Badger baiter jailed after dogs badly hurt
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| BADLY BITTEN: One of John William Lee's injured dogs after badger baiting. Picture: RSPCA |
A MAN has been looked up for six
months after being found guilty
of taking part in the "barbaric
sport" of badger baiting.
John William Lee was arrested
as he walked through a busy
town centre while blood
dripped from the face of one of
his dogs.
The 40-year-old was also carrying
a rucksack on his back with
a garden spade sticking out of
the top. When his bag was
searched, an eight-inch machete
was found.
At his trial at Teesside Magistrates'
Court yesterday, Lee,
of Farndale Avenue, Middlesbrough,
denied one charge of
wilfully attempting to take a badger
and two charges of causing
unnecessary suffering to his two
dogs.
But the court was told that one
of his dogs was in such a terrible
condition that a member of the
public flagged down a police officer.
Lee was arrested in the middle
of the afternoon on January 26
last year as he made his way
through Yarm town centre.
Matthew Brash, television vet
and badger expert, told the court
the wounds on the Plummer terrier
were the type associated
with badger bites.
But Lee's solicitor Nic Woodhouse
said: "There was no evidence
that any badger had been
injured by his dogs and there was
no evidence that any badger had
been found dead.
"My client suffers from mental
health issues and anger management
problems. When he has
these problems he takes himself
away into the country for a
couple of weeks until he calms
down."
Magistrates found Lee guilty
and sentenced him to six months
for wilfully attempting to take a
badger. He was also sentenced to
two months concurrent for causing
unnecessary suffering to his
dogs and for allowing them to
come in contact with wild animals.
The court heard the cost of
bringing the case and kennel fees
was in excess of £10,000, but due
to Lee's lack of income no court
costs were imposed. Both dogs
are still in the care of the RSPCA.
Speaking after the hearing,
RSPCA Inspector Mark Gent
said: "This sentence sends out a
strong message to the people that
are intent on taking part in this
so-called sport.
"Badger baiting is still a problem
and the RSPCA will respond
to any information that we are
given from members of the public.
"This is a cruel and barbaric
sport and it should be stopped."
7:49am Saturday 29th March 2008
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