Despite having been illegal for over 170 years, badger baiting has continued in a clandestine manner throughout Britain and Ireland until the present day. In February 2009, the "Sunday Times" reported that badger-baiting is practised by "hardcore terrier men" who are internationally organized. The "Sunday Times" has also reported that there is little attention on the part of the Irish government towards animal cruelty in general. The report led to a police operation in Ulster in which a number of dogs were seized, but no arrests were made.