A 'badger baiting' site was uncovered by police, with investigations continuing. The plot of disturbed earth was discovered by a campaigning charity and reported to Greater Manchester Police.
The force says investigations are ongoing, with no arrests reported as yet. Badgers are protected by law and it's an offence to take, injure or kill a badger, as well as to interfere with a badger sett.
The discovery was made by the South Manchester Badger Group, which was set up during the coronavirus lockdown as crimes against badger rose, in a wooded area close to Armitage Close in Hyde, Tameside. And, the group revealed it has raised the cruel practice of badger baiting in Greater Manchester with the mayor, Andy Burnham, and senior police chiefs.
READ MORE:
In a statement, GMP Tameside South and West said: "Police received information regarding a 'badger baiting' site being located by the South Manchester Badger Group in the wooded area close to Armitage Close in Hyde. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 consolidates provisions relating to the protection of badgers and their environment. It specifies offences relating to killing, injuring or taking badgers or interfering with their setts."
The force issued a public appeal for information after the find. Police added: "If you have any information to assist the police or have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area please contact Greater Manchester Police via 101 or online and quote Incident number 001295-30062022."
In response, the South Manchester Badger Group, a small non=profit charity group run by volunteers, said: "We'd like to thank GMP Tameside South and West for being so proactive when we reported this last week and for sending an officer out. Badger baiting and other wildlife crime happens a lot in Greater Manchester and sadly it is increasing.
"For anyone who knows or suspects badger baiting is happening or other wildlife crime, please do report to the police and also feel free to private message us.
"Our co-founders met with GMP, an RSPCA representative and the Mayor of Greater Manchester last week and we were thrilled with how seriously they took our findings. We are looking forward to building on that meeting and bolstering a good working relationship going forward so that we can protect our beloved, and heavily persecuted badgers."
The so-called 'sport' see small dogs sent down badger setts to find the animals and hold them while baiters outside wait to dig them out. Badger baiting was made illegal in 1835 under the Cruelty to Animals Act and badgers have been granted further protection by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT :
- Woman detained under Mental Health Act after flat fire in Rochdale
- GMP still in special measures as list of forces which are getting extra scrutiny is published
- Thick plumes of smoke seen above Salford after heap of rubbish sets on fire at recycling centre
- 'Utter shambles' at chaos-hit Manchester Airport as queues stretch back to the CAR PARK
- Parents given fresh warning over Huggy Wuggy character as children mimic 'killer teddy'
