THE CAMPAIGN against a mass culling of badger populations has hit the streets of Dorchester.

Members of the Dorset Mammal Group were joined by fellow campaigners as they set up in the town centre to raise awareness of a proposed cull of the countryside dwellers and encourage the public to support their efforts.

A government decision on a proposed cull of up to 6,000 badgers is imminent and, while Dorset was originally earmarked as a reserve location should sites in Gloucestershire and Somerset fail to materialise, there are fears it could be included in the final plans.

Elizabeth James from the newly formed Dorset Mammal Group said their representatives were joined by members of the Somerset Badger Group and the Badger Night Walkers as they set up a stand in South Street in Dorchester to talk to shoppers.

She said: “The main thrust of the event was to raise public awareness of the danger of the cull coming in to Dorset and that thousands of badgers will be killed and try and get them to sign an e-petition to stop this and take action in other ways.”

Mrs James said the response from people in Dorchester has been heavily in favour of the campaign and the day had been a success.

She said: “The response was very good and what was interesting was the Somerset group said that people were generally much more aware and more supportive.”

The proposed culling of badgers has sparked a host of protection groups to be set up and campaigns around the country.

Supporters of the anti-cull calls include Sir David Attenborough, Brian May and Chris Packham.

For more details on the campaign and the proposals visit the Badger Trust website at badger.org.uk.

To back the campaign and sign the e-petition against the badger cull visit epetitions.direct.

gov.uk/petitions/38257