quick news
- Defra promises to strengthen the Hunting Act
- Two Somerset huntsmen found guilty
- Stag hunt banned from village
- Cheshire hunter guilty
- Cambridge hunters charged
- Scottish hunter facing charges, is named
- Cheshire hunters charged
- Hound hit by car
- Badger debate awaited
- Multiple mink hunts sabbed
- AAF picnic a success
- Whipper-in of beagle pack charged
- Cheshire hunt kill fox
- Warwickshire hunter pays compensation
- Gloucester hunters charged
Top Stories
DEFRA PROMISE – At a meeting in Westminster, hosted by the Hunt Saboteurs Association and Wildlife Guardian, Baroness Sue Hayman reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening the Hunting Act during the Government’s current term. This forms part of a broader package of measures aimed at improving animal welfare.
GUILTY – On 28/05/25, Duncan Cinnamond, huntsman of the Somerset-based Seavington Hunt, pleaded guilty to illegal fox hunting at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court. The conviction followed evidence supplied by Two Counties Hunt Sabs, who were active at the hunt’s opening meet in October last year.
STAG HUNT BANNED – The residents of George Nympton, a village in Devon, have asked their council to declare the village a “hunt-free zone,” effectively banning the Tiverton Staghounds.
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GUILTY – Huntsman Guy Landau, of the Weston & Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt (WBHWSV), pleaded guilty to a Hunting Act offence at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on 19 May 2025.
GUILTY – Ben Horton from the Wynnstay Hunt has pleaded guilty to assaulting a saboteur. He received a caution for the attack and is subject to further police investigation. He has also pleaded guilty to a charge of racist abuse.
CHARGED – Two members of the Fitzwilliam Hunt, Shaun Parish and Jacob Whalley, have been charged with hunting offences and are due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 13 June. The charges relate to an incident in November 2024.
COURT APPEARANCE – Cheshire Rural Crime Team has reported that two women will soon appear in court (possibly at the end of July), charged with animal offences relating to an incident on 12/02/25. Their names and the hunt involved have not yet been revealed.
NO HUNTING VENUE – Greene King Brewery has reminded its tenant that hunts should not meet at its pubs. The Quantock Staghounds had previously met at the Anchor Inn, Exmouth.
HOUND INJURED – A hound from the Wynnstay Hunt was struck by a car. No members of the hunt were present when the incident occurred. Police were called, and the hunt later collected the injured dog.
SCOTLAND – Police Scotland (Lothians and Scottish Borders) report that a 30-year-old man has been charged with two offences under the 2023 Hunting with Dogs Act. The incidents took place in the Pennymuir area on 21/12/24 and in the Hawick area on 14/01/25. Matty Wilkinson is from the Jedburgh Forest Hunt.
BADGERS – Protect the Wild reports that, having secured over 100,000 signatures, they are still awaiting a date for the badger cull to be debated in Parliament. Meanwhile, Natural England has authorised further culling, despite it being against the advice of the Government’s own scientific advisors.
MINK HUNTS SABBED – Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that, on Saturday 7 June, alongside other groups, they disrupted the Northern Counties Mink and Otterhounds, who were hunting in the Esk Valley, where otters are now plentiful. On Saturday 14 June, both the Courtenay Tracey Mink Hounds and the Dove Valley Mink Hunt were successfully sabbed by Sheffield and other hunt sab groups. The Courtenay Tracey hunt were particularly unlucky, choosing to hunt near a picnic spot being used by a very active group of animal activists.
AAF PICNIC – On 14 June, members of AAF and their friends enjoyed a sunny picnic at a local animal rescue. Activities included a hobby horse race, throwing wet sponges at a stuffed hunter, and enjoying slices of delicious vegan AAF cake.
CHARGED – Northants Hunt Sabs advise that the Master, Whipper-in, and the company of the Pipewell Foot Beagles have been charged with illegal hunting. The incident occurred on 25/01/25. They are due in court on 25/07/25.
FOX KILL – On 25/01/25, the Wynnstay Hunt were recorded moments after a fox was overtaken by the hounds. The Cheshire Rural Crime Team attended and observed evidence of the fox’s organs and entrails on the ground. The Hunt had removed most of the fox’s remains. Videos revealed that the huntsman made no effort to call off the hounds. Unfortunately, no prosecution has resulted from this incident.
COMPENSATION – Petra Louise Johnston, a woman closely associated with the Warwickshire Hunt, has evaded criminal prosecution and paid £11,500 in compensation to several farmers after her two dogs went on a rampage, killing sheep and causing mayhem. She has agreed to a series of conditions with Warwickshire Police and has thus avoided prosecution. The substance of the conditions has not been disclosed.
CHARGED – Two men, David Stanbury and Thomas Bishop, have been charged with wildlife offences (hunting with dogs) after the body of a boar was discovered in the Forest of Dean. They are due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 29/07/25.
