Committee of Inquiry
Into Hunting with Dogs.
P O. Box 31010
London 0207 960 6014

6 February 2000.

Dear Sir

I would like to submit the enclosed evidence for your committee's kind attention, and the effect I believe the banning of hunting with dogs would have on the protection of badgers.

We believe that the legal occupation of fox hunting is being used to cover up a far greater case of wild animal abuse, such as badger digging and baiting.

I have been involved in the protection of badgers for about 18 years.

Please find a copy of my experience enclosed.

As I am sure you are aware, badgers are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Unfortunately this does not stop them being widely persecuted by men hunting with dogs. It is estimated that approximately 9000 badgers are baited to death each year, and that there is a ready illegal market for live badgers which are sold for baiting.

It would appear that the public's main belief is that hunting is only carried out by people dressed in pink, on horses, with hounds, but I would like to bring to your attention other activities that take place which are carried out by men hunting with dogs i.e. terrier men. The RSPCA has obtained 271 convictions for badger offences since 1986. These figures do not take into account prosecutions made by the police. These illegal attacks on badgers are carried out by men hunting with dogs.

It appears to be not widely known by the public that in the operation of fox hunting by fox hunts, terrier men pay a large part in the killing of the fox. Many times the fox either eludes the hounds or goes to ground. If the fox does go to ground, it is dug out by men with dogs and killed This can take many hours and I believe can cause unnecessary suffering to a wild animal.

Another fact that seems not widely appreciated is that many more foxes are killed by fox destruction gangs than by registered hunts. At the moment there is very little control of how fox hunts kill foxes, but there is no control what so ever on the manner in which the fox is put to death by fox destruction gangs. In the areas of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceridigian, men with fox hounds in vans drive from the South Wales Valleys most weekends from October until April to kill foxes. These are not people from the countryside, they are urban people. They are accompanied by terrier men and their dogs. There is I believe no dispute that badger digging is carried out by men hunting with dogs, it cannot be carried out any other way.

In a recent survey, that we in the badger group, carried out for a badger digging prosecution by the police, based on maps found in the car of men hunting with dogs, every cross on these maps that was surveyed was found to be on or near a badger sett. 40% had human interference (dug). Badger digging and baiting is carried out by men with dogs, terrier type dogs. These are the same type of dogs and men that are often used by fox hunts. I enclose a list of successful prosecutions taken out by the RSPCA against members of hunts since 1983. The link between legal hunting with dogs and illegal activities is now well documented.

It is a misconception to think that the issue hear is of, "if the practice of chasing a fox with dogs and riders on horses, where the fox dies with a quick nip to the neck, (a very debatable point), should be banned". It is much more than that, it is whether the abuse of other wild animals will also cease if the banning of hunting with dogs is brought into force. We believe it will have a considerable check on that abuse. I would like to quote to you a statement made by JNP Watson - ex master of Beagles. "It is my belief that - unwillingly and unfortunately legal hunting's darkest side is that it gives encouragement to men who indulge in such evil practices as badger baiting, cockfighting, digging cubs, and dog fighting, indiscriminate shooting and all sorts of harassment of animals in the name of sport".

In nearly every prosecution for badger digging I have attended in 18 years, the defence has always pleaded "we were digging for foxes". If a ban on the hunting with dogs was brought into force it would be one more step on the way to stopping the abuse of wild animals. If there is any need for the control of wild animals it should be done in a strictly monitored manner and not in its present form.

Just as nobody now considers the ban on bear baiting and cock fighting to be an intolerable infringement of liberty or an interference with traditional country pursuits, in years to come the banning of hunting with dogs will seem the same.

Yours sincerely

Chairman Badger Watch & Rescue Dyfed

BADGER GROUPS

I have been studying badgers for approximately 18 years. I was a member of The West Wales Badger Group from 1989 until 1997 where I held the posts of area representative for Whitland and group spokesman on Badgers and Bovine TB.
In 1997 I was a founder member of Badger Watch and Rescue Dyfed. My position in the group at present is Chairman and area representative for Whitland. The work of the badger group includes explaining to the public the life of the badger, to ensure the enjoyment of our wildlife and increase the understanding of our largest carnivore. The group also campaigns and takes active measures to stop the illegal badger digging and baiting that still goes on locally to a greater extent than is generally known. Also campaigning for a better understanding on the subject of Bovine Tuberculosis and badgers.

TALKS AND LIAISON WITH THE PUBLIC

In my role as area representative I give day schools to new members on Badger sett recognition and their general life.
I also give talks to other badger groups and members of the public on the badger and its habits. I have held a night badger watch for the West Wales Wildlife Trust and given talks to the public at their Wildlife Centre in Cilgerran near Cardigan.
I have given talks to numerous other groups such as school children, WI and RSPCA groups etc. Also attend agricultural shows to reach the farming community. In May 1999 I worked with The Children's Society in organising a day school from South Camden Community School. London. The day school consisted of a talk on badgers and a visit to a local badger sett. I have lectured at Carmarthen College on Badgers.

LEGAL

In 1994 I was asked by Cardigan Police to carry out a badger sett survey which was used in a badger digging prosecution.
I have also been asked by the RSPCA to work with them on badger sett recognition and was called by them as an expert witness in a successful badger digging prosecution in 1994.
In 1998 was asked by Carmarthen Police to attend an incident in a quarry and give my opinion on whether a badger sett had been interfered with or not.
I have given a lecture to Wildlife Officers in the police on badger protection and how to successfully make use of their existing powers. I have been used by The Crown Prosecution Service as an Expert Witness in Court

SURVEYS AND LICENCES

My work includes working with statutory bodies such as Welsh Water and SWALEC also development companies such as road consultants WS Atkins and other private companies on badger surveys. These are needed because of possible contravening of the Badger Protection Act. I am also asked to carry out badger sett surveys for Pembrokeshire County Council.
In 1995 I designed an artificial Badger sett for Road Consultants WS Atkins for the Fishguard by-pass and supervised its installation and the successful transfer of a family of badgers from their old sett to the new sett.
I have been granted licences by The Countryside Council for Wales to carry out necessary work with badgers and their setts.
I have taken part in the National Badger Survey which was carried out by Bristol University and in 1998/99 I also carried out, for the same University a detailed study of one particular family of badgers, which included bait marking, to establish their territory, plotting all the badger setts within their area, organising and carrying out night watches of this family, to determine the size of the group.

COURSES

In 1998 I attended a course at The University of Wales Swansea, "Introduction to Ecology" which included a detailed study of a woodland, its flora and fauna, which included badger setts and fox earths. In 1994 1 attended a day school organised by The National Federation of Badger Groups at Dauntsey School Devizes. The subject was " Badgers, Biology, Ecology and Conservation". Also attended conferences put on by the National Badger Federation of Badger Groups and given a lecture on the link between trace elements and Bovine TB.

MEDIA

I am often asked by the media, TV and radio, to comment on badger related issues. I devised and appeared in a 1/2 hour programme called "Grassroots" on BBC television concerning badgers and bovine TB. I have supplied journalists with information on badgers which have appeared in Newspapers and magazines. In June 1998 I took part in the nature programme "Landmark" with Lionel Kellauray the nature programme presenter. In this programme the life of the badger and its habits were examined in detail. I also took part in a programme on BBC Radio 4 "File on Four" which high lighted the problem of badger digging.

WELFARE

As a part of the badger group I have at my home a sanctuary for injured badgers and foxes These animals are the victims of car accidents, snaring incidents, territorial fights and baiting incidents. If possible they are nursed back to health and returned to the wild. This sanctuary is recognised by the RSPCA and used by them. Over the years of studying and having close contact with badgers and foxes and their environment I have learnt much of both of these animals and their habits.

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Date uploaded to site 16 May 2000