Two Carlisle brothers who stand jointly accused of wilfully killing a badger on land near the city have appeared in court.
Dale Rickerby, aged 27, and 32-year-old Michael James Rickerby face the allegation as part of a prosecution by welfare charity the RSPCA.
During a 15-minute hearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today, Dale Rickerby and Michael Rickerby jointly faced one charge. This alleges that together they wilfully killed a badger in the vicinity of Holme Lane, Aglionby.
Dale Rickerby faces two other charges.
One alleges that he caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by “engaging” a bull lurcher-type dog known as Bronson with a badger; and that he “knew or ought reasonably to have known that the act would have that effect or be likely to do so”.
Another charge alleges that he did not take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of Bronson were met and further “did not protect the animal from pain, suffering, injury or disease by engaging the dog in encounters with other animals”.
As they appeared in the dock together, the brothers, both of Warnell Drive, Carlisle, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. These relate to alleged incidents on October 15 last year,
Steven Marsh, prosecuting for the RSPCA, gave an outline of the alleged offending to magistrates, who were told the brothers’ defence included the submission that the badger was killed to prevent further injury to the dog.
The dog is said to have sustained an injury to its lower jaw.
As a result of the brothers’ not guilty pleas, a trial with an estimated time limit of up to a day will take place at the magistrates’ court on November 14. In the meantime, both Dale Rickerby and Michael Rickerby — who were represented by lawyer Clive Rees — were granted bail.
