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Badger baiter banned after terriers hurt
A BUSINESSMAN has been ordered to pay £6,000 and banned from keeping terriers after nearly killing two dogs while badger baiting.
Stephen Tucker's two terriers were left covered in blood and one had to have its nose sewn together when they were attacked by badgers during an illegal dig.
Both dogs fell unconscious with shock after suffering cuts to the face, neck, legs and chest and only survived after receiving days of treatment at an RSPCA centre.
Tucker, of Lyndhurst Avenue, Blidworth, north Nottinghamshire, initially denied owning the dogs and claimed the site wasn't a badger sett.
He later admitted animal cruelty and interfering with a badger sett during a hearing at Worksop magistrates court. A specialist vet had earlier confirmed the dog's injuries were caused by a badger.
Tucker, aged 50, was caught when a badger group in Retford saw him and three other men digging a sett in a local woodland.
Police and RSPCA officers were called to the scene but two men escaped and another was later acquitted.
Ian Callingham, RSPCA Regional Wildlife Officer, said: "Mr Tucker knows a lot about wildlife but he uses his knowledge for a destructive rather than constructive purpose.
"These acts are utterly horrendous. It's a barbaric seventeenth century activity which has no place in tewnty-first century Britain.
"I'me pleased we got a conviction and that the dogs have been re-homed. The terriers were in a terrible state and at first we thought they may have to be put down."
Tucker was ordered to pay 6,000 costs to the RSPCA and to complete 180 hours community punishment. He was also banned from keeping terriers for life.
Tucker, who is believed to be a self-employed builder, has a previous conviction for interfering with a badger sett.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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