This three month old badger cub had ventured to the surface from it's sett to explore the outside world, probably for the first time, and through no fault of it's own, it was attacked and bitten by one of two dogs outside it's sett during Thursday evening 8th May 08.
This incident was brought to the farmer’s attention whose land the badger sett is on. The farmer was not happy that these dogs were allowed to run around his field and take this little cub, and subject it to enormous stress!!
The cub sustained a puncture wound to its left flank followed by an open wound to its front right leg. Fortunately for the cub, the dog owners were able to get the cub to the vets. I am pleased to say that the veterinary care administered by J.A.C Kew & Partners of Harlow Essex has given this little one a chance of survival. Part of the treatment, required an area of the cubs fir to be clipped, this led to the badger being named Patch. It is customary amongst badger groups to name badgers that are taken into care by its members.
Unfortunately this little cub could not be returned to its mother & brothers and sisters, due to the high risk of being attacked and killed by the parents who will not accept it back. The cub will now be cared for, along with other cubs that have been orphaned and will stay at Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre run by Pauline Kidner until they are old enough to be released Check out the web site: www.secretworld.org
Knowing the badger cub’s sett location, I needed to know that no other badger cubs had been attacked and laid up injured near by. Permission to inspect the sett was given by the farmer. I and another badger field officer Bob Reed from the Herts.& Middlesex Badger Group checked out the sett. Fortunately no other cubs were found on the surface.
With what has happened to this little cub, I wanted to bring this incident to the attention of, other dog owners to make them aware that young badgers & fox cubs are about now, around there setts & fox earths, not forgetting ground nesting birds, all are very vulnerable to being attacked by dogs that are not under control. Please be aware, should your dog come upon an adult sow badger with her cubs, she will protect her cubs resulting in a nasty if not fatal injury to your pet. Owners of small dogs need to be particularly aware that their dog may see and chase a rabbit into a badger sett. Be warned, if you allow your dog to go down a sett and the dog becomes trapped, you will not be able to dig it out legally without a licence from Natural England, and they will not issue a license until 48 hrs has passed, allowing the dog a chance to free itself. It is an offence under the Badger Protection Act 1992 to interfere with a badger sett.
Patch was introduced to another badger cub of the same age and transported by Pauline Kidner to Secret World on Sunday evening 18th May 2008
Enjoy the wildlife out there, don’t harm them.
Should your readers need to know more about badgers, visit our website and other badger Links: www.ubg-uk.org
Thank you for reading this.
Derek Barry (Field Officer)
Uttlesford Badger Group
Watch this space for the latest update on Patch and his new family.
This incident was brought to the farmer’s attention whose land the badger sett is on. The farmer was not happy that these dogs were allowed to run around his field and take this little cub, and subject it to enormous stress!!
The cub sustained a puncture wound to its left flank followed by an open wound to its front right leg. Fortunately for the cub, the dog owners were able to get the cub to the vets. I am pleased to say that the veterinary care administered by J.A.C Kew & Partners of Harlow Essex has given this little one a chance of survival. Part of the treatment, required an area of the cubs fir to be clipped, this led to the badger being named Patch. It is customary amongst badger groups to name badgers that are taken into care by its members.
Unfortunately this little cub could not be returned to its mother & brothers and sisters, due to the high risk of being attacked and killed by the parents who will not accept it back. The cub will now be cared for, along with other cubs that have been orphaned and will stay at Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre run by Pauline Kidner until they are old enough to be released Check out the web site: www.secretworld.org
Knowing the badger cub’s sett location, I needed to know that no other badger cubs had been attacked and laid up injured near by. Permission to inspect the sett was given by the farmer. I and another badger field officer Bob Reed from the Herts.& Middlesex Badger Group checked out the sett. Fortunately no other cubs were found on the surface.
With what has happened to this little cub, I wanted to bring this incident to the attention of, other dog owners to make them aware that young badgers & fox cubs are about now, around there setts & fox earths, not forgetting ground nesting birds, all are very vulnerable to being attacked by dogs that are not under control. Please be aware, should your dog come upon an adult sow badger with her cubs, she will protect her cubs resulting in a nasty if not fatal injury to your pet. Owners of small dogs need to be particularly aware that their dog may see and chase a rabbit into a badger sett. Be warned, if you allow your dog to go down a sett and the dog becomes trapped, you will not be able to dig it out legally without a licence from Natural England, and they will not issue a license until 48 hrs has passed, allowing the dog a chance to free itself. It is an offence under the Badger Protection Act 1992 to interfere with a badger sett.
Patch was introduced to another badger cub of the same age and transported by Pauline Kidner to Secret World on Sunday evening 18th May 2008
Enjoy the wildlife out there, don’t harm them.
Should your readers need to know more about badgers, visit our website and other badger Links: www.ubg-uk.org
Thank you for reading this.
Derek Barry (Field Officer)
Uttlesford Badger Group
Watch this space for the latest update on Patch and his new family.
