Dying badger found with gunshot wound to the head

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dying badger was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

A member of the public found the badger with a serious head injury near Upper Bittell Reservoir in Barnt Green, at around 10:00 GMT on Thursday.

Badgers are protected by law but the RSPCA says that setts continue to be targeted by wildlife criminals.

RSPCA Inspector Graeme Brookes, who is investigating the case, has asked that anyone with further information contact him as soon as possible.

Mr Brookes said: "This poor badger was still alive when I found him but was in an awful state with a serious injury to his head.

"He was collapsed and unresponsive with very shallow breathing. There were maggots in the wound with dried blood around it.

"Sadly he would not have survived his injuries so had to be put to sleep to ease his suffering."

The RSPCA said statistics showed a 23% year-on-year increase in the total number of animals targeted by weapons across England and Wales, up from 300 in 2022 to 370 in 2023.

Mr Brookes added: "I was very concerned about how this badger came to be so badly injured. Thanks to the team at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre and Hospital his body was X-rayed, which revealed that this badger had been deliberately shot.

"We share our space with wildlife and they deserve our respect and kindness. Animals feel pain and it's awful to think that anyone could take pleasure from targeting a living creature."

Badgers are legally protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in addition to other wildlife legislation, meaning it is an offence to kill, injure or take a badger.

While badgers are still culled in certain areas, the RSPCA says only those with a special licence from Natural England are permitted to cull them.

The West Midlands and Worcestershire branch of the Badger Trust told the BBC that the area where the badger was found is not in a cull zone.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0300 123 8018, quoting reference number 01468053.

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