A KIRKLEES councillor is seeking information about bull-baiting.

The gruesome sport was popular in England before it was banned in 1835. A bull would be tied up in a ring and savaged by dogs until it was unable to move.

Almondbury Lib-Dem Clr Ann Denham would like information about an old notice which outlawed the practice. She said: “I am appealing to residents who might remember a sign prohibiting bull-baiting on Almondbury Common to get in touch.

“The sign is no longer there, but the post remains.”

Clr Denham would like to put up a new notice. She said: “Any information about what was written on this sign would be extremely helpful.

“There is no doubting the barbarous nature of the sport, but it’s a part of our history.”

Anyone with information can call 01484 221807 or email ann.denham@kirklees.gov.uk

Bull-baiting was a popular sport around Huddersfield in the early 19th century, with rings in Honley, Longwood and Golcar.

Mr Esther described the practice in his book Glossary of Almondbury District. He wrote: “The bull was usually brought from Flockton, where one was kept for the express purpose of being baited at wakes and feasts.

“At Almondbury Common is a triangular piece of ground where the animal was tortured for the pleasure of other animals as fierce as itself if not more intelligent. The bull was tied to a stake with ropes about 20 yards long. The owners of the dogs stood in the front ranks with their pets, which were successively slipped at the bull.

“Sometimes they were tossed yards high, sometimes they caught the poor creature by the muscular part of its head.”

The last bull-baiting event in Almondbury took place in 1824. Parliament passed The Cruelty to Animals Act in 1835 which banned all animal-baiting.