Cruelty behind the 'Bear-Dog' internet sensation

This animal has made headlines around the world with people asking: 'Is it a bear or a dog?'

The pictures are very striking, but there is a sad story behind this abandoned pet, nicknamed Medvebaka (from 'Medved' meaning Bear, and 'Sobaka' meaning Dog).

The animal is a dog that was bred by irresponsible market traders in Chelyabinsk to look great as a puppy with little thought about what would happen later.

Nash Dom animal shelter volunteer Polina Kefer said: 'The dog is in serious stress. We are looking for some really experienced carers for him, but have not found them yet. 

'This dog is a ‘badly-made’ chowchow. Remember those pet markets, where irresponsible breeders sell dogs pretending they are pure breed. Once puppies grow into something like this dog, they throw them out like a broken toy.'

One owner who tried to rescue the dog was forced to give up. Pictures: Polina Kefer

'There is a chowchow breeder in our team, who checked the dog and confirmed our first guess that this is indeed a mixed breed, likely crossed with a long-nosed stray', Polina Kefer explained.

'He has a distinctive blue tongue which is typical for the chowchow. 

'We are calling him - jokingly, of course - Medvebaka Potapych (Porapych is a typical tender folk name for brown bears, often used in fairy tales and legends). 

'Sadly the dog is so stressed it fights and bites back.

'We think it might take months to socialise him.' 

'There is a chowchow breeder in our team, who checked the dog and confirmed our first guess that this is indeed a mixed breed, likely crossed with a long-nosed stray'. Pictures: Polina Kefer

One owner who tried to rescue the dog was forced to give up.

A volunteer said: 'The dog hid inside an ourdoor kennel and refused to come out.

'With his new family he was trying to escape.

'He hated the leash, and showed no interest whatsoever in making friends. 

'We tried our best foods on him, but the dog is clearly so stressed that it might take weeks, if not months, to help him trust people again.'