PSNI probes potential badger-baiting in Co. Derry
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed it is investigating a report of potential badger-baiting in rural Co. Derry.
Police received a report of possible badger-baiting on Sunday, September 6 at roughly 1:50p.m in the Feeney Road area of Dungiven, Co. Derry.
PSNI confirmed to Agriland that enquiries into this incident are ongoing.
Badger-baiting is a blood sport that is illegal in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 and the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
Badgers and their setts are protected in the Republic of Ireland under the Wildlife Act 1976 (and its amendments) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Convictions
The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) has called for updates to legislation to tackle badger baiting.
According to the USPCA's 2023 badger baiting report, there are more than 150 active badger baiters operating in Northern Ireland.
Additionally, the society estimates that over 2,000 badgers are "illegally and cruelly killed" each year.
Despite this, according to the report, just three people have been convicted of offences related to killing or injuring wild animals in Northern Ireland between 2011 and its publication in March 2023.
In June 2025, a 56-year-old man was convicted of attempting to "damage or destroy the shelter of a wild animal" and fined £500 following a report made to police on December 22, 2019.
The report was made after it was noticed that a number of individuals were in a field and appaeared to be badger-baiting.
A police spokesperson at the time said that it had been "evident that these individuals were attempting to disrupt an active badger set by using a terrier-type dog".
Protected species
PSNI chief inspector Vince Redmond said: "Badgers are a protected species in Northern Ireland, so anyone who is involved in badger-baiting is carrying out an illegal and barbaric activity which causes unnecessary suffering and cruelty to both the badgers and the dogs used to hunt and attack them.
"Badger-baiting occurs when offenders dig down to remove a badger from its sett, before trapping it and throwing the animal to larger dogs to be tortured and killed.
"This is a barbaric and cruel practice and one we must see an end to," he added.
Inspector Redmond called on anyone with information about badger-baiting to report it to PSNI.
Badger-baiting can be reported directly to PSNI at your local station, online via the PSNI's website or by calling 101.
"Badger-baiting is a criminal offence and any information provided regarding such cruelty is extremely helpful in assisting investigations," the inspector said.
