A TERRIFIED fox, rescued after a group of teenagers set a dog on it, has been given a clean bill of health and will soon be released into the wild, writes Steve Trask. 

On Monday night police released a picture of the terrified fox which was found in Middlesbrough.

The creature was shown cowering in a corner against a wall in Beechwood Avenue, at 8pm on Monday, after it had been bitten.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "An RSPCA officer collected the fox last night and took him to a local veterinary practice to be checked over. 

"Fortunately he wasn't injured and after a night at the vets has been given a clean bill of health and will be released back into the wild later."

Even after police arrived, some teenagers hung around and were excited by the sight and hoped it would be shot.

Pc Chris Swales, of Cleveland Police, shared the photo on the Coulby Newham and South Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Police Team's Facebook page.

He wrote: "Witnesses describe how the teenagers chased and cornered it before encouraging the dog to attack.

"What makes it worse ... if (it's) possible (is) that the youths who didn't make off on police arrival seemed excited by the injuries and wanted to 'shoot it'.

"Others were kicking the fence from the other side despite police being there."

Pc Swales said the fox was taken away for treatment by the RSPCA.

Susie Wilson wrote on the page: "What is wrong with people these days.

"It's so infuriating, plus if they can set a dog onto a fox what else can they set it on? Idiots!"

And Sue Collin added: "This is so sad, a beautiful creature being so cruelly hurt, it breaks my heart that we have to live in a world with such disgusting people."