Three men arrested for badger baiting
Avon and Somerset police have arrested three people suspected to have been hunting with dogs and badger baiting. The three, which includes two boys, aged 15 and 17 years old and a 28 year old man are being held in police custody.
Police raided two properties in south Bristol after warrants were issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in a joint operation with the RSPCA. Nine dogs were seized in the operation along with cannabis plants, five air rifles and other hunting paraphernalia.
The police reported the dogs had injuries believed to be recent and were being treated by vets trying to establish the cause of these.
League chief executive Joe Duckworth said: “This is a great example of how important partnership working between the police and animal welfare organisations can be in cracking down on this type of criminality. We need a zero tolerance approach to wildlife crime to send a clear message that individuals who commit crimes such as badger baiting will feel the full force of the law”.