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In February 24, three hounds belonging to the Pychley with Woodland Hunt were killed in a traffic incident. Northants Police are taking no action over this incident.

Sam Staniland, ex-huntsmand for Suffolk and Essex Hunt, is to stand trial on 31st May. He has been charged with six offences relating to animal welfare. He is accused of arranging for his dogs to fight with badgers and foxes. The case is being brought by the RSPCA.

The Llandeilo Farmers Hunt, a Carmarthenshire based hunt, folded in September 2023. The huntsman from that hunt, Greg Baker, has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals. When the RSPCA raided Baker’s property, they found five horses suffering from extreme neglect. All were severely underweight and suffering from lice infestations and rain scald – a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to the elements. One of the horses – a Shetland pony – weighed just 60 kg when rescued. She put on 20 kg when provided with basic care and nutrition by the RSPCA. Additionally, a foxhound was found to have a prolapsed penis and had to be treated with methadone – the highest level of pain relief licensed for dogs. Baker has been sentenced to 20 weeks prison, suspended for 2 years, 150 hours of unpaid work plus a £150 surcharge.

The Newt, a prestigious hotel in Somerset and a favourite of the rich and famous, has been permitting the BSV (Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt) to meet on its premises. When challenged about it they obfuscated. Protect the Wild is pursuing them for an unequivocal statement about their policy towards fox hunting. They took their campaign to the Chelsea Flower Show, which the Newt sponsors. There is now a petition requesting the Chelsea Flower Show cuts its ties with the Newt.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/rhs/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3v-KzS0210H8dL40aRQ0iMTKUyTUpqLdTJNGoQ5LuQePeAEv6PKXupCZQ_aem_AenKZGQ3gkYRRH4o7zQMreaGKuLvcMkZ7T1w36LdmEgAQI_d8x6MYJEho4pAE2NEF9lvHfh_FRUb_JtB7hG_Ovo5

The link between the hotel and the hunt seems to be Susan Seager, the estate manager.

With the General Election announced, AAF  wants hunting to be a common subject for doorstep conversations between candidates and voters. For more information, click here.

 

Sab action

We now have another new sab group – South Suffolk Hunt Sabs.

Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs believe that the (hunting) country vacated by the failed Oakley Hunt will pass to the Cambridge with Enfield Chase Hunt. They also believe that the Oakley Hunt continues to break laws concerning the disposal of biological waste, including a dead cow.

Northants Hunt Sabs are continuing to challenge the Cottesmore Hunt from all angles. At a hunt fund raiser, they drew attention to the use the hunt makes of the money raised.

Various sab groups have managed to send mink and otter hunters back to their kennels last weekend. Firstly the Northern Counties Hunt were confronted on Friday evening, and then on Saturday the Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds were caught hunting in prime otter territory.

court, Police and prosecutions

Louis Sheridan and another man, Miller, have pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with a dog. The offence occurred on 13 October 2023 on farm land in Lincolnshire. When they were apprehended, the two vehicle occupants had two dogs in their car, along with three thermal imaging cameras, a video camera, and four mobile phones. They have both been given a 10 year CBO (Criminal Behaviour Order). They were forced to relinquish ownership of the dogs which have now been rehomed and they have to pay for kennelling fees as part of the fines. Both men were ordered to pay £4575.50 within 30 days.

Police have issued a conditional caution to Daniel Hammett, a member of the Beaufort Hunt. He attempted to drag a sab out of a car belonging to Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch. The attack was captured on film.

West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue to expose the hypocrisy of the Warwickshire PCC, Philip Seccombe, and the Warwickshire Police. Their latest missive points out that pony clubs run by hunts, fun rides and charity fundraising, and point-to-points all lead to the subsidising of the illegal hunting that continues throughout the country. It is fortunately now acknowledged as such, by the most senior police officer responsible for hunting in England and Wales, Chief Superintendent Matthew Longman.

 

 

Thank you to all the saboteur and monitor groups whose hit reports we have used in our Newsbyte. Please let us know if we have made any mistakes – info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Campaigns and things to do (now) 

AAF Midlands has written to the owners of Rhug Estate, Lord Robert and Lady Sue Newborough, reminding them of their responsibilities as landowners and that they are committing an offence under the Hunting Act 2004 if they knowingly permit land which belongs to them to be used for illegal hunting. The Wynnstay Hunt which uses their estate has a string of convictions around the issue of illegal hunting.

AAS (Action Against Staghunting)  have been approached by a barrister with the aim of challenging the modern interpretation of Sporting Rights and land covenants. They are aiming to crowd fund the legal challenge.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/saveourstags If they were to succeed in this endeavour it would be a significant victory. It affects all kinds of hunting, not only stag.

AAF Outreach

Outreach is our business. We need to talk to people outside of Social Media. Standing in the street, talking to people about foxhunting is easier than you might think.  Please contact Alyson Rogers, Outreach Advisor a.rogers@actionagainstfoxhunting.org and she will help you to everything you need.