North Yorkshire Police has arrested five men after they were found with dogs attacking badgers in the Kilburn area, leaving one badger dead.
Police received a call at around 1:00a.m on Friday (May 12) from local residents about a 4×4 vehicle in a field and a high-powered torch being used in the area.
When officers responded to the call, they found the group of men on the side of the road with two dogs, one of which was actively attacking a badger.
The men then fled the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee and abandoned the dogs.
Five arrests after men found with dog attacking badger 👇
Five men are in custody this morning after vigilant residents called us about suspected poachers in Hambleton overnight.
Read about what happened here: https://t.co/mI8CVjR9WC pic.twitter.com/VSMWoDVZoD
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) May 12, 2023
After a search of the area, the car was located off the A170 near Felixkirk and the five men were arrested on suspicion of wilfully killing a badger, an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
The two dogs involved were taken to a “secure location to be looked after”, police said, and the jeep was seized.
The men, all from the Stockton-in-Tees area, have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
North Yorkshire Police asked that anyone who is aware of suspicious activity in rural areas – for example vehicles or high-powered torches in unusual or unexpected locations – to report it to the police.
