Badger-baiting or badger baiting is a criminal blood sport in which badgers are baited, i.e. forced to combat a succession of hounds. A baiting session typically results in the death of the badger, and possibly serious injuries to the dogs.
Background
The badger is a usually quiet and docile creature in its own domain; however, when cornered or when a threat is perceived it can possess impressive courage. Weighing up to thirty-five pounds when fully grown, the badger has an extraordinarily dangerous bite, which it is willing to use recklessly when threatened. In addition, badgers have extremely powerful claws, used for digging in hard earth, which are more than capable of injuring a dog. A formidable adversary for any dog, the badger was a sought-after participant for the fighting pit.
Drawing the badger
In order to use the badger's ability to defend itself to test the dog, artificial badger dens were built, captured badgers were put in them and then the dog was set on the badger. The badger would be placed in a box, which was furnished in imitation of its den and from there a tunnel led upward. The owner of the badger puts his animal in the box. The timekeeper is equipped with a watch and the badger's owner releases the dog for the fight. Whoever wants to pit his dog against the badger lets it slide into the tunnel. Usually the dog is seized immediately by the badger and the dog in turn grips the badger. Each bites, tears and pulls the other with all their might. The owner quickly pulls out the dog whose jaws are clamped obstinately onto the badger by its tail. The two are separated and the badger is returned to its den. Then the dog is sent back in to seize the badger and it again is drawn out with the badger. This scene is repeated over and over again. The more often a dog is able to seize the badger within a minute, so that both can be pulled out together, the more it is up to the task and is considered game.
Drawing the badger came to England in the 1700s and soon became a very popular sideshow in the pit. It provided a new opportunity to win or lose money by betting. Drawing the badger thus became a permanent part of the fight in the pit. Baits were staged outside the pit in cellars or taverns, as an interesting attraction for the guests.
Towards the middle 1800s Badger-baiting declined in popularity to be replaced by dog fighting.
Badger dogs
Some dog breeds were specifically developed for badger-baiting whilst several other breeds were used in this task in addition to more general vermin control. In the United kingdom and Ireland terrier breeds such as the Airedale terrier, Bedlington terrier, Blue Paul terrier, Fox terrier, Glen of Imaal terrier, Sealyham terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Welsh terrier, Wheaten terrier and Kerry blue terrier were most often used. In other parts of Northern Europe Dachshund and Basset hound types were to the fore and in Southern Europe breeds such as the Portuguese Podengo were used.
Strict Irish Kennel Club rules governed the Teastas Mor (certificate of gameness). It was considered that the discipline ensured contests between dog and badger were fair. In the past, to become an Irish Kennel Club terrier champion, it was necessary for a terrier to be in possession of a Teastas Mor. These continued until the kennel ceased to license trials in 1968.
In addition, there were many other badger clubs; each had their own rules, which varied considerably. Frequently, the badger was afforded little protection.
Animal cruelty
Apart from the cruelty towards badgers, dogs are also brutalized in the blood sport. Dogs usually suffer injuries of the face and neck. In some cases, the injuries are such that the dogs must be euthanized.
Today, baiters often refrain from taking injured dogs to the vet's as the doctor might understand what has taken place and report the owners to the police. For this reason the badger is often crippled and/or restrained to minimise the risk of injury to dogs. The badger's long front claws may be filed off; the canine teeth may be pulled out; the animal's limbs or jaw may be broken with a shovel. To inhibit the badger's movement, the tendons in its hind legs may be cut. Griffiths et al. mention nailing badgers to the ground by the tail.[1][2][3]
When the badger can no longer fight, it is killed by the baiters. Known modes of killing include shooting, stabbing, or beating to death with a shovel. Dead badgers are sometimes dumped by the roadside to be mistaken for roadkill (a major cause of badger mortality).[1]
Legal standing
Badger baiting was outlawed in the United Kingdom as early as 1835, with the Cruelty to Animals Act. The practice of baiting of animals is now specifically forbidden under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.[4]
Moreover, the cruelty towards and death of the badger constitute offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, and further offences under this act are inevitably committed to facilitate badger baiting (such as interfering with a sett, or the taking or the very possession of a badger for purposes other than nursing an injured animal to health). If convicted, badger baiters may face a sentence of up to 6 months in jail, a fine of up to ₤5000, as well as other punitive measures, such as community service or a ban from owning dogs.[5]
In the Irish Republic, badgers and their setts are protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1976, and the Wildlife Amendment Act, 2000.
Badger baiting today
Despite having been illegal for over 170 years, badger baiting has continued throughout the British Isles until present day in a clandestine manner. In February 2009, the Sunday Times reported that badger baiting is practiced by "hardcore terrier men" who are internationally organized, and that a new breed of dog - a Patterdale Terrier cross - is gaining popularity among baiters. The Times has also reported that there is little attention on the part of the Irish government towards animal cruelty in general.[6] The report led to a police operation in Ulster in which a number of dogs were seized, but no arrests were made. [7]
A British activist group estimates about 2000 people are involved in baiting in the UK, whereas only a handful of people are caught and tried.[8] In Ireland, the NPWS has secured only 10 convictions for the illegal persecution of badgers in the last 20 years.[6]
Badger baiting is currently believed to be on the rise according to animal welfare organizations.[9] A group called the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association maintains a list of convicted badger baiters and baiting trials on its website. [10]
See also
References
- ^ a b Jackson, Steve. "Badger baiting". Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ Todd, Stephanie (2002-08-17). "Badger baiting is back warns SSPCA". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ Griffiths, H.I., Thomas, D.H., Council of Europe (1997). The conservation and management of the European badger (Meles meles). p. 53. ISBN 9287134472.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Protection of Animals Act 1911 (revised)". OPSI website. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ "Protection of Badgers Act 1992". OPSI website. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ a b Mooney, John (2009-02-22). "Exposed: The evil world of badger baiting". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ "Crackdown appeal after swoops on badger-baiting ring". The Belfast Telegraph. 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ "The Most Evil Bloodsport in the Country". Digging Out website. 2006-07-16. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ "Badger and deer crime on the rise". BBC News. 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ^ "Vermin Patrol". North West Hunt Saboteurs Association. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
Further reading
- Fleig, D. (1996). History of Fighting Dogs. pg 99 - 105 T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-7938-0498-1
- Homan, M. (2000). A Complete History of Fighting Dogs. pg 111 - 120 Howell Book House Inc. ISBN 1-58245-128-1
- King, H.H. (1931 1st ed.). Working Terriers, Badgers And Badger Digging. Read Country Books. ISBN 1-905124-20-1
External links
- Badger-baiting
- Badger baiting
- BBC - Uncovering the badger baiter
- Wildlife Online
- Badger baiter banned after terriers hurt
- Teastas Mor
- Badger info