DYLAN BOYLE CONVICTED IN FALKIRK FOR ILLEGAL BADGER SETT INTERFERENCE

Terrierman Dylan Brendan Boyle, born around 1973 and residing on Falkirk Road, Avonbridge FK1 2LU, was convicted in 2025 for damaging and obstructing access to a badger sett. The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) acquired video evidence that led to Boyle, a former gamekeeper and terrierman for the now-defunct Fife Foxhounds, being found guilty on two charges of interfering with a badger sett. He received a £400 fine.

Investigators from LACS captured footage of Boyle engaging in his illegal activities on January 10, 2023, at a farm located at Cunnoquhie West Hill near Cupar, Fife. The footage revealed Boyle climbing over a wire fence from a field onto a sloping bank, where he then placed netting across the site. He was seen with a terrier dog and with a spade, digging at the location. During the incident, a fox fled from the badger sett and was shot dead by Boyle, who subsequently used the carcass to play with his dog.

The following day, an ecologist examined the site and confirmed that multiple entrances to the sett had been blocked with soil and rocks. Boyle was brought to trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in September 2024, where he was convicted on two charges of interfering with the badger habitat. Charges related to illegal hunting were dropped. The court deferred sentencing until March 2025, at which time Boyle was given a small fine after being noted for good behaviour and because he no longer works in the industry.

Robbie Marsland, director for Scotland and Northern Ireland at the League Against Cruel Sports, criticized the sentence as insufficiently strict. He stated: “Despite Scotland having some of the strongest animal welfare legislation in the UK, the courts too often issue modest penalties for wildlife crimes. Mr. Boyle’s actions demonstrated wanton cruelty and a disregard for the law but sentences like this provide little deterrent to those who harm wildlife. If we are serious about protecting Scotland’s wildlife, meaningful penalties that reflect the severity of these crimes are required to serve as a deterrent.

This case should remind those who harm wildlife that our cameras are everywhere and prompt a serious reconsideration of how our justice system responds to animal cruelty,” he added.

Sources: The Courier, STV News