I have recently seen two Argus articles and photos of badger cubs being rescued – now followed by a letter from Pat Hayden of The Badger Trust looking for donations to pay for the upkeep and rescue of abandoned badger cubs (The Argus, April 9).

The question of just how “abandoned” badger cubs really are comes to mind year after year when these stories appear. Farmers and the Government have demonised badgers and decided that it is not the vile intensive industrialising of animal life by overcrowding or poor husbandry or plain cruelty that is making cows vulnerable to tuberculosis – it is badgers.

The public may, therefore, believe they can disturb, remove or kill badgers without consequence if they wish to. In truth, badgers are a heavily protected species.

There are three Acts of Parliament (that is three criminal offences to you and me) which members of the public should be aware of if planning to do anything in the vicinity of a badger sett.

Badgers are specifically protected from any form of interference, attack, removal, killing or damage to their setts by The Badger Protection Act of 1992. A special licence is required to interfere with or have them relocated to artificial setts built specially for them but it is exceptionally and rarely granted.

Even putting up a replacement fence requires care in order not to attract a criminal charge if a badger sett is nearby.

Any bushes or ground cover nearby must be left untouched as removal would constitute a potential crime if it compromises the badger’s needs. This is, indeed, an issue which came up at Goldstone Crescent over the past week or so near a proposed redevelopment site. The council ecologist has this week even advised myself and The Badger Trust that it would be legitimate to call 999 if this kind of activity is spotted.

As well as The Badger Protection Act of 1992, the public needs to be aware that The Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981 and The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act of l996 also apply.

Further, if a planning officer has an application in hand where badgers have been known to exist, he or she is expected to make judgments and take responsibility for outcomes in order to comply with Planning Policy Statement No. 9 attached to the The Planning Act.

It has become a commonplace for humans to only see their own needs and wants and to pay lip service to wildlife and ecological matters – even to spray insecticides and chop down trees (without planning permission) while professing love of the birds and bees.

All these laws and protections are as much for our benefit as for the animals. The presence of wildlife is proof of the liveability of an area and the survival of us selfish humans really does depend on the survival of everything else in nature.

Please call the RSPCA or dial 999 and use the law to protect badger cubs from becoming “abandoned” if you see human activity anywhere near a badger sett you are aware of.

Valerie Paynter saveHOVE, Hove