Help catch the Ayrshire badger baiters.

Dec 23 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BRUTAL badger baiting is going on in rural areas across Ayrshire.

And the SSPCA believe wives and girlfriends are the key to stopping the horrendous crime.

The charity is in the process of securing several convictions against dog owners who use their pets to drive badgers out of their sets.

The dogs then chase and fight with the badgers – often until one of them is killed.

Many badger baiters then post photos of their dog’s horrendous injuries online – branding them as ‘medals’.

An inspector for the SSPCA’s special investigations unit, who work undercover, explained: “I’ve seen video footage of badger hunts and it’s stomach churning. The noise and screaming from the badgers is horrible.

“But badgers are well able to defend themselves. There are two elements to this so-called sport - the cruelty to the badger and the suffering of the dog.

“Some people go to extreme lengths to dig badger sets. They’ll often dig 15 to 20 metres into hard ground to break a chamber.

“The dog will then drive a badger out and fight with it.”

The inspector added: “People often ask what the point of it is. Sometimes there is betting involved but it doesn’t tend to be about money.

“It’s about inflicting cruelty on badgers to elevate the status of your dog. A dog who can kill a badger is seen as desirable, game and tough.”

In a bid to end the crime, the SSPCA wants wives and girlfriends to report their partner if they suspect he is involved in it.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Many are distraught when a partner returns home with their dog suffering from terrible injuries.

“The baiters will regularly self-treat the dogs rather than take them to a vet and be exposed. This can result in a dog's suffering being prolonged and in some cases the animals simply die from their injuries and infection or indeed are killed by their owner.

“It's very unlikely members of the public will ever see a baiter walking their dog publicly, because anyone who saw one of these dogs would be very alarmed and hopefully they'd call us straight away.”

“Badger baiting is abhorrent and has no place in modern society. Both the dogs and the badgers will fight until they are horrifically injured or dead. How anyone can derive pleasure from such an activity is beyond belief, but it is happening here in Ayrshire.”

Anyone who has information should contact the animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

All information is treated in the strictest confidence and can be left anonymously.

Animal fighting is a criminal offence under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) 2006.

Anyone found guilty of organising or being involved in an animal fight can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Maximum sentences include up to 12 months in prison, a £20000 fine or both.