Brockwatch

A check of badger setts in a wood in West Northants during April 2007 revealed that one has been dug into.

The single tunnel of the outlier sett had been dug back for about two metres from its entrance. Spade marks were clearly visible and the incident appears to have taken place within the last 12 months. There was no evidence to show that the sett was still being used by badgers. The nearby main sett showed no signs of human interference and was active.

The person or persons who dug into this sett may have committed several offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. If the sett showed signs indicating current use by badgers at the time when it was dug into, there would have been an offence under Section 3 of the Act (interfering with a badger sett, in this case by damaging it). If the sett was dug into for the purpose of taking a badger, that would have been an offence under Subsection 1(1) of the Act, even if the attempt was unsuccessful. A further offence under Subsection 2(1)(c) - digging for a badger - would also have been committed.

All but one of the other setts in the wood which were checked were found to be active and none showed any signs of persecution. However the attack on this outlier sett suggests that the others are at risk and so more frequent checks will be made on them and other setts in the area.