Badger:

Petrol poured into badger sett and lit: Police appeal

This in from the police, in their own words, Ed


Police are appealing to the public for information after the entrance of a badger sett was set on fire.

It happened at St Boniface Down and reported to police on 31 March. It appears that petrol was poured into the sett.

Sergeant Richard Stapleton who is investigating said:

“We’d like to hear from you if you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area over the past few days.

“Did you see anyone with a red plastic petrol container? One was left behind at the scene and we think the person responsible may have suffered some injuries in committing this crime.”

He added:

“This is a particularly cruel and reckless action that could have caused extensive and unnecessary suffering. There is no evidence at this time to say any badgers were injured, but the person responsible clearly has no regard for wild animals.”

Get in touch
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Stapleton by phoning 101. Mini-com users can phone 18001 101.

If you wish to remain anonymous, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Image: Karen White under CC BY 2.0

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Hawk
2, April 2014 12:17 pm

What exactly will the police do about it?

They didn’t charge the bloke in Niton and he even admitted to poisoning badgers.

Lee Majors
Reply to  Hawk
2, April 2014 3:55 pm

Hawk, don’t forget that the bloke in Niton had to pay for the clean up…… This sends out a message to everyone that they can commit a wildlife crime here on the island and if they get caught then simply pay a days wage to someone to clean up the mess and jobs’a’good’un. I can just imagine that if the culprit pays to clean the burnt earth… Read more »

Vincent
2, April 2014 12:17 pm

This makes me very sad. I do not understand how or why somebody would do this.. I hope that the spiteful coward responsible is given the same treatment that they dished out to that family of badgers.

Animal Lover
2, April 2014 12:22 pm

I agree, I think it was outrageous that the police did nothing about the man in Niton. By not charging him, it clearly sent a message that they’ll let people like the person above in this story get away with murder.

I have lost all respect for the island police.

Hottie Pottie
2, April 2014 12:33 pm

What kind of person can do this to innocent animals?

An eye for an eye I say. Set fire to the entrance of their home and see how they like it.

Sammie
2, April 2014 3:47 pm

Disgusting cowards, whoever they are

retired Hack
2, April 2014 4:00 pm

When police say this isn’t linked to previous cases, one would hope they mean that the man aged 65, who they let off with a caution for tipping bucket-loads of poison down badger setts in Niton, has been eliminated after being re-questioned quite rigorously. This is what would normally happen with known offenders when a similar offence is reported locally.

tryme
2, April 2014 6:42 pm

People here who detail what vengeance they would wreak are showing they share similar impulses to the perpertrator of this ghastly deed. I would rather see this sort of behaviour left behind, not continued.

Lee Majors
Reply to  tryme
2, April 2014 6:52 pm

@tryme ok then, what is your idea of punishment for this act? Say you were the person responsible for handing out a punishment/fine/sentence. What would you give? What is “acceptable” to you for attempting to kill/or indeed may have killed underground by smoking out, a protected species? And I am correct in saying it is a badgers breeding season so there will be baby badgers underground. £30… Read more »

tryme
Reply to  Lee Majors
2, April 2014 6:59 pm

A serious sentence from a Court, not a repeat of barbarous behaviour. If you’re saying that only vigilante justice will do, we’re in trouble.

Lee Majors
Reply to  tryme
2, April 2014 7:03 pm

Yes, I think you can work out yourself that we would not personally “do” any of the barbaric acts mentioned above, but it is something we would “like” to do in our own imagination.

And I asked what you would hand down, what is a “serious sentence” for this crime that you mention?

tryme
Reply to  Lee Majors
2, April 2014 7:15 pm

Not sure why you’re asking me that. You can open it out to anyone here if you would like opinions as to a suitable sentence. My point was different.

Lee Majors
Reply to  Lee Majors
2, April 2014 7:21 pm

I asked you because you seemed to think that our ideas of punishment were too violent.
So you must have had an idea of what was acceptable in this case?

tryme
Reply to  Lee Majors
2, April 2014 7:30 pm

I am against ad hoc violence but in favour of a Court sentencing someone.That was my point. Over and out on that one.

Don Smith
2, April 2014 9:12 pm

The punishment (?) given to the **** who placed poison around badger sets has set a precedence. It has left the door open for any other ****. This person should have been named and charged, and gone in front of a Judge. I ask some questions: Why was the person not named? And why are the police protecting this person? They must have a reason. We are… Read more »

Hermit
Reply to  Don Smith
3, April 2014 8:08 am

Don, don’t go for juveniles, if a 65 yr old was responsible for the other incident. Young people do many things, but not this. I am convinced this is hunt/CA related as they continually think they are above the law, and appear to be amongst the so called great and the good on this Island

Don Smith
3, April 2014 8:26 pm

A 65 year old Man? Do you know something the rest of us want to know?

Hermit’s: I referred to juveniles simply because I, like most of us are picking at straws. Name and shame! No one should be above the law – with the exception of MPs, policemen and hunters.

Hermit
3, April 2014 8:44 pm

Just that a 65 yr old was responsible for the poisoning and wasn’t charged, so obviously CA or hunt member

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