Badger baiting remains a problem in Scotland

It is hoped a new telephone line service, which protects callers' anonymity, will help catch criminals profiting from practices like dog fighting and badger baiting.

The SSPCA said early tip-offs could prevent animal cruelty and other illegal activities.

Crimestoppers Scotland said it hoped the service would help prevent animals being killed in the name of sport.

SSPCA spokesperson Doreen Graham said the public would be shocked at the level of cruelty shown to some animals in Scotland.

Some of the intelligence we're receiving is coming too late after the event Doreen Graham, SSPCA

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme she said: "We believe there are far more incidents that we're not hearing about - quite simply because people are frightened to tell us.

"By using the Crimestoppers' number it's anonymous, free and the number won't appear on any phone bill."

She said that many people who were involved in dog fighting or badger baiting were also connected to drug dealing and other criminal activities.

"The idea is that when a call comes in the caller may be eligible for an award and their anonymity will still be maintained.

"But it means we can be contacted if it needs a joint operation between a particular force and ourselves.

"Just now, some of the intelligence we're receiving is coming too late after the event."

'Sporting activity'

The SSPCA believed cock-fighting "had been consigned to the history books" but in August it found two birds with metal spurs taped to their legs, she added.

In another incident in West Lothian, a badger sett had been dug out and a young female badger was found in a nearby burn.

She drowned after failing to recover from her injuries, which were described in a post-mortem examination report as horrific.

Superintendent Paul Gilroy, from Lothian and Borders Police and a member of the Crimestoppers Scotland Board, said: "Anyone using the Crimestoppers Scotland number will always remain completely anonymous.

"Anyone with information that could help Scottish SPCA Officers in their fight against animal cruelty could make an enormous difference with one telephone call.

"Many animals could be saved from horrific deaths that are unnecessary and in the name of money or a twisted belief that theirs is a sporting activity."