Baiting fears after dead badger find (From York Press)

Baiting fears after dead badger find

10:23am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News

POLICE have condemned an incident of badger baiting as “a sickening act of cruelty” after the body of one of the animals was found in a ditch near Selby.

The dead badger was found at Pale Lane in West Haddlesey.

The animal had a number of injuries including a bloodied nose and blood in its fur consistent with it having been attacked by a dog.

Annette Pyrah, of Selby Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, said a badger sett had been extensively dug and the incident was reported after a dog walker spotted two men near the sett who are understood to have run away after she approached them.

Ms Pyrah said: “January and February are prime months for badger digging. The sows, female badger, are either pregnant or lactating which makes them more aggressive as they fight to protect their cubs. Unfortunately it is this aggression which makes them more worthy opponents against the dogs used in this barbaric ‘sport’.

“Badger baiting is more prevalent than people think. If anyone knows of a badger sett and sees groups of men with dogs acting suspiciously near the sett, then please ring the police immediately. Swift action can often save badgers from horrendous cruelty as they are torn apart not by one dog, but by several.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “As well as being against the law, this is a sickening act of cruelty which law-abiding members of the public find distressing and difficult to comprehend.

“We urge anyone who can help identify those responsible to contact the police urgently.”