Campaigners against the slaughter of badgers gathered outside county council headquarters today ahead of a debate on whether the controversial cull should be banned in Devon.
Around 80 protestors wearing fancy dress and wielding placards stood on the steps of Devon County Hall this afternoon to demonstrate against the killing of the wild animal on council land.
The group staged a mock badger shooting exercise involving a 'devil' marksman as opponents warn the "farcical" cull could soon be extended across the country.
Animal welfare campaigners have claimed there is "no justification" for the "misguided" badger cull to continue, and urge supporters to oppose extending the killing to new areas.
Ama Menec, chairman of Totnes Badger Vaccination Action Campaign, said: "If we have a badger cull in Devon - not only will it be horrific, socially divisive and devastating for tourism - it will cost millions. We cannot afford that kind of damage to our local economy."
Two pilot culls have already been carried-out in Somerset and Gloucestershire as part of the Government's strategy to combat rising rates of bovine TB in cattle.
Ms Menec added: "Many of us have spent time in the badger cull zone, and have seen first-hand how it's riven those communities in two. In the cull zones, it's caused very close to a civil war, with gunmen roaming the streets shooting at badgers and occasionally at protestors. It's been absolutely hellish."
Devon and Cornwall are among nine counties regarded as hotspots for the disease, which resulted in 28,000 cattle being slaughtered in 2012.
Revised figures show the number of herds infected with TB last September was 3,417 – almost a third lower than the previous figure of 4,778 herds.
Labour councillors in Devon proposed a banning motion at a council meeting in December following remarks made by culls trial expert Lord Krebs' that the Government's pilot schemes had become a "fiasco".
But the debate on the issue was delayed for the second time last month, prompting anger from the party.
Council leader John Hart said he had considered the motion and decided that "there will need to be a full council debate".
Andy Robertson, NFU director general, said: "TB is devastating farming family businesses across large parts of the country and it is vital it is controlled and eradicated."
