Scots cops have shared horrific animal injury pictures - in an appeal to the public to try and end badger baiting.

Although badgers are normally quiet and submissive, they can be very courageous when they believe they are under threat - making them a tough test for fighting dogs.

An adult badger can weigh as much as thirty-five pounds, and they have a very dangerous bite and powerful claws, which they use for digging up hard ground.

An injury suffered by a badger after being baited.

They will use their bite and claws when threatened, meaning they are more than a match for dogs.

Badger baiting sees a captured badger being placed in an artificial sett - before a dog is set on it.

Although badger baiting has been illegal in the UK for nearly 200 years, it is still practiced by some today.

And police are now trying to bring an end to the blood sport, by sharing snaps of the outcome of the cruel pastime.

A post on the Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Police Division Facebook page read: "Badgers continue to suffer persecution: from setts being dug out to badger baiting, which can cause horrific injuries to both badger and dogs.

"We are continuing to work with our partners including Scottish Badgers to deliver our year-long commitment to raise awareness of the six priorities of wildlife crime – phase 2 is looking at badger persecution.

"It's a criminal offence to disturb a badger in its sett or to interfere with their setts.

"Keep your eyes open, if you suspect something report it.

"Help us #EndWildlifeCrime by visiting https://www.scotland.police.uk/wildlifecrime."