Public badger rescues 'endangering animals'

People who take in an injured badger could be endangering its life, according to police.

Lincolnshire Police issued the warning after wildlife officers seized a badger cub from a family kitchen, where it was "living in squalid conditions".

Det Con Aaron Flint said the male cub had been fed on tinned food and had lost a lot of fur.

He urged people to do their research before taking in an injured animal to avoid causing more suffering.

Flint said the cub was seized by officers in May and "was in really awful condition".

"When I went and took him, he got himself into the sleeve of a dirty-looking fleece. I have no doubt had I not seized this badger it would have died."

The animal is now being cared for by the Lincolnshire Badger Group, which is affiliated with the Badger Trust.

Ally Foyster, a member of the group, said "Mr Baldie", as the cub has been named, was recuperating well.

"Sometimes people take them overnight because they think they're cute, they think they're cuddly, they sit and have them on their knees, but they don't give them a drink, they don't give them anything to eat," she said.

"That 24 hours that person has that badger can be vital."

Volunteers at the centre are keeping human contact with the cub to a minimum as it will be returned to the countryside as soon as possible.

Lincolnshire Police said it had warned the individual responsible for taking the cub and said any further incidents would lead to prosecution.

"There are lots of animal rescues out there [where people] think they're doing the right thing," Flint added.

"They think they've got the right experience to handle and deal with these animals, and they haven't.

"So I would say to the public, do your research and make sure you take it to a fully trained and qualified person."

Badgers are protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which states that it is illegal to take, injure or kill an animal, or damage or destroy a badger sett.

The RSPCA advises people who spot an injured badger not to approach or attempt to handle the animal, "as they can inflict severe bites".

According to the charity's website, people should observe from a safe distance and call its 24-hour helpline.

The Badger Trust has an interactive map, allowing people to check for affiliated badger groups.