I live on the edge of a wood and walk my dog through the woods in the evening. Over the last few weeks I have been seeing badgers almost every night. More often than not they trundle off way before I get close but in the last week or two they have become much more approachable. This reached a peak last night when one actually popped out between me and my dog which was on the end of a lead Are there any knowledgable freelander owners out there who can offer advice on whether I'm putting my dog at risk of attack?? He is always on a lead around the area I see them but the last encounter made me wonder if I need to take further precautions. I've just invested in a LED Lenser torch which is absolutely amazing-small (15cm long, and 4cm wide ), light and nearly as bright as a car headlight. A bit pricey (£70ish) but well worth the money for those like me who wander around in the dark with a dog (four legged kind). I'm hoping that will give them fair warning I'm approaching!

Badgers can be aggressive and are tough enough to tear up a pitbull so I would be careful indeed.

On the subject of torches, my torch combines bright light and self defence if needed. It is a rather weighty 6 D-Cell Maglite with xenon bulb. If needed I could disorientate a would be mugger with the light and then bash his head in

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The Badgers will be a bit braver knowing the proposed cull has been postponed.

As for the LED Lensor, top notch torch, I have a few of various sizes, the way to go.

Badgers are dangerous!!
When I was at Uni, one of our cattle lectures had one finger missing. It was always a bit of a mystery as to what had happened to him. He told us one day what had happened. He'd been on call late one night and recieved a call from the police to attend an injured badger. He duly attended and it appeared that the badger was dead. He went to move it and it woke with a start and bit off his finger!
Seems that when badgers are injured they can induce a comatose state, allows their body to recover then they shuffle off and continue about their business.
Badgers are active in the spring and autumn- hence why you are seeing them.
I would do everything possible to let them know you are there, to avoid them attacking- even attaching a little bell to your dog's collar. Having repaired two innocent dogs after altercations with badgers... One of which required extensive skin grafting on his leg after a witnessed badger bite! He nearly ended up as a tripod and his owner had a 2k bill and spent so much time with us- would make the staff cups of tea in our kitchen to keep us going!

And they say the cull isn't called for Overprotected and now over populated  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Last edited by npinks on 4th Nov 2012 1:14 pm. Edited 1 time in total

They are very aggressive when they feel threatened. Normally, however, they will shuffle off out of the way and carry on foraging....please don't be fooled into thinking that they are furry cuddly creatures that can be stroked, as this is the last thing that they are. Especially when already injured, as has been mentioned above. Foraging near Gaydon....
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npinks wrote:

And they say the cull isn't called for Overprotected and now over populated

Much like the human race really.

pinky has some quality aftershave you could borrow, a dab of it on your dog and badgers and anything foxy will run a mile At work
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For a REALLY good (powerful (860 lumens), solidly built (aircraft grade alu), compact enough) with 4 levels of beam intensity to choose from...

I've had Maglite, Lenser etc but this one knocks spots off them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fenix-TK35-light-m...amp;sr=8-1 ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Maybe raise your concerns to your local council or MP? Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Many thanks for the advice-particularly the aftershave I thought my torch was bright until I read the Fenix spec-800+ lumens-does it eat batteries? I want one if it doesn't!!

Labradorslave.
Be a bit careful. Badgers are not the bespectacled old gentlemen of Wind in the Willows - they are our largest member of the weasel family and can be extremely vicious - even to your pet. If scared, or cornered they will have a go at anything. (Even an old gardening friend defending his allotment armed - fortunately for him - with a shovel at the time). Not only are they responsible (ok, partly responsible) for the demise of the hedgehog, together with many ground nesting birds and bumblebee nests, but the TB that infected ones carry has now moved outside of the bovine / cow loop and has been found in both dogs and cats that have been unfortunate enough to come into contact. It is certainly very possible that one would have a go at your dog, given the "right" circumstances. Should one actually bite or attack the dog, the Badgers' lockable jaw would impede securing a release. Not nice!

piattj wrote:

For a REALLY good (powerful (860 lumens), solidly built (aircraft grade alu), compact enough) with 4 levels of beam intensity to choose from...

I've had Maglite, Lenser etc but this one knocks spots off them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fenix-TK35-light-m...amp;sr=8-1

+1 for Fenix torches

I bought one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0041NE...01_s00_i00 and I'm really pleased with it.

Thanks everyone for the badger advice. I quite often see them when walking dog so I'll try and scare them off in future. Discovery 4 HSE - Aintree Green
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The lamp has 4 brightness settings and 2 additional modes:
1. turbo (860 lumens, 1.5 hours)
2. Low (15 lumens, 130 hours)
3. Mid (120 lumens, 23 hours)
4. High (365 lumens, 6,5 hours)
Mode SOS: (120 Lumens)
Mode Strobo: (860 Lumens)

Here are the main features at a glance:

1. Lamp head made of high quality aircraft aluminum
2. Newly designed non-slip aircraft aluminum body
3. 7-selectable light modes
4. Water-resistant cases to IPX-8 standard (2 m waterproof)
5. Tactical switch: Light by gently pressing / continuous light at Press
6. Up to 130 hours burn time
7. Up to 340 meter lighting range

Technical Details:
1. Light Output: up to 860 lumens
2. Weight: 256 g (without batteries)
3. Dimensions: 164 x 43.6 x 51.5 mm
4. Power supply: 4 x CR123A or 2x 18650 Li-Ion Battery
5. Burn Time: Up to 130 h
6. Color: black

Content of Delivery:
1 x Fenix TK35
4x CR123A lithium battery
1x Spare seal ring
1x Lanyard
1x Belt Holster
1x Warranty Card ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Hi

I would advise extreme caution with badgers and dogs - if "plod" arrived during a dog/badger altercation who is to say you are not badgerbaiting - which carries horrendous punishments for you and the dog - keep away for the time being while they are being so active.

Not saying you are even contemplating this but try and explain whats happening to a young bobby!

Tony Tony