Sick gangs risking a three-year jail sentence and a maximum £5,000 fine send terriers to attack badgers in their underground setts, and dig through the tunnel roof to expose the fight.

 

The battle usually ends with the badger being bludgeoned to death with a spade.

 

Thugs

 

Cruel thugs place bets on how long it will take the animal to die.

 

Five setts were targeted in just six weeks in the Clydeside area of Glasgow.

 

Cops say intelligence has shown the gangs are involved in other serious crime - including firearms possession, house break-ins and poaching.

 

Strathclyde Police's Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Craig Borthwick, said: "This is a major urban problem.

 

"The gangs involved are nothing but violent thugs and they bring with them a whole other criminal element.

 

"Intelligence tells us that they are involved in other crime including possession of illegal firearms, car thefts and illegal drug use as well as poaching and hare-coursing.

 

"Badgers suffer a long and agonising death but the dogs also suffer horrific injuries and owners are reluctant to take them to vets.

 

"Often they will dislocate the jaw of the badger so that it can't latch on when it bites.

 

"Baiters usually leave the badgers by the roadside to make it look like roadkill.

 

Ian Hutchison, species protection officer at conservation charity Scottish Badgers, said: "What is concerning is the increase in the reporting of this type of crime, not just in urban areas but across Scotland.

 

"Both the badgers and dogs suffer horrific injuries."

 

PC Borthwick said police rely on public information to help them catch baiters.

 

He said: "These are bad people who are having an impact in communities in more ways than badger-baiting.

 

"Anyone who sees groups with dogs and shovels going into woodland areas should contact the police.

 

"However these are violent individuals and should not approached. We have had instances of people being attacked who have tried to get in their way."

 

Anyone with information should call the SSPCA's special investigation unit on 0870 240 4832 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.