Badger baiting suspects target Holme Valley.

BADGER baiters are thought to have struck in the Holme Valley.

Kirklees Badger Group (KBG) found blood around a settwhich had been dug up earlier this month.

Now KBG is urging the public to report any suspicious activity to the organisation, West Yorkshire Police or the RSPCA.

Badger baiting is an illegal blood sport where a badger is drawn from its den (or sett) and torn apart by dogs.

Baiters often equip their dogs with radio collars to find where to dig up the badger's sett.

The vile "sport" was banned in Britain in 1835 but the practice still takes place across the country.

A spokesman for KBG said: "We found pools of blood around where someone had dug down. It was absolutely horrendous.

"I can't understand why anyone would do this.

"We've been lucky we haven't had anything like this in a while. We've had interference with setts before but never anything as bad as this."

For details on KBG call: 01484 687 491 or visit: www.kirklees-badgers.co.uk West Yorkshire Police: 0845 6060606 PC Brian Butterworth and Sally Smart are the force's wildlife officers.

You can report animal cruelty to the RSPCA 24 hours on: 0300 1234 999.

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UNDER THREAT: Badgers are being targeted for 'sport'