Two brothers have been convicted of killing a badger – with one handed a jail term and the other a suspended prison sentence.
Dale Rickerby, 28, and Michael Rickerby, 32, both of Warnell Drive, Carlisle, were found guilty at North Cumbria Magistrates Court last month.
Both were charged with the offence of killing or taking a badger and Dale Rickerby was also found guilty of two other offences under the Animal Welfare Act – causing unnecessary suffering to his bull lurcher Bronson, and not protecting Bronson from pain.
Last Thursday, they were sentenced.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after police were called when a gang of men were spotted attacking a badger in the area of Aglionby, near Carlisle, on October 15 2021. Officers found a dead badger at the scene.
Dale Rickerby admitted killing the badger, but said it attacked Bronson while he was out rabbiting and so he hit it with a shovel and killed it. His brother said he was not involved but witnesses claimed differently.
Finding both men guilty, the judge said it was inconceivable that the badger attack had been accidental and said the brothers’ evidence was unreliable.
Veterinary evidence found a significant injury to Bronson’s muzzle and wounds to his legs, as well as old healed injuries.
In a written statement from a veterinary surgeon, they said Bronson was caused to suffer as a consequence of the skin injuries evident on October 15 2021.
They said: “Suffering will have been experienced by this animal via a mechanism of pain for the intervening period between sustaining the injuries and receiving appropriate pain relief.”
The Animal Plant and Health Agency conducted a post mortem on the badger finding the skull had been shattered and there were fractures in the spine, which would have caused the animal to fall unconscious and die quickly.
Dale Rickerby was handed a 20-week imprisonment for each offence with the sentence to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for five years and ordered to pay £500 costs.
Michael Rickerby was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for a year with 200 hours unpaid work. He was disqualified from owning a dog for five years and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.
RSPCA special operations unit chief inspector Ian Muttitt, said: “We would very much like to thank Cumbria police and the civilian witnesses who supported the prosecution.”
Neighbourhood police officer, PC Nick Leigh said: “Cumbria police take wildlife crime extremely seriously, as is evidenced in this case.
“We have strong working relationships with our partner agencies, which supports multi agency investigations such as this one, where Cumbria police and the RSPCA work closely together to achieve a conviction.
“I would like to thank the witnesses in this case who were instrumental in the detection and prosecution of this crime.
“I hope this gives others the confidence to report any suspicious or illegal activity in the knowledge that your report will be taken seriously and your concerns listened to. Any report of wildlife crime in Cumbria will be investigated thoroughly by specially trained officers.
“We would also like to say thank you to the RSPCA for their assistance on this investigation, and ultimately prosecution of this incident resulting in the convictions.”
At sentencing, the judge imposed an order transferring ownership of Bronson to the RSPCA. A terrier owned by Michael Rickerby was also transferred into the care of the RSPCA.
