WIGAN WILDLIFE CRIMINAL DANIEL RATCHFORD BUSTED FOR POACHING IN WEST LANCASHIRE AND MERSEYDALE

Daniel Ratchford, a notorious wildlife offender from Wigan, has been subjected to a series of strict legal restrictions following his conviction for multiple poaching offences. Born on December 9, 1984, Ratchford resides at 4 Stratford Street, Standish, Wigan, WN6 7AH. Despite a lifetime ban imposed in 2014, he was found guilty of engaging in illegal hunting activities involving wild animals, specifically using dogs to hunt and kill wildlife.

In 2021, Ratchford was convicted of four separate poaching offences, which led to the court issuing a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against him. This order effectively bans him from entering large swathes of West Lancashire and Sefton districts, including all rural areas stretching between Ormskirk and the Sefton coast, as well as regions between Ormskirk and Crosby, Maghull, Kirkby, and the areas surrounding Wigan and the Douglas Valley in Lancashire. The restrictions are comprehensive, prohibiting him from trespassing on private land, participating in any activity that could cause harassment, alarm, or distress to landowners or residents, and from being part of any group controlling dogs in England and Wales.

Furthermore, Ratchford is explicitly barred from entering designated rural zones and is forbidden from acting in any manner that could disturb the peace or cause harm to wildlife or property. His legal penalties also include a 32-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for two years, a 16-week curfew from 7 pm to 6 am, a 50-day Rehabilitation Order, and a lifetime ban on keeping dogs. All of his dogs were seized by police and subsequently rehomed, as part of the enforcement of his disqualification.

The investigation into Ratchford’s activities was initiated after authorities received credible intelligence suggesting he was involved in poaching on private farmland. It was reported that he allowed his dogs, a crossbreed of lurcher, to hunt and kill wild rabbits and hares, causing significant suffering and ecological disturbance. This led to a coordinated operation by Lancashire’s South Rural Task Force, Merseyside Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit, and the RSPCA Special Operations Unit. In the early hours of Thursday, March 11, 2021, law enforcement officials executed a warrant at Ratchford’s residence in Wigan.

During the raid, officers discovered five dogs inside the property, which was a clear violation of his lifetime disqualification, originally handed down in 2014 after he was convicted alongside accomplices John Daly, Reece Welsh, and Ryan Kennedy for causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. Ratchford had previously received a twelve-week prison sentence for that offence. The presence of the dogs and evidence of poaching activities prompted further legal action against him.

PC Paddy Stewart, a Wildlife & Heritage Crime Officer with Lancashire’s South Rural Task Force, commented on the case: “Ratchford has demonstrated a blatant disregard for animals’ rights to live freely in the wild. Instead, he allowed his dogs to cruelly maim and kill rabbits and hares. It’s important to understand that animals like hares do not die instantly after a dog bite; they often suffer multiple injuries, struggle to escape, and endure immense pain and distress. Many of these animals die suffering, screaming in agony, which is a tragic consequence of such illegal activities.”

He emphasized the seriousness of wildlife crime, noting its far-reaching impacts on rural communities and ecosystems. “This case underscores our commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and bringing offenders like Ratchford to justice. We hope this serves as a warning to others involved in similar illegal activities,” PC Stewart added.

He urged residents of West Lancashire and Merseyside to assist law enforcement by reporting any breaches of Ratchford’s court orders. “Community cooperation is vital in ensuring these restrictions are upheld and wildlife is protected. If you see Ratchford or suspect he is violating his order, please contact us on 101,” he concluded.