor is one of the most followed ‘celebrities’ on twitter and within minutes hundreds of people had retweeted the gruesome picture of Flint taken by the RSPCA after he was found with terrible injuries in the grounds of Cornist Park Primary School,Flint.

Flint was found with a tear to the ear, part of his nose missing, broken teeth and puncture wounds all over his body,

He has had to endured two tail operations, had six teeth removed and weeks of pain relief after he was found.

A female adult badger was also found in a pool of blood close to where Flint was discovered prompting animal welfare charity PETA to offer a £1000 reward for information.

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said the suspected badger baiting incident was

“abhorrent and barbaric behaviour”.

“Flint has certainly been through a lot but is such a friendly thing,” he said. “He is currently with the Wirral and Chester Branch and is looking for a home.”

“Flint’s story really highlights the gruesomeness of wildlife crime that is happening in our countryside but also to show that Flint has made it through his awful ordeal and is seeking a new home.”

Manager of Wirral Animal Centre, Kay Hawthorn, said Flint has already had some interest from potential adopters.

“This boy has clearly had a difficult life but has the sweetest nature,” she said.

“He’s adores human company and loves nothing more than just spending time with people and having some attention.

“He likes to amble around and much prefers this to running. He’s great on a lead and will just plod along. Given his past history though, he can’t live with cats or other small animals but could potentially live with another dog, depending on the dog.  He won’t be suitable with younger children but over about 10 years will be fine and an owner used to dealing with large breed dogs.”

To contact the RSPCA click on the link: /local/wirral-and-chester-branch

If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 – text cost £3 plus one standard network rate message.