Despite Badgers being protected by law they are still killed by terriermen who claim to be after foxes. On Tuesday 28 September 2004, a Wirral man was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment at Wirral Magistrates Court for eight offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (four offences of cruelly ill-treating a badger and four offences of willfully injuring a badger). He was also disqualified from keeping dogs for two years.

The offences came to light in January this year when officers were investigating an incident near to a badger sett at Poulton Hall, Wirral. Leslie Fowell (34) of Rock Ferry, Merseyside, was arrested at his home address on 5 March 2004. When his house was searched officers found still photographs and video-tapes showing his Staffordshire Bull terrier and other dogs fighting with badgers.

Sadly the above case isn't an isolated example, early this year 10 men were arrested near Clitheroe. The best way to help beat badger diggers is to join your local badger group.
 

The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 protects badgers (and their setts) from intentional cruelty and from the results of lawful human activities, such as building developments.

Under the 1992 Act it is an offence to:

• willfully kill, injure, take or attempt to kill, injure or take a badger
• possess a dead badger or any part of a badger
• cruelly ill-treat a badger
• use badger tongs in the course of killing, taking or attempting to kill a badger
• dig for a badger
• sell or offer for sale or control any live badger
• mark, tag or ring a badger
• interfere with a badger sett intentionally or recklessly, by:
  .damaging a sett or any part thereof;
  .destroying a sett;
  .obstructing access to a sett;
  .causing a dog to enter a sett;
  .disturbing a badger while occupying a sett.
   

Lancashire Badger Group
A group dedicated to the conservation and enjoyment of the protected badger. Now incorporates the Pennine Link Badger Group.

The National Federation of Badger Groups
The NFBG promotes the conservation, welfare and protection of badgers, their setts and habitats. It represents and supports 83 local voluntary badger groups throughout Britain, including eight in Wales. The NFBG provides expert advice on all badger issues and works closely with the police, RSPCA and other wildlife conservation and welfare organisations. The NFBG maintains a database on incidents of badger persecution in Britain and is a member of PAW - the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime.

Cumbria Badger Groups
There are several badger groups in Cumbria.

Wirrel and Cheshire Badger Group
We monitor and observe setts. Some of our members have a great deal of experience in this field and have acted as expert witnesses in court cases involving illegal digging.

Badgerland
Great resource for anyone wanting to find their local badger group.

Badger Message Board
Excellent Forum