Badger expert called in to Shropshire animal fighting trial
A badger expert from Northern Ireland will give evidence in the trial of three men accused of causing or attempting to cause animal fights in Shropshire.
Samuel Boylett, 33, his father Charles Boylett, 69, both of Burtondale, in Brookside, Telford, and Mark Paddock, 45, of no fixed abode, are standing trial at Telford Magistrates Court accused of a string of charges involving dog fighting.
The court heard how the dogs kept at the home of Samuel Boylett and his father Charles were encouraged to fight with wild animals.
When the dogs were found on March 28, 2014 a number of them had injuries and were seized by police.
Earlier in the trial the court heard from Mr Paul Taylor, prosecuting, how some of the injuries were consistent with mammal fights, which included badgers.
The expert from Northern Ireland could appear at the court by the end of next week to give evidence regarding badger fighting.
Samuel Boylett denies 14 different charges. They include charges of causing or attempting to cause an animal fight to take place on June 3, 2013, and March 2, 9 and 23, 2014.
Samuel Boylett denies six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Paddock denies three counts of causing or attempting to cause an animal fight and another of causing unnecessary suffering.
Charles Boylett and Paddock deny three charges of being present at animal fights in 2014, while Samuel Boylett denies four charges of being present at animal fights in 2013 and 2014.
The trial continues.
