Dog Ban after Badgers were Disturbed

13 September 2004 - BBC News

Three Derby men who admitted disturbing a badger sett have been banned for life from keeping dogs.

Wayne Hitchcock, 45 and Wayne Hitchcock Junior, 21, both from Derby and Ian Hartley, 29, from Oakwood, denied they were hunting badgers.

They said they had been looking for foxes and rabbits and were only trying to rescue their two dogs after the animals went into the badger setts.

The men were also ordered at Derby Magistrates Court to pay £1,000 costs.

The prosecution was launched by the RSPCA following damage to a badger sett near Morley in April.

Animal welfare officers said the dogs will be rehomed.

For more information, please click the following link:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/3653070.stm