Protective: Badgers can be aggressive if scared

A Wimbledon College pupil got a nasty surprise when he provided a hungry badger with something to get its teeth into.

Harry Parsons, of Aragon Road, Kingston, was attacked by the animal on Wimbledon Common as he walked to his gran's house after a day at school.

"I was just walking along and it bit me and wouldn't let go. It was very painful," he said.

The animal struck around 6pm Monday, approaching Harry from behind and clamping on to his heel.

It only relaxed its jaws after he kicked it repeatedly with his other foot.

Harry, 13, returned home, and later that evening was taken to Kingston Hospital where his wound was treated and he was given a precautionary tetanus jab.

“They’re normally fairly shy animals but he may have been near their sett or their young. Like all animals, they can be aggressive if frightened." Tony Drakeford

South London nature expert, Tony Drakeford, said the badger may have launched the attack in a bid to defend its young.

Badgers give birth in February and March and can become fiercely territorial as a result, he said.

"They're normally fairly shy animals but he may have been near their sett or their young. Like all animals, they can be aggressive if frightened," he added.

However, Mr Drakeford said most badgers would "run a mile" from humans and described the injury as "a chance in a thousand".

3:01pm Thursday 20th March 2008

Bite mark: The badger sank its teeth into Harry's heel

Injured: Harry Parsons

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