Sick thug shot films of dogs tearing badgers apart and stabbed one to death

A cruel man who set dogson badgers to kill them for pure entertainment has been jailed.

Lloyd Davies unleashed lurchers, including his own called Shirley, on the wild animals and even filmed the vile attacks. In one of the sick clips, a wounded badger was stabbed with a knife after being savaged by dogs.

The 23-year-old, of Bryn Heol, Bedwas, near Caerphilly, South Wales, also loaned his female lurcher Shirley to others so they could perform similar attacks. As a result of the illegal fights, Shirley suffered multiple severe injuries.

Davies has now been banned from keeping all animals for life and was jailed for 16 weeks at Newport Magistrates' Court. He admitted killing, injuring or taking a badger, and aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring another person to kill, injure or take a badger, under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. He also pleaded guilty to two Animal Welfare Act 2006 charges of failing to meet Shirley's needs to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease, by using her to hunt badgers.

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District Judge Sophie Toms told the court: "This was deliberate and sadistic cruelty filmed and shared for entertainment. One of the most serious cases of cruelty I've had to deal with in all my time."

Davies was ordered to pay £400 costs and £154 victim surcharges. It was heard that the cruelty was only exposed when a mobile phone seized from the defendant last year was examined by the RSPCA's special operations unit.

They found 13 videos in all, showing lurchers attacking badgers covered with blood, while men encourage the dogs to attack. In mitigation, it was said that Davies had health issues, as reported on NeedToKnow.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA's Special Operations Unit, who investigated, said: "The judge's comments made it absolutely clear what she thought about the degree of cruelty inflicted on badgers in this case. She also spelled out the kind of harm suffered by the defendant's dog Shirley before we were able to take her to safety.

"But it also shows how people who persecute wildlife for pleasure will not be tolerated. We will investigate them and bring them to justice."

Pc Rhys Jones, of Gwent Police, said: "I'm glad that the offender has been brought to justice for his cruel behaviour against these animals. This case showcases the importance of our link with the RSPCA, to ensure that offenders like Davies do not get away with these cruel acts against animals."

David Griffiths, of Natural Resources Wales, said: "This was a deeply disturbing case of cruelty against a protected species. Badgers and their setts are safeguarded by law, and any harm caused to them without a valid licence is a criminal offence.

"We work closely with enforcement partners including the RSPCA and the police to uphold wildlife protection laws in Wales. This prosecution sends a strong message that such appalling acts will not be tolerated."