quick news

• Two Dorset Hunts banned from show

• Cambridge hunter found guilty

• Dorset hunter guilty

• AAF seeking information on shows

• Wiltshire beagle packs merge

• Avon and Somerset Police refuse Freedom of Information request

• Festival of Hounds takes place

• Group calls for convicted hunters to be banned for life

• Northampton hunters plead not guilty

• Cub Hunting to start – order leaflets here
• Government Consultation on Hunting Act due — involve your MP

Top Stories

BANNED

The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show has asked both the Portman Hunt and the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt not to attend their agricultural show. They cite the hunts’ recent convictions for illegal fox hunting as the reason for excluding them.

It appears, however, that the show still intends to hold a parade of hounds, presumably involving hunts that have yet to be convicted.

GUILTY

On Friday, 4 July 2025, at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, Jacob Whalley, the whipper-in from the Fitzwilliam Hunt, pleaded guilty to hunting offences and received a £663 fine.

The huntsman from the same hunt, Shaun Parish, pleaded not guilty and is due to go on trial in November. He already has a previous conviction for illegal hunting.

GUILTY

Shane Cooper, a member of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV), was back in court on 16 July 2025 after breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). Mr Cooper was originally convicted of theft and assault in 2023 against hunt saboteurs, which led to the CBO being issued.

More News

Convicted Hunts at Shows

AAF is seeking information on county shows that allow convicted hunts to display their hounds. The challenge is identifying which hunts attend which shows.

If you have any information, please contact them at info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org. The only certain way to find out is by attending the shows in person.

Merger

The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) reports that two beagle packs have merged: the Wiltshire & Infantry Beagles (WIB) and the Chilmark & Clifton Foot Beagles (CCFB). Both packs have faced increased attention from local sab groups in recent years.

The newly merged hunt will be called the Clifton & Infantry Beagles.

Police

Avon and Somerset Police were asked if they had issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt. The police refused to confirm or deny this, stating they did not believe it was in the public interest to disclose the information.

Festival of Hounds

On 16 July 2024, the event known as the “Festival of Hounds” took place at the Peterborough East of England Agricultural Showground. Hounds from various packs—both convicted and unconvicted of illegal hunting—were displayed.

The League Against Cruel Sports attended the event, handing out leaflets explaining how hounds are used to pursue and kill wildlife.

Strengthening the Hunting Act

The anti-hunt group Stop Them Hunting is calling for changes to the law to include:

• Making lack of control over hounds an offence.

• Banning anyone convicted under the Hunting Act from working with hounds again.

Not Guilty Plea

Huntsman Philip Anthony Saunders and whipper-in Rachael Victoria Lenton, from the Pipewell Foot Beagles, have both pleaded not guilty to hunting offences under the Hunting Act 2004 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.

The alleged offence—killing a hare—occurred on 25 January 2025. Saunders and Lenton are scheduled to stand trial on 6 and 7 November 2025.