Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 7th February 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Four convicted after ‘landmark’ badger baiting trial
Image of the fake sets which are used to hold a badger for baiting purposes.

Individuals filmed using their dogs to fight with a badger

Three men and a youth have been prosecuted after rare surveillance footage showed a badger being deliberately set on by a pack of dogs.

David William Thomas, Jordan Alexander Houlston, Mark Wyn Morris and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, were filmed by the RSPCA in the act of using their dogs to fight with a badger.

The sentencing occurred on Monday (5 February) following what has been described by the RSPCA as a ‘landmark’ case. RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said that said that the incident was “coordinated and carefully planned cruelty”.

“This was a major and landmark investigation, in which the RSPCA caught a number of individuals red-handed in the act of using their dogs to barbarically fight with a badger,” he said. “Footage of this nature is extremely rare, but lays bare the sickening nature of this cruel and gruesome activity.”

The surveillance footage captured on 5 February 2017 shows the defendants as a badger is set on by a pack of dogs. The court was shown images of fake setts, which are used to hold a badger for baiting purposes, and animal skulls, believed to have been those of badgers or foxes.

Thomas of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, received an immediate prison sentence of 22 weeks and was placed under close supervision for one year. Houlston of Alexandra Road, Llandudno, was given an immediate prison sentence of 20 weeks and also placed under close supervision.

Morris, also of Cwm Bowydd Farm, was given a 10-week prison sentence and suspended for 12 months. The 17-year-old was handed a 10-month referral order, a four-year ban on keeping dogs, and ordered to pay £200 in costs.

“Badger baiting has been illegal for over 180 years, and it is sickening to find people still seeking to spend their time inflicting pain, suffering and misery on animals on this way. This was coordinated and carefully planned cruelty, involving dogs, badgers and foxes,” Mr Briggs continued.

“This prosecution will be a warning to anyone involved in badger baiting activity. If caught, the RSPCA will act, and will seek justice for the animals involved. Put simply, there is no room for this disgusting activity.”

All dogs involved in the case are now in the care of the RSPCA and are due to go forward for rehoming.

Image (C) RSPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.