THE discovery of a dead badger at the side of Rochdale Road, Bacup, led to rumours of badger baiting.
But the RSPCA has confirmed that the animal was a victim of a road accident and had not been savaged by dogs.
Police wildlife officer PC Dale Pollard said a surprisingly large number of badgers were killed on the roads of Rossendale each year.
He said: "We record in the twenties being killed in any year but suspect the real number may be double that.
"Some years, of course, you get more than others. The young adults are driven off to find their own area and often get killed on the roads."
PC Pollard is also a member of the local badger group who keep a record of the deaths and the number of setts to compile information about the local badger population.
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