Man given lifelong dog ban for badger offences

A man has been banned for life from keeping dogs after posting videos on social media of his animals hunting wildlife.

Billy Harry Scarah, 28, of Feldane, Hull, admitted a charge of interfering with a badger sett and two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Warrants were executed by Humberside Police in March 2023 at two addresses in Hull, and Buddy – a tan-coloured bull lurcher – was seized and placed in RSPCA care.

The charity said Buddy had suffered severe injuries consistent with fighting a badger.

The RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving evidence that Scarah had been posting content in closed Facebook groups and videos on TikTok.

RSPCA officer Jason Bowles, who was there when Buddy was seized, said a large part of his nose was missing, there was extensive scarring from wounds on his head and legs, and the tip of his tail was bleeding.

A vet who assessed Buddy said it was likely he had been involved in badger baiting, which is illegal.

At Hull Magistrates' Court on 10 April, Scarah was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, for the Animal Welfare Act offences, and a five-month term, suspended for two years, for the Badger Act offence.

He was also told to pay nearly £800 in costs and ordered to complete 60 hours' unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

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