Badger Bait Digging and Illegal Persecution Prevention

Badger baiting and illegal sett destruction remain significant wildlife crime problems. Prevention relies on community reporting, sett monitoring and law enforcement.

Key Facts

Badger baiting involves digging out badgers from setts and setting dogs on them
It is illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006
An estimated 10,000 badgers are illegally killed annually in the UK
Signs of baiting include fresh digging at sett entrances and terrier dog injuries
The National Wildlife Crime Unit coordinates enforcement across police forces

Welfare Considerations

Badger baiting causes extreme suffering through dog attacks, digging injuries and the terror of capture. It is one of the most flagrant forms of deliberate animal cruelty. Individual badgers that survive attacks may die slowly from injuries in the sett. Prevention requires community awareness — local walkers and countryside users who know their local setts can detect signs of interference quickly and report to police. Sett monitoring through camera traps provides evidence that supports prosecution. Convictions carry up to 6 months imprisonment and unlimited fines under current legislation.

What You Can Do

Report any suspicious activity near known badger setts to 101 or the Wildlife Crime Unit
Monitor local setts with camera traps and share evidence with wildlife crime officers
Contact the Badger Trust for support and guidance on protecting local sett networks
Learn to identify signs of badger digging and terrier dog evidence near setts
Support Badger Trust campaigns for stronger enforcement and sentencing for wildlife crime