POLICE officers discovered a badger trap yesterday in Reading yesterday in what they believe to have been an example of ‘badger baiting’.
Badger baiting is an outlawed ‘blood-sport’ in which badgers are baited with dogs, most commonly resulting in the death of the former.
It was made illegal almost 200 years in 1835.
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Baiters will build artificial dens and place captured badgers in them before setting a dog on the badger.
After finding the badger trap yesterday, Thames Valley Police Reading posted on Facebook: “Reading neighbourhood PCSOs yesterday attended a badger set whereby sadly we believe the badgers have been subject to what's called badger baiting.
“If you come across any disturbed badger sets or see man-made holes similar to the ones pictured here, please report it via 101.
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“Badgers and their sets are protected by law and we will pursue and prosecute anyone found to be causing harm to these amazing animals.”
The practice of baiting of animals is now specifically forbidden under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.
And the cruelty towards and death of a badger constitutes an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
Badger baiters can face up to six months in jail or a fine of up to £5,000 for badger baiting.
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