I have photographed badgers for years for my paintings and it was because I know these wonderful animals so well that I knew I had to investigate when, one sunny day last January, I heard a pack of dogs barking incessently. When I reached the scene I saw eight men, some of them armed with shot guns, and 13 dogs torturing a badger. It was broad daylight close to a public path, and some of the men were laughing. Two of the dogs were tearing and ripping at a badger, which hung suspended between them like a rag doll in a grotesque game of tug-of-war.
I took out my camera and photographed them and the photographs were used as evidence in the trial that followed.
The story was picked up by journalists from across the country and even got a mention on the BBC World Service. But most of the newspapers shied away from publishing the photographs.
I've decided, in the interests of letting the world know that this medieval sport is still alive and kicking, to publish them here. Some of the images are quite upsetting.
It turned out that the men had sent a terrier fitted with a locator collar into the badger sett and this dog had conered the badger in its sleeping chamber. They had then known where to dig down to get the badger out of its sett and force it to fight the dogs.
What those men did was truly horrific.
Click on the words in blue to read the coverage in the national press. Judge condemns badger baiters The Daily Mail; badger baiters jailed after dogs tore apart badger The Mirror; Barbaric gang jailed for badger baiting, The Guardian
6 comments
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Thank you for your kind comments. John, that is terrible. At least the police were able to do something about these men.
Thank you for your bravery, you could have put your own safety in danger. I hope these men rot in hell! I just cannot understand this blood lust or the men who seem to enjoy inflicting pain and suffering on animals. My skin crawls when I think of it.
WELL DONE!
I just wish that all of these low lifes had been put away for years rather than months.
Robert, thanks for having the courage to picture these men and provide the evidence to the Police.
I hope they have time to reflect on their deeds, unfortunately somehow I doubt they will.
You should be commended for your actions.
Mike
A truly horrific story. I’m so glad that those men were apprehended. Around these parts, such behavior is commonplace. I remember a few years ago when a couple of drunken fools shot 200 Caribou, and left their carcasses to rot on the tundra.
The men were put on trial but I dont remember if they were convicted. I know many people who would not hesitate to engage in similar activities. Shameful.