Police investigate badger traps in the Yorkshire Dales

Officers from North Yorkshire Rural Task Force are investigating the two possible wildlife crimes after two badgers were found allegedly injured by a snare.

The first badger was found on the B6479 road from Studfold to Horton in Ribblesdale.

A veterinarian examined the injuries and determined that they were not caused by a collision with a vehicle, but by a snare trap.

A few weeks ago, a dead badger cub was found on the road at the same location. However, it was too badly damaged by being run over several times to determine the cause of death.

According to police, deliberately trapping badgers is illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and killing badgers is also a criminal offence.

If anyone knows of any information about the capture or release of this or any other badger, they are asked to contact the North Yorkshire Police Rural Task Force on 101 and quote reference number 12240162133. If you wish to report the incident anonymously, you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.