RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information following two concerning incidents involving badgers.

There has been a badger sett disturbance and alleged poisoning in the Spittal area, and a badger has been found dead in a snare in Pontgarreg, Ceredigion.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said the incidents - which are not related - are “troubling and concerning”.

Although the snares involved in these incidents are legal to use for some species, it is an offence to catch badgers using snares and users of legal snares must take reasonable precautions to prevent protected animals such as badgers from being caught or injured by them.

Inspector Hogben said: “These incidents are troubling and concerning and we would like to remind people that it is an offence, under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, to wilfully injure, kill or take a badger (except under licence). Badgers are also listed under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which would make the use of a snare to catch badgers an offence. It is also an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct access to a badger sett except under licence.

"Snares can cause a huge amount of pain and distress to animals - both pets and wildlife - and this incident is another example of why their use is both inhumane and indiscriminate.”

The badger sett disturbance and alleged poisoning near Spittal was reported to the RSPCA on March 31.

Inspector Hogben said: “This is a badger sett that has had several of its entrances filled up with ‘sugar beet’ that had not been soaked, which if ingested could cause gastrointestinal problems in some animals.

“The sett entrances were cleared of the beet and the sett does still look active but the beet had been down for at least three days. The Dyfed Powys Police rural crime team have been informed and are also investigating.”

Anyone with relevant information about these incidents is urged to contact the RSPCA's inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. All calls are treated in confidence.