Police search Haworth Moor in wildlife crime probe
Posted 17th June 2019
A popular West Yorkshire beauty spot has been searched by the police and RSPCA during an investigation into animal cruelty.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police and the RSPCA searched Haworth Moor, which is owned and leased out for grouse shooting by Yorkshire Water, on Thursday, 13 June.
The investigation follows intelligence on alleged wildlife crime provided to the law enforcement bodies by Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire’s Moors, obtained as part of its joint campaign with the League Against Cruel Sports.
It is understood that multiple animal traps have been seized as evidence during the search.
In a joint statement, Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire’s Moors and the League Against Cruel Sports, said:
“Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire’s Moors and the League Against Cruel Sports thank West Yorkshire Police and the RSPCA for promptly following up intelligence on alleged wildlife crime on Haworth Moor — resulting in a number of animal traps being seized.
“It is completely unacceptable that wild animals have been caused suffering and people’s pets put at risk by grouse shooting activities conducted on Yorkshire Water’s watch.
“If Yorkshire Water wants to be recognised as taking its environmental responsibilities seriously then ending its grouse shooting leases is the only course of action which will suffice.
“Only by ending the negative impact grouse shooting has on wildlife and the environment will Yorkshire Water truly become the environmental champion it espouses to be.”
Yorkshire Water is facing growing pressure to end grouse shooting on its moors across the region.
Over 130,000 people have signed a petition to its CEO, Richard Flint, urging the company to pull the plug on its eleven controversial shooting leases.
The utility company announced a review into the future of grouse shooting on moorland in neighbouring Calderdale in March, which BBYM and the League have welcomed as a step in the right direction, but say it’s not enough.
Campaigners say that Yorkshire Water must now broaden out its review to encompass its other grouse shooting leases, where wildlife is being killed and habitat damaged to boost red grouse populations for shooting.
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