I would contact english nature, you can then apply for a special licence to relocate them on the grounds of health and safety.
I could be wrong but thats where Id start.
Same as trappa if Im asked I have to do it.....Had 13 rabbits in the last week from a big garden, and shot one this evening, not one of them big enough to make a meal, all went to mates ferrets.
Same as you FD when I was keepering had a few vermin lines littered about....Rats were given the heave ho though
Im amazed they blamed a Pestie before a keeper tbh
Ive used all sorts, If the river is fished a lot a few cubes of luncheon meat do well, other wise fish, chicken skin, work well.
I tend to drop mine in close to the edge but in deepish water, found they come out from nooks and crannies in the bank
Nice work Stubby.....I had 12 last week in mark 6's, had 5 set in total, all went to a mates ferrets, sure as I can be Ive got the bulk of those in the garden, fields around are full of them though so whilst customer is very happy now Im expecting repeat business
Voted no though when I lived in Lincs we ahd plenty about and used to take the odd one on a walked up day for the pot. Dont have that many here in south oxon so I dont bother them.
Keep chipping away mate...I was stunning lucky got my 1st permission at the age of 12 to shoot with airpistol I just knocked the door...Think the Old Major admired my bottle at that age tbh. LOL I never got a thing....But Im now 41 still have the permission 400 acres for shotgun and airrifle. As well as a further 27 acres and a 10 acre blocks and Ive 400 acres in Lincolnshire when I visit my folks.