Top Stories

KILL – North Dorset Hunt Sabs have a video of hounds invading private gardens. A fox was killed out of sight of the camera but terriermen were recorded going in and recovering the remains of the fox. The offending hunt is the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV).  Avon and Somerset police are investigating.

TRESPASS – While hunts often trespass, the Blencathra Hunt’s trespass on Saturday was very extensive as they hunted on Cumbria Wildlife Trust land. Cumbria Police attended.

VIOLENCE – On Saturday 16/11/24, Huntsman Thomas Haddock, from the Grove and Rufford Hunt, rode his horse into a member of Sheffield Hunt Sabs,  and threatening to smash his face in. Their frustration overflowed after a farmer had previously kicked them off his land.

WINNING CAMPAIGN – After a short (but effective) campaign from AAF, Ludlow Castle appear to have decided not to allow the hounds and the Master inside on Boxing Day, at least for this year. As the Castle are being rather vague about it and won’t give a straight answer to a straight question, we cannot be sure until Boxing Day itself. In the meantime, Ludlow Castle is still featured on Protect the Wild’s Blood Business data base.

 

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NEWS REPORT – This week, ITV News reported on foxhunting. A journalist and a cameraman were taken out with the West Midlands Hunt Sabs. The ITV journalists were harassed by a member of the Hunt. This footage was not seen in full on the ITV news report. 

HUNT RIDER INJURED – Hull Wildlife Protectors (HWP) report that, when they were out monitoring the Holderness Hunt, one of the hunt riders took a serious fall into a dyke and got very wet, and cold. It later transpired that the rider had received a broken pelvis. The rider was in a lot of pain but the Hunt moved on without her. The HWP member stayed to help the injured party but, meanwhile, the Hunt may have killed a fox.

A BIT OF FUN Courtesy of the Cotswold Hunt Sabs.

Do look at this link and try not to smile. Karma.

PUMPKIN THROWING – North London Hunt Sabs report that supporters of the Puckeridge Hunt threw a large pumpkin at their vehicle as it passed, travelling in the opposite direction. It missed the windscreen but did leave a dent on the bonnet. Essex police have seen the incident on video and are taking it seriously.

GUILTY – Ryan Brennan, terrier man, from the Wynnstay Hunt pleaded guilty to illegally blocking a badger sett. The offence took place in January 2024. He received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.

The Wynnstay has a growing list of convictions.

• Ex-huntsman Chris Woodward was found guilty under Section 1 of the Hunting Act in December 2023 after Wynnstay hounds chased a fox.
• Months before that conviction, in August 2023, Woodward pleaded guilty to interfering with a badger sett.
• And in October 2022, Jamie Barnes and Ben Davies were convicted for digging out a badger sett the day before the Wynnstay Hunt were planning to meet there. The court was told the hunt had asked Barnes to “get a rogue fox” ahead of its meet. All of these men only received fines.

Also, on 12/11/24, Brennan was videoed preventing a fox going to ground in a badger sett. And, on 05/11/24 the Wynnstay Hunt were videoed by trail cameras preventing a hunted fox going to ground.

VIOLENCE TO SABS – If anyone reading this is not aware of the aggression hunt sabs endure here is a link taken from the Cheshire Monitors’ Facebook page.

SCOTLAND – The Scottish border Hunt Sabs report that they are still having problems with the Jedburgh Hunt. On Saturday the sabs called 999 after one of the hunt cars drove at them at speed. The police did attend and the Sabs thanked them for their diligence.

PRIVATE EYE – ‘Private Eye’, the satirical magazine, carried an article about the Warwickshire Police, the Warwickshire PCC and their disfunctionalism. It is really valuable to have the disgraceful shenanigans of the Warwickshire Police and their PCC exposed nationally.

NEW SAB GROUP – There is a new group that has become affiliated to the Hunt Sabs Association. We welcome South Thames Hunt Sabs and wish them luck.

PRO HUNT UNIVERSITY – The Royal Agricultural College (RAC) Beagles were out on Saturday parading on university land. The University appears to be complicit in this criminal activity. (Report courtesy of Severn Vale Hunt Sabs).

HOUND HIT BY CAR – Three Counties Hunt Sabs report that a hound from the Worcestershire Hunt was hit by a car.

Campaigns and things to do (now)

BOXING DAY gives us a campaigning platform like no other. They come out and show themselves – so we point out to everyone what it is they are really doing. Help us, by telling the public not to go to a Festive Meet.
Order Boxing Day/New Year’s Day leaflets from AAF to distribute in towns with a Festive Meet

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.

 

 

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