A pensioner is living in fear after his Jack Russell saved him from a badger the size of a large pig with six-inch teeth . Shocked Terry Cooper , 79 , was enjoying the sunshine in his garden with his dog Sam when the huge animal burst through a hedge with two cubs . Mr Cooper , from Curry Rivel , Somerset said his dog dragged him back indoors and fears he could have been attacked if his pet had not been there . Scroll down for video . Shocked : Pensioner Terry Cooper said the huge badger burst through a hedge with two cubs ( stock image ) Mr Cooper spotted the huge badger while sitting in his garden in the sunshine with his Jack Russell Sam . The retired charity worker said : ' I 've got a little Jack Russell and I took him out just after tea at 5pm . 'Suddenly there was a badger and two little'uns in my garden . 'He was the size of a pig , with teeth about six inches long . They were as long as a lemonade bottle is wide . ' 'My dog turned me round and quickly pulled me in , ' Mr Cooper added . 'The badger did n't attack me , so I did n't seek medical attention , but I was left badly shaken . 'If I had n't have had my dog there , the badger could have had me . ' Following the scare , the National Farmers ' Union has issued advice for residents on protecting their property from invading badgers ( stock photo ) He has covered the gap in his hedge with two pieces of metal and a bag of compost . Following the scare , the National Farmers ' Union has issued advice for residents on protecting their property from invading badgers . Alex Stevens , South West regional policy advisor , said : 'Badgers are protected by law and people should n't be interfering with badgers or setts . 'This incident is really unusual and surprising , given the time at which it happened . But badgers are pretty headstrong . I suspect he was searching for an easy source of food . 'Badgers can squeeze through any gaps in fences or hedges which are bigger than 7.5 centimetres . So if you have fencing with the slats spaced more narrowly , that will help . 'Even better , people can protect their property through badger-proof fencing . This goes a foot or two into the ground so that badgers can not tunnel underneath it . 'People should also keep the lids on their bins , and if they have a dog or a cat , do n't leave their food or water bowls out in the open . 'If you do have to make contact with a badger , be sure to wash your hands afterwards . '
Jack Russell , 79 , said a badger the size of a large pig burst through hedge . The pensioner from Somerset said his Terry Cooper dragged him indoors . Fears he may have been attacked by the badger if his pet had n't been there .