On the 18th November Damien Sweeney, 34, of Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, Flint appeared at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment and was disqualified from keeping dogs for eight years. A deprivation notice was also served in relation to two dogs.

Sweeney had been found guilty at a trial in October on 12 charges – eight under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and four under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) started an investigation in March 2019 after North Wales Police shared evidence of badger baiting from a mobile phone which had been seized from Sweeney. A search of Sweeney’s address was carried out and two dogs were found with injuries consistent with being used for badger baiting.

Investigating officer Jason Bowles of the RSPCA said: “Sadly badger baiting remains a serious problem in our countryside. The RSPCA will not relent in bringing those involved in this cruel activity to justice, as demonstrated with this investigation, for which we’d like to thank North Wales Police for their support.”

Many people think that badger baiting is a thing of the past. Sadly it is still a common event throughout the UK with the criminals involved often traveling many miles to sate their perverted lusts.

Full details of this case on the local press website here