THE USPCA has called for MLAs to back a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs as a new report highlights the "barbaric underworld" of practices including badger baiting in the north.
The animal charity has said that as the north remains the only part of the UK where hunting with dogs is legal, some can continue to carry out badger baiting by claiming they are legally hunting foxes.
Critics have said current legislation provides a smokescreen for "bloodthirsty" badger baiters, and the USPCA has established a campaign to protect badger setts while calling for a change in the law.
The USPCA will present a report at Stormont on Tuesday to highlight how more than 2,000 badgers are killed through baiting each year in Northern Ireland.
Despite the figures, only three people have been convicted of offences relating to killing or injuring wild animals in the north since 2011.
A BBC NI Spotlight investigation last year revealed there were around 150 people actively involved in badger baiting.
The USPCA report will contain graphic images of the result of badger baiting and the charity has said the current law needs to be enforced to prevent it being abused, while MLAs will be asked to back a ban on hunting with dogs.
Describing the brutal practice of baiting, the report states: "A small terrier dog wearing a radio collar is sent below ground into a sett. Once the dog has located a badger, the offenders dig down until they reach the dog and badger. The badger is then pulled from the sett, often disabled, and thrown to larger dogs which are allowed to kill it."
USPCA chief executive Nora Smith said: "Badger baiting is a cruel and heinous crime. Every year thousands of helpless badgers and indeed other mammals are killed purely for the fun of bloodthirsty individuals engaged in this illegal act of cruelty.
"Our report highlights the shocking reality of badger baiting in Northern Ireland and the considerable weaknesses in the investigation, enforcement and prosecution of these violent and barbaric offences. Doing nothing is not an option."
Ms Smith said her charity and the Northern Ireland Badger Group have established 'Operation Brockwatch' to protect badger setts with signage and cameras, but said further action is needed to protect badgers, dogs and other animals.
"Proper enforcement, a ban on hunting with dogs, and greater public awareness is needed to end this evil practice and protect defenceless badgers who should already be protected by law," she added.
David Martin, of Europe's largest corporate veterinary group IVC Evidensia, said law changes in Britain had impacted the number of wild animals being harmed through baiting.
"The practice of badger baiting does not just destroy protected animals like badgers. It results in gruesome injuries to the dogs as well," he said.
"Horrific injuries to jaws and teeth will often go untreated as perpetrators fear their involvement in this activity will be discovered, resulting in unnecessary suffering and cruelty. In the rest of the UK, since legislation outlawing hunting with dogs was introduced, there has thankfully been a marked decrease in this type of abuse against animals."