Dog held as badger baiters flee

Oct 25 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE RSPCA is looking for the owners of a dog used by badger baiters near a south Wirral village.

The Staffy-Patterdale cross-breed was left behind by four track-suited youths who were disturbed setting a pack of dogs on a badger sett near Puddington.

Two men, walking their dogs, stumbled across the scene in woodland near the village at about 6pm on Sunday evening.

RSPCA inspector Nadine Pengilly said: “One of the men ran after the youths, but they managed to escape. The other wrestled with the dogs to get them off the badger.”

Three of the dogs ran off with their owners, but the men managed to keep hold of the fourth and took it home and phoned the RSPCA.

Nadine said: “He’s a very distinctive dog, a young male, and really lovely. He’s been treated for facial injuries at the vets but otherwise he's okay.”

The dog is now in RSPCA care, and the charity is trying to trace the youths who are described as aged between 16 and 20 years old, white, and were wearing black tracksuits.

If you have information call the 24-hour RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.