Badger-baiting

thumb|Badger drawing Badger-baiting is a form of blood sport in which badgers are baited with dogs. A baiting session typically results in the death of the badger, and possibly serious injuries to the dogs.

==Background== thumb|"A Match at the Badger" by Henry Thomas Alken circa 1820 The badger is a usually quiet and docile creature in its own domain; however, when cornered or threatened it can show great courage. Weighing up to 35 pounds (15 kg) when fully grown, the badger has an extraordinarily dangerous bite, which it is willing to use when threatened. In addition, badgers have extremely powerful claws, used for digging in hard earth, which are more than capable of injuring a dog. A formidable adversary for any dog, the badger was a sought-after victim for the fighting pit.