A curious Saint Bernard has come off second best after an encounter with a defensive porcupine.

The dog named Ruckus sustained shocking injuries after his face and jowls were pierced with countless quills during the run-in last month.

He was surrendered to an animal shelter called the Lollypop Farm, in the US state of New York, so he could receive the treatment he needed.

The shelter has since shared his story on their website and Facebook page, including jaw-dropping images of the quills poking through his skin and even protruding into the inside of his mouth.

“The second picture where you can see the quills in the mouth is frightening,” one person wrote on Facebook, while many others described it as “so sad”.

Fortunately the veterinary team were able to remove the quills safely from the injured dog, telling one Facebook user the procedure took about two hours.

“Ruckus was anaesthetised so that he would be comfortable and without pain when the needles were removed by our veterinarian,” the shelter wrote.

His previous owners told the shelter it was not the first time Ruckus has had a confrontation with a porcupine.

Ruckus was surrendered so he could have “a second chance at a new home, where he might not have such unfortunate encounters,” Lollypop Farm stated on Facebook.

According to the animal shelter’s website, porcupines can have more than 30,000 quills.

“Contrary to popular belief, porcupines can’t actually ‘shoot’ their quills, but a simple swipe of their tail at a dog that’s gotten too close is enough to release them,” the website states.

The shelter added that even though the animals can detach their quills easily, they are hard to remove once lodged into a different animal.

Fortunately Ruckus has recovered from the ordeal and has already found a new home.

“We are so happy for Ruckus, and we hope that he never crosses the path of a porcupine again,” the shelter wrote on Facebook.

“Have the best life ever, big guy!”