Badger and Wildlife News
Police Allow Badger Sett Digging
On three separate occasions terriermen from the Isle of Wight Foxhounds entered terriers into confirmed badger setts in persuit of foxes, in each instance the sett was dug and at least two foxes killed. Despite being illegal under the Badgers Act, on each occasion police officers watched but took no action.
Badger Trust Talk
Dave Williams, Mammal Officer at the Surrey Wildlife Trust and Chairman of the Badger Trust UK gave a talk on badgers at the Isle of Wight Wildlife Day at the Freshwater Memorial Hall, Isle of Wight on 24 October 2009.
Snared Badger Put Down
A badger caught in a snare on the Bowcombe Estate at Shorwell could have been trapped in the device for more than a week. The animal had to be put down because of its injuries as the snare, attached to a pole which the badger had dragged an unknown distance, had cut deep into its chest.
Shoot Planned
Top-notch facilities designed to bring well-heeled shooting enthusiasts from across the globe to the Bowcombe Estate at Shorwell have been approved by councillors. The announcement came a few days before a badger was found badly injured by a gamekeeper's snare.
Hunters Dump Carcasses
Two Isle of Wight huntsmen have been fined for dumping animal carcasses in Brighton during the Labour Party Conference. Stuart Trousdale, 33, of Gatcombe, and Jamie Butcher, 39, of Ashley Road, Ryde, both on the Isle of Wight pleaded guilty to public order offences.
Snare Kills Badger
This badger was found dead in a field at Atherfield, Isle of Wight, just north of the Military Road with a home made snare around it attached to a log. The snare had cut in causing terrible injuries A search of the location did not reveal any more snares, although the badger could have dragged the log over a mile.
IOW Huntsmen Case
Stephen Clifton, professional Huntsman of the Isle of Wight Foxhounds living at the hunt kennels at Gatcombe, and James Butcher, a terrier man with the Essex and Suffolk kennels in Lower Layham, Suffolk, where he lived, both denied digging for a badger and attempting to kill, injure or catch one.