Dog badly injured in badger baiting incident

BY JACKIE KEOGH

A ONE-year-old dog – a Patterdale and Staffi cross, the kind that is specifically bred for strength and stamina – was cruelly used for badger baiting in West Cork, a local animal rights group has claimed.

Brayden sustained horrendous injuries before coming under the care and protection of the West Cork Animal Welfare Group (WCAWG).

Jennifer Headlam of WCAWG, said: ‘Over the years we have had several of these Patterdales, and they always have similar injuries – usually sustained around the face and chin area – because, basically, their faces have been bitten by badgers.

‘It is my understanding that it is not that the badgers are being aggressive, they are purely acting in self-defence against dogs that have been trained to invade their set. The dogs then drag the badgers out, and the dogs shred the badgers. How anyone could call this cruel activity a sport is beyond me.’

Clonakilty-based Jennifer confirmed that the injuries sustained by Brayden were ‘some of the worst we have ever seen’ although she does remember one Jack Russell that came in ‘with the side of his face bitten off’.

‘Brayden’s injuries are horrific: his eye was totally toxic. The vet said it was the worst untreated eye injury she has ever seen. The smell was horrendous and there was blood and pus oozing out of it.

Jennifer said: ‘Brayden was found in a yard two weeks ago and the people who found him kindly brought him to the animal shelter in their car. That was very kind and compassionate of them, given the state he was in.’ The animal welfare group and a kind fosterer have cared for him ever since and, mercifully, due to his young age he has made a remarkable recovery. Jennifer said: ‘He’s still very thin, but on the mend.’

Clonakilty-based Supt Ger O’Mahony told The Southern Star: ‘We view this seriously and would ask anyone that has any information in relation to this activity, or cruelty to animals, to come forward and it will be acted on. Any information supplied to the gardai, at 1800 250025, will be treated in the strictest confidence.’ WCAWG are at 086 8500131.