badger baiting scotland

King was also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and given a Restriction of Liberty Order for a seven-month period. Both badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.. Setts are networks of underground tunnels in which badgers live. “It’s not often that stories like this have a positive outcome but the badger cubs and their thriving family is a very happy ending.”, Inspector Ross McCallum, of Lanark's Community Policing Team, said: "I hope this shows we take wildlife crime seriously and we would always encourage the public to contact us if they believe wildlife crime is happening in their area.". “It’s not often that stories like this have a positive outcome but the badger cubs and their thriving family is a very happy ending.”, Inspector Ross McCallum, of Lanark's Community Policing Team, said: "I hope this shows we take wildlife crime seriously and we would always encourage the public to contact us if they believe wildlife crime is happening in their area. Known badger baiting blackspots in Scotland include Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, the Borders, Lothian and Fife. If they have young, they will protect them to the death. King also had a lurcher with him at the time which was taken by the SSPCA. Sara Shaw, Head of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit said: “I welcome the conviction and sentence of Robert King and the message it sends to others who would cause such terrible and unnecessary suffering. 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King had sent two Jack Russell Terriers into the sett, both of which were fitted with locator collars to allow King to determine the location of the dogs whilst underground. “Badgers are peaceful creatures and will only fight if cornered. Don't forget to get an incident number. A Scottish SPCA SIU undercover inspector said, “It was wonderful to see the badgers had protected their cubs from what could have been a devastating incident. Published. A man has been banned from keeping animals for life, two years after he was caught by police digging into an active badger sett. The US imports 25,000 tonnes of premium Scottish salmon, accounting for 26% of Scotland’s salmon exports, worth £179m a year. "COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in this barbaric practice are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on animal fighting to contact Police Scotland.". Spades and other specialist badger baiting equipment was found at the scene. Robert King, from Motherwell, was sentenced at Lanark Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two charges under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and a charge under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. A man has been banned from keeping animals for life after being found guilty of badger baiting and animal cruelty offences. “Badgers are peaceful creatures and will only fight if cornered. 30 September 2019. Motherwell man sentenced for badger baiting. Sending a dog down in to a sett with a nursing female is incredibly dangerous, not only for the badger but for the dog, as we’ve seen in this case. F1 start time: What time does the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix start? There were scars around its muzzle consistent with animal fighting injuries. The Scottish SPCA was called to provide assistance and when the terriers returned to the surface they were found to have injuries indicative of having fought with a badger. “This case further highlights the significance of utilising our expertise to work in collaboration with Police Scotland to bring an organised animal fighters to justice. Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in England and Wales (the law is different in Scotland) it is an offence to: Wilfully kill, injure or take a badger (or attempt to do so). Man sentenced for badger baiting following Scottish SPCA investigation A man has been banned from keeping animals for life after being found guilty of badger baiting … “The law protects badgers from harm as well as dogs from being used for fighting. Badger Baiting was first made illegal in 1835 under the Cruelty to Animals Act and these animals have since been granted further safeguard by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. There had been a significant amount of digging on the sett. Most social groups of badgers have a … Once exposed, the badgers are dragged from their setts and either baited there and then by a pack of savagely-trained … Sending a dog down in to a sett with a nursing female is incredibly dangerous, not only for the badger but for the dog, as we’ve seen in this case. A Police Scotland spokesman said all reports of badger baiting were taken "extremely seriously", while the COPFS said it gave "careful consideration" to any reports submitted from the … A man has been banned from keeping animals for life after being found guilty of badger baiting and animal cruelty offences. A TWISTED badger baiter who forced dogs to take part in a brutal fight has been banned from keeping animals for life. 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We’ll have a new commenting experience online soon. A Scottish SPCA SIU undercover inspector said, “It was wonderful to see the badgers had protected their cubs from what could have been a devastating incident. King had sent two Jack Russell Terriers into the sett, both of which were fitted with locator collars to allow King to determine the location of the dogs whilst underground. Introducing Police Scotland’s “Operation Wingspan” - a year long focus on wildlife crime. Don't forget to get an incident number. Both the badgers and dogs suffer inconceivably painful injuries. Robert King was found guilty in February of badger baiting… A man has been banned from keeping animals for life, two years after he was caught by police digging into an active badger sett. ... King was banned from keeping animals for life and given 250 hours’ unpaid work for badger baiting and animal cruelty raps. “This bill is an important milestone in Scotland’s long tradition of protecting our animals and wildlife,” said Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon. Sicko Robert King, 33, trained three dogs to fight so aggressively one had to b… Badgers are protected and so are the setts (burrows) they live in. A man has been banned from keeping animals for life, two years after he was caught by police digging into an active badger sett. The Scottish SPCA has made an appeal for information after two dogs suspected to have been used in badger baiting were found abandoned. Commenting is not currently available, but don’t worry! An appeal for public information to help break dog fighting and badger baiting … Robert King, from Motherwell, was sentenced at Lanark Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two charges under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and a charge under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Police Scotland found a black lurcher type dog in King’s car. “I would like to thank Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA for their part in investigating and gathering evidence of these offences. Until now, the maximum term for the most serious offences, such as dog fighting, badger baiting and animal cruelty, was 12 months and a £20,000 fine. One of the dogs had to be euthanised because of the severity of its injuries. Baiting in the 19th century Badger baiting around 1810. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Ireland has lowest incidence of virus in Europe. “The law protects badgers from harm as well as dogs from being used for fighting. In fact, it had been so since medieval times. Are shops open in Tier 3? Each night, on leaving their setts, badgers check the air to work out where in their territory worms will be emerging from the soil. Spades and other specialist baiting equipment was found at the scene. The court made a deprivation order removing the surviving terrier and the lurcher from King’s ownership. Wildlife and forestry crime: Worldwide seizures in global INTERPOL-WCO operation THUNDER 2020. Small terrier-type dogs are sent down setts to locate badgers and hold them at bay whilst baiters dig down. ©JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. 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Networks of primitive hunters are operating in woodlands on … The Badger, written by Northamptonshire poet John Clare (1798 - 1864) shows that badger baiting was a form of public entertainment in the early 19th century. ... badger baiting … Officers from Police Scotland were called to a badger sett near Carluke Park and Ride in South Lanarkshire and King’s two Jack Russell terriers were found to be underground in the tunnels of the badger sett. “We are pleased that awareness of badger baiting and animal fighting among members of the public is increasing. Badger baiting, along with cock fighting, bull baiting and The 33-year-old was caught in the act of digging into an active badger sett in woodland near Carluke Train Station on 25 April 2018. King also had a lurcher with him at the time which was taken by the SSPCA. Growing groups of 'badger baiters' have been reported to be operating in Fife as well as other small towns across Scotland. Badger baiting involves torturing badgers until death and is a thriving ‘blood-sport’ across the UK. One of the dogs had to be euthanised because of the severity of its injuries. The Scottish SPCA was called to provide assistance and when the terriers returned to the surface they were found to have injuries indicative of having fought with a badger. Spades and other specialist baiting equipment was found at the scene. A dog had to be put to sleep after a warped Motherwell man sent it down a badger-baiting sett. “This case further highlights the significance of utilising our expertise to work in collaboration with Police Scotland to bring an organised animal fighters to justice. These are abhorrent crimes and we are pleased King has been found guilty. Why Is Everybody Snapping Up This New Smartwatch? Flood warnings issued in Scotland … Badger baiting: Four on trial after BBC Wales investigation. Badger Baiting . Image caption The Scottish SPCA said dog fighting was barbaric and cruel . Facts about Badger Baiting. "COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in this barbaric practice are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on animal fighting to contact Police Scotland.". 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Motherwell man sentenced for badger baiting A 34-year-old man has been banned from keeping animals for life after being found guilty of badger baiting and animal cruelty offences. Under Armour TriBase Reign 2 vs Nike Metcon 6: which is the best workout shoe? “Animal fighting happens all over Scotland. Badger baiting is still a depressingly common activity in Scotland. “Badger mothers are vicious when they have young. ", This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Yes Sir, I Can Boogie: Why disco hit is now Scotland's unofficial anthem 8. The growing menace of urban badger baiters is being tackled by a team of amateur detectives. Robert King had sent two Jack Russell Terriers into a sett after digging it … Britain’s largest carnivore has a fearsome folk reputation – and you shouldn’t approach a hurt badger – but it actually feeds mainly on earthworms. Last Tuesday, Leslie Fowell of Rock Ferry, Merseyside was jailed for a year at Wirral magistrates court for eight offences under the Protection of Badgers Act. SSPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said last night: “Badger baiting does account for the vast majority of baiting cases. A BADGER-BAITING gang was smashed after a teenager posted images of a helpless animal being killed by a dog, on a social networking site. Evidence of badger baiting has been uncovered in the south of Scotland, according to wildlife investigators. However, with illegal persecution increasing, Scottish Badgers are asking the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to help protect one of our most iconic wildlife species. Badger baiting involves digging a badger out of its sett, where dogs lie in wait to pounce on it and fight to the death. Signs of badger baiting like this should be reported to the police using the 101 number and also to operationscoordinator@scottishbadgers.org.uk. EU membership drove support for SNP but leaving is a boost for the union, Jacob Rees-Mogg claims, Nationalist propaganda disguised as history for school children is a worrying sign about where Scotland is heading – Brian Wilson. Broadband ISPs Don't Want You Buying One, But They Are Not Illegal, You Will Never Have To Scrub A Toilet Again If You Try This New Toilet Cleaner. There had been a significant amount of digging which is another tactic used in an attempt to unearth the badgers and provoke a fight. Sara Shaw, Head of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit said: “I welcome the conviction and sentence of Robert King and the message it sends to others who would cause such terrible and unnecessary suffering. Robert King, from Motherwell, was sentenced on 26th November 2020, at Lanark Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two charges under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and a charge under the Animal Health … Britain’s biggest carnivore. “We are pleased that awareness of badger baiting and animal fighting among members of the public is increasing. The court made a deprivation order removing the surviving terrier and the lurcher from King’s ownership. Badger baiting: North Wales Farm worker Damien Sweeney jailed. "Badger baiting is so violent, and both the badgers and the dogs suffer, so that was hard to deal with. “Badger mothers are vicious when they have young. There had been a significant amount of digging which is another tactic used … The cruel and menacing hunters are being tracked down by a selection of amateur detectives after images and videos appeared online of … The 33-year-old was caught in the act of digging into an active badger sett in woodland near Carluke Train Station on 25 April 2018. Manchester United vs Man City LIVE - latest score, goals and updates from Premier League fixture, 10 best Christmas hats for virtual festive parties, Mercedes sells Smart plant to Ineos, but the tiny EV lives on, Covid vaccines: Fears for double dosing as GPs left without up-to-date data amid NHS IT chaos, Dozens of GPs opt out of Pfizer vaccine rollout next week, Brexit: Pet passports needed to cross Irish Sea from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, Are pubs and restaurants open on Christmas Day? And then there are badger-baiters. 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