A PETITION calling for an end to badger culling in Dorset has attracted more than 3,000 online signatures in less than a fortnight.

The "Stop the badger cull in Dorset" petition, launched through campaigning website 38 Degrees, hit 3,000 signatures after only being online for ten days.

The petition states that there is "no scientific evidence" to suggest that culling badgers reduces the spread of bovine tuberculosis and urges Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss to bring an end to the "cruel, expensive and ineffective policy" of culling in Dorset.

Karin Snellock, press officer for campaign group Dorset for Badger and Bovine Welfare, said that she was "very pleased" to see this petition take off.

She said: "I am not surprised because people have come to realise that there's no criteria to say the first year of the cull was a success.

"There are many aspects people are unhappy with.

"There's the actual culling of the badgers because there's no scientific evidence they spread bovine TB, and then there's the cost.

"As a member of the public, you can say that you do not want your money to be used to kill badgers."

Figures released by Defra in December stated that 756 badgers were killed in Dorset last year, during the first 12 months of culls in the county.

Dorset Wildlife Trust communications officer Sally Welbourn said: "Dorset Wildlife Trust does not support the badger cull, and will not allow culling on any of its nature reserves in Dorset.

"We understand the serious implications for farmers who lose stock as a result of bovine TB, but we believe there are more effective and reliable ways of controlling it, such as better biosecurity, badger vaccination in the long term and cattle vaccination.

"Signing a petition is a great way for people to voice their objections to the cull, and they can also write to their local MP expressing their views."

David George, spokesman for the National Farmers' Union, said: "Clearly people feel that culling is not the way to go, but clearly we disagree.

"I don't know if this petition reflects wider public opinion.

"People are entitled to an opinion, but I don't think it is going to make much odds in the long term.

"It is government policy for the cull to continue."