Man sentenced after interfering with badger sett in Shropshire by filling it in
A man has been given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to interfering with a badger sett in Shropshire.
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Ryan Brennan of Kennel Cottage, Pen y Lan, Ruabon in Wrexham, was sentenced at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday.
The court heard that in January this year, the 24-year-old found a badger sett at Cockshutt, near Ellesmere, and interfered with it by filling it in - using soil conditioners also known as fillers to maintain the chemical concentration of fertilisers and to decrease the soil's acid content - which can cause the animal unnecessary harm and suffering.
An act such as this is illegal in the UK as badgers are a protected animal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
West Mercia Police PC Jono Lightfoot, who led the investigation, said: “At West Mercia we take wildlife crime very seriously and will investigate any reports we receive of people interfering with protected animals, such as badgers.
“We are pleased with the sentence handed to Brennan by the judge, and we hope this sends a strong message to anyone who plans on carrying out wildlife crimes."
