Two 'were caught badger-baiting'

Badgers have been a protected species since 1835

Two men were caught badger-baiting in a Pembrokeshire woodland, a district judge has heard.

Peter McGuigan, 37, and Simon Evans, 40, both from Llandysul, on the border of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, had shovels, dogs and netting.

It was a "classic" badger-digging set-up, the hearing at Llanelli magistrates' court was told, and one dog had a badger in its mouth.

Police stopped them at a sett near Boncath. The pair deny five charges.

John Tarrant, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said that at about 0845 BST on 14 October, 2006 police were called to the woodland.

"When the officers attended they could hear dogs, also a loud squealing noise which we say was the squeal of a badger," said Mr Tarrant.

There was more than adequate signs this was a badger sett Prosecutor John Tarrant

The men were found to have shovels, T-bars, two lurcher dogs and two terriers that had locater collars.

"It was a classic badger-digging set up," said Mr Tarrant. The shovels were stained with blood, the court was told.

A metre-deep hole had been dug, and Mr Tarrant said there were "more than adequate signs this was a badger sett."

He said the terriers were there to "flush out the badgers" and the lurchers to "apprehend" them.

"One of the loose dogs had a badger in its mouth at the time of the police arrival," said Mr Tarrant.

"We say it was carrying out the exact purpose for which it had been trained."

The trial continues.