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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

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.