Evidence of badger baiting unearthed

North Yorkshire Police wildlife officers recently discovered a disturbed badger sett in Ingleton that had been back-filled to try to disguise the offence.

The sett was one of several in the area found disturbed during the last 12 months. Others were identified at Timble and Nidd Gorge near Harrogate.

Police say it is a worrying indication that illegal badger baiting is continuing in the area despite efforts to crackdown on the brutal practice.

They have now appealed for help to protect badgers and promote the welfare of the dogs used to hunt them.

Wildlife crime officer Pc Vanessa Bateson said: "I want to see this practice eradicated in North Yorkshire.

"Badger baiting is a serious offence and involves people digging into a sett before sending terriers into the hole to drag the badgers out.

"Once the badger is dragged from the sett, it is more common for its legs to be broken with a shovel diminishing its ability to fight. Larger dogs, such as lurchers and pit bulls, are then set on the defenceless badger to finish it off.

"The dogs used often suffer terrible injuries, usually to the lower jaw, as the badger will swing upwards with its front legs to fight them off.

"Offenders have been known to simply discard injured dogs at the side of the sett and leave them there to die.

"This is a clear illustration of how cruel the people involved in this barbaric activity are."

It is illegal to kill, injure or take a badger, or to damage or interfere with a sett unless a licence is obtained from a statutory authority, but officers say the law is difficult to enforce.