Three badgers illegally shot in Shropshire may have been killed after farmers started own cull
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three badgers that were illegally shot in Shropshire may have been killed by farmers “let down” by the postponement of the badger cull, an animal welfare group has claimed.
The protected animals were killed near Ellesmere nature reserve in Shropshire in September. X-rays have confirmed that they were shot.
Plans to cull badgers to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle have been under consideration by the Government for several years.
Last month the Environment Minister Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, postponed a planned trial cull in Gloucestershire and Somerset until next year.
The Chairman of Shropshire Badger Group, Jim Ashley said: “My suspicion is that someone possibly feels let down by the postponement of the cull and has taken matters into their own hands. Whoever is responsible needs to be brought to justice.”
The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 makes it illegal to kill, injure or take badgers, or to interfere with a badger sett. Last year there were 375 reported incidents of badger crime, according to Ian Hutchison, the Crime Prevention lead for Operation Meles, which investigates violations of the Act.
Figures for 2012 were not yet available, Mr Hutchison said, adding that there was not yet enough evidence to point to an increase in killings, trappings or sett disturbance since the postponement of the trial badger cull.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments