Badgers and the LawBadgers
and their setts are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1991. It is an offence to kill,
injure, cruelly ill-treat or take a badger or in any way attempt to do
so.
For more information  Interfering
with a badger sett is also an offence except under exceptional
circumstances under licence from Natural England. Committing an offence
against a badger carries heavy penalties such as a prison sentence and
fines. Dogs and equipment used to commit offences may also be
confiscated.For more information ConservationBadgers
are protected by a number of laws. Badger baiting (using dogs to fight
a badger) has been outlawed since the last century and digging
for them was made illegal by the Badgers Act 1973. Subsequent
legislation has further strengthened the protection of badgers through
the Wildlife and Countryside Acts and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
So, at least in law, the badger is fully protected. However,reports of
badger digging persist in various parts of the country, including
Staffordshire. Badgers are dying in horrific ways from terrible
injuries inflicted as a result of these illegal and barbaric activities
and dogs involved may also be hurt. Therefore it is vital for those
with the interests of the badger at heart to remain vigilant. Clear
evidence including good descriptions of those involved, vehicle
registration numbers etc are essential elements for successful
prosecution of the criminals involved.If you suspect that badger digging or baiting is taking place dial 999 and, if it is safe to do so,
observe and make a note of full details of location, description
of persons, dogs ,equipment, vehicles and their registration
numbers.
Do not approach those involved as this may be dangerousIf you know of or suspect someone of badger baiting or digging but
do not want to get involved, then ring Crimestoppers - an independent
charity working to fight crime - where you can call anonymously with
informationCrimestoppers 0800 555 111
|
