A 'severely abused' black bear was rescued after being forced to fight dogs for entertainment.

Rocky, 7, was saved in the eastern Punjab region of Pakistan on February 27 after enduring 35 brutal matches with canines.

Dramatic footage shows a battered Rocky with several injuries and flies all over his face. It then shows the animal being assisted and loaded into a cage on the back of a pickup truck.

Rocky was found by animal rights organisation Vier Pfoten (Four Paws) with bleeding wounds on his face and back and was missing all his teeth.

The bear underwent an operation on Sunday.

A Four Paws spokesman said: 'A Four Paws emergency relief team travelled to Pakistan a few days ago to rescue a male bear who had been severely abused as a 'fighting bear' for years.

'The seven-year-old animal was forced to fight trained dogs for human entertainment – a cruel practice that is illegal in the country. 'Rocky' was severely injured and had multiple bleeding wounds on his face and back.'

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the Punjab Wildlife Department asked Four Paws to help relocate the bear to an animal rehabilitation centre.

Four Paws veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who is leading the rescue mission in Pakistan, said that Rocky was in critical condition.

He had bleeding injuries to his eyes, nose, ears, and back and was trembling in fear and shock.

Dr Khalil said: 'The abuse he endured has left both physical and psychological scars.'

'We took immediate measures to relieve his pain and treat his injuries, and we supported IWMB in bringing him to a species-appropriate home where he can recover.

'Rocky is a symbol of hope for all the other bears that are still suffering for entertainment purposes. Today, we are one step closer to finally ending this senseless abuse and suffering.'

To assist with his recovery, a special dietary plan and post-operative treatment are being developed, as Rocky can no longer chew due to the loss of his teeth.

His wounds have been treated, and the nose ring and tight chain around his neck, which had caused injury, have been removed.

Josef Pfabigan, CEO and President of Four Paws, said: 'We have decades of experience in rescuing and protecting bears who are exploited for human entertainment worldwide.

'Once again, we have witnessed first-hand the immense suffering these animals endure. Four Paws welcomes the Pakistani government's increasing efforts to end these inhumane practices.

'Through our collaboration, we aim to create sustainable, long-term solutions that protect the welfare of these animals while also supporting the establishment of improved legislation to put an end to the illegal exploitation of bears in Pakistan once and for all.'

Four Paws said that in Pakistan, bear dancing and bear baiting were introduced as a sport by the British and continued mainly in the Punjab province for entertainment.