Police believe active diggers are operating in Flintshire after mutilated badger find

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team are asking local residents in Flintshire to be vigilant after recent reports of possible badger baiting in the county.

Police say they are investigating reports of potentially two badger baiting incidents in Flintshire which they believe happened over the course of last weekend.

A dead badger was found in woods near Pantymwyn, Mold, it had facial and body injuries consistent with those inflicted during a sustained dog attack, the location of the other find has not been disclosed.

Badger find near Mold as tweetd by @NWPRuralCrime

Badger digging normally involves groups of people excavating badger setts and sending in dogs to flush out badgers.

Once caught the animals suffer unbelievable cruelty, including some having their hamstrings cut to stop them escaping certain death at arranged dog fights where illegal betting takes place.

And yes this sad and depraved behaviour happens every week across the UK in 2016. We need your help. #Opbadger @BadgerTrust Report them. pic.twitter.com/dK6Isowkzr

— NWPRuralCrimeTeam (@NWPRuralCrime) December 12, 2016

Badgers killed by dogs are also known to be placed by roadsides to disguise the fact they have been attacked.

Badger baiting has been illegal in Britain since 1835 and the animals have full protection under the Protection of Badgers Act.

The Act makes it an offence to capture, kill or injure a badger, or interfere with the setts in which they live.

Any landowner who knowingly permits badger digging to take place on their land will also be prosecuted.

Dogs are sent down setts with a tracking collar. Offenders then dig down. The dog will receive horrendous facial injuries. Call 101. pic.twitter.com/gkTcsrDgsP

— NWPRuralCrimeTeam (@NWPRuralCrime) December 12, 2016

In a series of posts on social network Twitter an officer from @NWPRuralCrime team said:

“So we have badger diggers active in Flintshire at the moment. Do you suspect someone? Do their dogs have fresh face injuries? Call us on 101”

“We have had such low cases of badger offences here in N Wales and now just before year end, we get this. Disgusting offence”

“Support us and report people who participate in this offence. They don’t deserve your silence, they really don’t.”

Police are asking anyone who has any information or has seen activity they suspect could be related to badger digging and baiting to call them on 101 quoting reference; U186547

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