RICHARD TODD AND WAYNE LAWSON FROM CARLISLE AND WIGTON CAUGHT IN BADGER BAITING HORROR

Two men from Cumbria, Richard Todd of Mill Road, Wigton, and Wayne Lawson of Sheehan Gardens, Carlisle, have been convicted of involvement in a brutal illegal activity targeting badgers. The incident, which took place in the areas surrounding Carlisle and Wigton, involved the men goading their dogs into attacking a badger, a practice known as badger baiting, which is both cruel and illegal.

Lawson and Todd admitted to attempting to kill the badger during their court proceedings. Additionally, Lawson pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two of his dogs by neglecting to provide veterinary care for facial injuries sustained during the attack. The dogs, a Patterdale terrier named Scooby and a Bull Lurcher called Stan, were found at Lawson’s property in Carlisle along with four other dogs. All five animals had severe facial injuries, including disfigurements, which indicated they had been involved in violent fights. The dogs were subsequently taken into the care of the RSPCA, where they received treatment and were eventually rehomed.

Despite the injuries, Lawson failed to seek veterinary assistance for his dogs, prolonging their suffering. The authorities had initially planned to prosecute both men on charges related to interfering with badger setts and organizing animal fights. However, these charges were dropped, and instead, both men admitted to the single charge of attempting to kill the badger.

Following their convictions, RSPCA officer Jason Bowles commented on the case, emphasizing the cruelty involved. He explained that law enforcement received intelligence linking Lawson to badger digging activities. During investigations, officers found two dogs at Lawson’s property with extensive scars and injuries consistent with fights with badgers. A mobile phone was seized, containing videos showing Lawson and another individual digging into badger tunnels and placing the dogs underground to locate and attack the wild animals.

Bowles highlighted the barbarity of such blood sports, noting that badgers are often hunted for sport, and the dogs used in these activities frequently suffer horrific injuries and disfigurements. He condemned the lack of veterinary care and pain relief provided to the animals involved.

In terms of sentencing, both Lawson and Todd received a 140-day prison sentence, suspended for one year. Lawson was also ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid community work, disqualified from keeping dogs for four years, and faced total costs and charges amounting to £1,415. Todd was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid community work, with total costs and charges of £1,115, and was banned from keeping animals for two years. This case underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat illegal animal cruelty and the barbaric practice of badger baiting in the region.