DALE AND MIKE RICKERBY'S HORRIFIC BADGER KILLING IN CARLISLE
In October 2021, a disturbing incident involving the Rickerby brothers, Dale and Mike Rickerby, unfolded in the rural area of Holme Lane near the village of Aglionby in Cumbria, a part of Carlisle.The brothers were involved in a brutal act of wildlife cruelty that would later lead to their conviction in a court of law.
According to court proceedings, the brothers engaged in illegal badger baiting, a practice condemned by animal welfare organizations and illegal under UK law.
The incident was primarily carried out by Dale Rickerby, with his older brother Mike Rickerby providing assistance.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the brothers had dug a deep hole in the ground, which served as a badger sett, and had deliberately given their dog access to this underground burrow.
Despite their claims of innocence, the court was presented with compelling evidence that contradicted their assertions.
Dale Rickerby argued that they were in the area legally, hunting rabbits, when they unexpectedly encountered a badger.
He claimed that the badger attacked their dog, a bull lurcher named Bronson, and that he used a shovel to defend the dog, intending only to protect it from harm.
However, the court did not accept this explanation.
During the trial, it was established that Dale Rickerby had bludgeoned the badger over the head with a spade after it emerged from the man-made hole exposing its sett.
The injured animal was then thrown to the dogs, including Bronson, who was also severely harmed in the process.
The court found that Dale Rickerby had caused unnecessary suffering to Bronson by failing to take reasonable steps to safeguard his welfare during the incident.
Both brothers denied any wrongdoing, but the evidence and testimonies led to their conviction for wilfully killing a badger.
Dale Rickerby was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Bronson and neglecting his duty to protect the dog from pain and injury.
The court highlighted that Dale did not accept the court’s guilty verdict, as shown in a background Probation Service report.
District Judge Temperley presided over the sentencing, addressing Dale Rickerby directly.
He emphasized that Dale was primarily responsible for the death of the badger and the injuries inflicted on Bronson.
The judge described how Dale had bludgeoned the badger with a spade after it emerged from the sett, then callously tossed the animal to the dogs.
The court sentenced Dale Rickerby to 20 weeks in jail, ordered the transfer of ownership of Bronson to the RSPCA, and banned him from owning or caring for any animal for five years, a ban that will expire in December 2027.
Additionally, Dale was ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs.
Regarding Mike Rickerby, the court found that he had encouraged and aided his brother’s actions, including driving another group member away from the scene with some of the dogs.
Mike Rickerby received a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for one year, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
He was also required to pay £1,000 in prosecution costs and was banned from owning or caring for any dog for five years, with the ban expiring in December 2027.
Supporters from the Rickerby family were present in court during the proceedings.
Following the trial, RSPCA inspector Ian Muttitt from the charity’s northern Special Operations Unit described the suffering endured by both the badger and the dog.
He detailed that Bronson’s injuries were severe, with the skin from the bottom of his jaw ripped off, but thanks to prompt veterinary treatment, the dog made a full recovery.
Muttitt expressed concern that many animals involved in such incidents do not receive veterinary care.
In addition to the wildlife cruelty charges, Dale Rickerby faced further legal issues in February 2022.
He was given an eight-week curfew and an 18-month driving ban after police stopped his VW Golf, which was found to contain cannabis and cocaine in his system.
Rickerby, who was working as a mobile cleaner at the time, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of illegal substances.
Court records also revealed that he had previous convictions for possessing amphetamine and cannabis.
The curfew was set to be served at a property in Tindale Drive, Harraby, rather than his usual address on Warnell Drive.
These events highlight the ongoing concerns regarding illegal wildlife activities and animal cruelty in Carlisle, with the Rickerby brothers now facing significant legal consequences for their actions.
