Badger is shot close to site of 2015 poisoning

INVESTIGATIONS are underway after a badger was found shot dead feet from her sett.
The stricken creature was found in Cotherstone last month close to where badgers were found poisoned in 2015.
A post mortem examination by Natural England found the badger had been killed by a .22 rifle bullet.
Villager Yvonne Butterfield said she and her husband, Gavin, had stumbled upon the dead badger while walking their dog.
She added: “We were devastated to see this, it’s a huge worry. It’s a protected species as many people know – they are committing an offence and they know it.”
“It’s awful – absolutely dreadful and the other worrying thing is the cull going on in the South West.
“You wonder about the influence of that.”
Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
In England and Wales, it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a badger – or attempt to – unless under a licence. A badger was found dead in September 2015 near the village beck with empty poison packets nearby.
The RSPCA have opened an investigation into this latest badger death.
Ms Butterfield said she’d been thrilled to see the badger population recover in Cotherstone since but admitted this latest killing had come as a blow.
She added: “They are seen as a rogue species but they’re not – they’re a valuable part of our heritage and history and that’s why we live in the countryside.”
RSPCA inspector Ruth Thomas-Coxon said the charity feared foul play.
She added: “Natural England agreed to a site survey and arranged a post mortem of the badger which found she had been shot and killed using a .22 bullet. We’re concerned that someone could be using a rifle to illegally shoot at badgers.
“Shooting a badger without a licence is an offence and anyone responsible could be prosecuted.”
Ms Butterfield added: “It was shot on the same side of the stream. Whoever shot the badger knew there were badgers around there.
“The RSPCA inspector said she did not die straight away, she would have suffered. She was shot through the rear end trying to get back to her home. It’s not right.”
Culls of badgers in Dorset, Somerset and the south west have been going on for a number of years and the practice is seen as part of the government’s 25-year-strategy to eradicate Bovine TB. However, opponents say there is no evidence it is effective.
Anyone who thinks they may be able to help the RSPCA investigation into this badger death is urged to call the appeal line on 0300 1238018.