Latest News 1st April 2023
PROSECUTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS AND CONVICTIONS
Two members of two hunts are awaiting sentencing for incidents that occurred during hunts. Chris Mardles, from the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt will be sentenced for GBH on 25/04/23. Stewart Masters a supporter from the South Dorset Hunt, will be sentenced in April for careless driving.
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In January 2022 an undercover investigation showed the Vale of White Horse Hunt hunting a fox. On Monday 20/03/23, their case was dismissed in court, maybe, but only maybe, due to failings of the CPS. After a key witness had a stroke, the CPS asked for an adjournment. This might well have been a reasonable request, but the Magistrate denied it. The CPS was not then in a position to offer evidence and so the case was dismissed.
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Channel 4 reported, with video, an incident involving the Cotswold Hunt. Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch are shown rescuing a bagged fox from an underground prison. The news item also covered the RAC (Royal Agricultural College) engaging in illegal hare coursing, and a picture of a dead fox strapped to the roof of a car which had been paraded around town a few weeks previously. (When Sheffield Hunt Sabs had a dead fox smashed against their vehicle, the culprit was charged with outraging public decency.) The British Hound Sports Association has now suspended the Cotswold Hunt. The estate on which this animal abuse occurred, Miserden Estate, has now banned the Cotswold Hunt from its land. An investigation is being carried out by Gloucestershire Police.
POLICE
Wiltshire Police have finally decided to remove Cheryl Knight, the foxhunting PC, from their Rural Crime Team. After a peaceful demonstration outside police headquarters in Devizes (attended by many groups, including AAF), a successful petition attracting over 40k signatures, articles in the local press, a “Media Storm” on Friday 24th March, and a great deal of attention on Social Media, WiltsPol must have realised that it was a big mistake to appoint her in the first place. They already had an appalling reputation with regards to policing illegal foxhunting – and this appointment simply made things worse. The disgraced Avon Vale Hunt, the dropped investigation into a hunt supporter’s serious attack on a sab, the riot and prosecutions following the Boxing Day 2021 demo at Lacock, the investigation into police failures during the riot, the 2022 Boxing Day demo, PCC Phillip Wilkinson’s shocking comments on Social Media about sabs being “thugs” – it was all bad enough anyway. And the cost? Just policing the headquarters demo cost the taxpayer nearly £64k. The total figure for their apparent support of the hunt must be astronomical. And this is a force in special measures.
Police Regulations 2003 forbids officers from activities which may compromise their impartiality. “A member of a police force shall at all times abstain from any activity which is likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of his duties or which is likely to give rise to the impression among members of the public that it may so interfere.”
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When the West Kent Hunt Sabs were alerted that the Crundale Beagles were out hunting hares, Kent Police didn’t respond to a call from the sabs. When the situation started to get dangerous with a quad bike being driven at the sabs, the police were again called, and again they did not attend. They may have been taking advice from Mike Bax. He is not a police officer but a former huntsman and master of the Blean Beagles and an adviser to the Kent Rural Crime Team. Or perhaps PC Dunbarton-Scott was on the case. She is in a relationship with a known huntsman.
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On 26/03/23 – a Sunday – the Huckworthy Bassets, a new hare hunting pack, met near the home of Sgt Charlotte Lee, member of Dorset Police Force. Sgt Lee’s parents are hunt supporters. North Dorset Hunt Sabs and Dorset Against Bloodsports were present, and hopefully they ruined this Pirate Pack’s day.
LAND ACCESS
Three Counties Hunt Sabs make an excellent point in their recent post. They genuinely believe that some landowners will not know that the hunts are engaged in criminal activities. However, it beggars belief that ALL of the estates used by hunts are unaware of the criminality of the hunts. Will Miserden Estates (who have banned the Cotswold Hunt) similarly ban the RAC (Royal Agricultural College/University Beagles)? The Cotswold Hunt has suspended their website and cancelled their Point 2 Point.
NEW BLOODHOUND PACK IN CORNWALL
But now for something completely different; the first possible scent of a significant victory. West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are reporting that a new hunt is forming. It is a bloodhound pack and it will be doing what is called ‘clean boot’ hunting. The new hunt is called ‘West Cornwall Hounds.’ They will follow the scent laid down by a human runner. They already have the approval from the MDBA (Master of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association). What makes this so significant are the rumours swirling around this news item. The new hunt may be largely composed of ex-members of the Western Hunt. Their new Facebook page expresses gratitude to the Nar Valley and Hamilton packs who have “kindly gifted some of their lovely hounds to start our Cornish pack.” They look as though they have approved land on which to hunt. We wish the new hunt well.
HUNTING MSP
Rachael Hamilton, the Conservative MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, who has previously faced questions about her links with hunting, has been described as one of the fiercest opponents of the new Hunting Legislation for Scotland. At no point in her scrutiny of the bill did she alert colleagues or the public to the fact she benefits from her links with hunting. No further comment required.
BUSINESS INVOLVED IN HUNTING
The head of a crisp manufacturer (Tayto Crisps) loves to fox hunt. Perhaps this is a product to avoid.
HUNT AMALGAMATION
West Somerset Beagles and Illminster Beagles have amalgamated.
HUNT BEHAVIOUR
On 25/03/23, a hound from the South Devon Hunt became entangled in a barbed-wire fence. Devon County Hunt Sabs heard him screaming in terror and pain, and immediately went to the hound’s rescue. The huntsman tossed a pair of bolt cutters at the sabs (they landed in a stream) and rode on, unconcerned. One sab was badly bitten by the terrified dog, and was taken to A&E.
AAF NEWS
Boxing Day Meets
After three years of work, AAF Somerset has finally managed to pin down Somerset County Council and insist that they treat the hunts in the exactly the same way as they treat everyone else wanting to stage an event on the highway. However, we have heard these promises twice before, and on each occasion, SCC has not honoured them. Third time lucky (maybe). If you would like to object to a Boxing Day Meet in your area, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org.
Secret World Wildlife Rescue are holding Easter Fun Days over the Easter weekend. AAF will be there on 7th and 8thApril, painting faces and talking about all things foxy. Please come and say hello! The whole event is such fun. 10am to 4pm. New Road, East Huntspill, Highbridge TA9 3PZ. https://www.secretworld.org/events-page
AAF Network is up an running! We have local contacts in every county of England. If you join AAF (free to join, of course), we can put you in touch with other locals. To find out a bit more, please click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/volunteer-enquiry/
