Shocking images show blood-thirsty hunting dogs baiting wild animals such as bears and foxes in Russia after Moscow failed to ban the cruel practice.

Chained bears are shown being taunted by dogs, while foxes, tethered and muzzled to prevent them biting back, are viciously attacked in ”sickening” videos.

The films were made at so-called “baiting stations” used to train hunting dogs which are taught to confront wild animals which are tied up and not able to fight back.

Critics say the vile practice involves needless cruelty and torture.

Despite the outrage, Russian politicians failed to ban baiting, while one bigoted senator branded the legislation "absurd" and compared the ban to the passing of gay rights in the West.

In one case, two angry young dogs confront and bite a tied and defenceless fox with its muzzle taped.

Trainer Tatiana Mazunova stated this was their “first meeting with a beast - the puppies are three and a half months old”.

In another video, a petrified fox - also tethered with its mouth taped - leaps in the air to try and flee the vicious attacking dog after receiving repeated bites.

Two other clips show attacks by Jagdterriers on helpless badgers in a pen.

A crowd of bystanders laugh as a trainer grabs an exhausted badger's tail, and shakes the terrified creature, to make the dog think it is posing more of a challenge.

Annual contests are even held to assess the skills of dogs in confronting brown bears or other creatures which have a limited ability to lash out because they are chained.

Animal rights group Zoo Defence released disturbing footage and images as Russia’s upper house of parliament vetoed attempts to ban baiting following an outcry from hunters and dog trainers.

A protest is due to be held in Moscow on Sunday led by animal rights group VITA to demand curbs are enacted.

Owners of baiting stations claimed the draft legislation would destroy traditional methods of training hunting dogs in regions such as Siberia.

The laws would force owners to install a mesh or glass fence to prevent physical contact between wild animals and dogs.

The Russian parliament passed a law banning baiting in December, with 408 deputies in favour and only five against or abstaining.

But, the Russian upper house, the Federation Council, sent the draft law back, refusing to ratify it.

One senator even compared the measure to the extension of rights to sexual minorities in the West.

Sergey Kalashnikov said: “We take with humour many trends that are now popular in the West - such as political correctness, the rights of sexual minorities and others.

"This law leads us along the same path.”

Branding the curbs “absurd” and “unworkable” he complained: "We would just show that we are following the same trend, so to say, as guarding the rights of sexual minorities, and similar laws.”

A new bid is likely to force through the laws, with parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stressing Vladimir Putin backed measures to crack down on animal cruelty.

“A situation in which animal abuse is encouraged is unacceptable for us,” he said.

“We have the support of the president in this matter.”