The UK government's badger culling policy to control bovine tuberculosis has generated significant controversy about both efficacy and animal welfare.
Badger culling causes suffering through multiple pathways. Cage-trapped badgers experience prolonged stress and fear before shooting. Shooting wounded animals that escape causes suffering from non-lethal injuries. Family groups are disrupted, causing surviving badgers to move and potentially spread disease more widely. Social disruption of badger social structures causes ongoing stress for survivors. The welfare cost is significant and the epidemiological benefit disputed.