The victim of a vicious attack by gang of badger baiters has bravely spoken out to highlight the scourge of wildlife crime.

The 41-year-old, who does not wish to be named, was viciously beaten on April 28 last year in Bolton when he tried to intervene to stop a gang of baiters from leaving a sett to trap a badger

Now, speaking to the Bolton News he says that he remains determined to take on the badger baiters but believes the law has change to help take the fight to the criminals.

He said: “I was out straight back into it as soon as back on my feet after the attack with more determination but it’s hard work for all volunteers.”

He added: “The unsavoury people involved in these crimes usually are linked into other crimes like dog fighting, drug dealing and violence against people and more.”

The Bolton News:

The man was injured while trying  to stop a gang of badger baiters

He added: “Badger baiting has definitely gotten worse.

“Lancashire Badger Group and South Manchester Badger Group who closely work together have been inundated with reports of badger crimes this past year, Greater Manchester is a hot spot for it.

“A reason why is because they know the police poor response if they get reported and the pathetic sentence they will face if do get caught a maximum of six months under The Protection Of Badgers Act.” 

The man has come forward after the Lancashire Badger Group warned last week that wildlife crime remains a serious problem.

On the weekend police in Oldham received reports of illegal hunting, specifically badger baiting.

The group believes that crimes against wildlife need to be recorded as a specific category of crime, rather than simply being categorised as “miscellaneous.”

The Bolton News:

The man was hospitalised after the attack

The injured volunteer agrees.

He said: “I believe they don’t record wildlife crimes properly because if they did the statistics would show the truth to the public that it is a massive regular crime category.

“This then would force them to answer questions about why they don’t take it as seriously as other crimes and force them to act on wildlife crimes.”

The Lancashire and South Manchester Badger group recommends that anyone who believes they have come across a wildlife crime should phone 999 immediately.