AS many as 10 badgers have been taken from a sett at Woolaston, near Lydney probably to be used for baiting, say wildlife experts.
"There is no doubt the animals would have suffered unspeakable cruelty at the hands of these people," said a spokesman for The Badger Protection Group.
The long established sett was completely destroyed by the diggers and there is now no sign of badger activity.
"The sett had been dug into at several places and looked more like a building site," said a spokesman.
A witness saw men with dogs near the site and a good description of two of them has been given to the police.
The spokesman said badgers vigorously defended themselves when attacked by dogs and it was because of this they were used for baiting.
"Often their jaws and legs are broken to give the dogs an advantage," he said.
Review readers are being asked to report to the police anyone they see acting suspiciously near badger setts.