Quick News
- Chris Mardles from the Pytchley Hunt was sent to prison for riding a horse into a sab.
- Sheep farmer begins a petition to make owners of foxhounds liable to prosecution for worrying livestock.
- AAF starts email campaign against Rother Council for allowing hunt dogs to roam freely, when everyone else is fined.
- Tory led North Yorkshire Council continues to allow hunting on council owned land, despite huge campaign.
- AAF encourages everyone to report hunts to local councils for bad behaviour on public footpaths
- Hunts are continuing call the police, fabricating stories of sabs carrying firearms.
- The new season has begun with multiple reports of violence from hunts towards sabs and monitors.
Police Court and Prosecutions
On Thurs 9th November, Chris Mardles (former whipper-in with the Pytchley and Woodland Hunt) pleaded guilty to a GBH offence against a Northants hunt sab. (The assault took place near Market Harborough on 05/08/20). He received an eighteen-month prison sentence with a further twelve months under strict licence.
Nottingham Hunt Sabs tell us that the Burton Hunt called Lincolnshire Police to say they thought the sabs had firearms.It’s a usual ploy amongst hunters and the police duly complied. A vehicle was searched for some weapons that the police already knew did not exist, and they continued to look for any possible infraction of the law. They came up with the fact that the front number plate did not have the correct factory stamp visible. While some forces would like the public conception of them to change, Lincolnshire Police are still happy to help the illegal hunts. HOWEVER – in an unexpected development, the same sab group reported that on 16th November, the Lincolnshire Rural Crime team “sent the Cottesmore packing”. Were the police trying to make amends?
Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that during the North Cumberland Hunt meet on the 4th of November, the police turned up (one van and two cars), and searched Glasgow‘s sab vehicle and try every vehicle check they could think of to find something wrong. They also took the group’s whips as they were deemed offensive weapons. During this time, hunt members passed the police brandishing whips and there were numerous quads with two and three passengers on board and without registration plates.The police showed no interest in this whatsoever
Hunt atrocities
Many hunts have had their first meet of the season this weekend. Sabs and monitors are still reporting various degrees of violence and/or intimidation, a sure sign that trailhunting is not on the agenda.
The Staffordshire and Moorland terriermen were driving around on quads without displaying number plates.
West Kent Hunt Sabs report that the Kent Hunt (the amalgamation of four hunts) could only manage to muster four riders for their opening meet, and were using foot supporters to hold up a wood. The Hunt also incurred the displeasure of some local people and they trespassed on the land of a local landowner who made his views clear.
The idea that sheep farmers welcome hunts as they reduce the risk from foxes is another of those myths perpetuated by the hunts. One of the most angry groups of people in the countryside when a hunt has passed, are the sheep farmers. The passage of a hunt close to a field full of pregnant ewes is likely to lead to multiple abortions. Foxes do not go after newborn lambs, in part because they would never dare take on a protective mother ewe. Cheshire Monitors carry a quote from a local sheep farmer: “I can’t understand why hunts are still a thing!“
On 11/11/23 the Cotswold Hunt, whilst proceeding down a valley, caused a large flock of sheep to flee.
Four weeks ago, a sab in Cheshire was ridden at and sustained ‘soft tissue damage’ only. Using their horses as weapons has become commonplace.
The Isle of Wight Hunt Hunt Sabs report: “We’ve been subjected to threats of violence and continued aggressive behaviour, especially towards our female driver.” Nothing unusual in that, but perhaps the Hunt should remember that hunters can and do end up with prison sentences that they actually have to serve when their behaviour becomes too extreme. (Often prison sentences are suspended, so the culprits do not spend time behind bars).
The Three Counties Hunt Sabs tell us that the Ledbury Hunt reported that a landowner “made a song and dance about how he wanted the hunt on his land as the foxes kill his chickens.“ The landowner needed to be reminded by a member of the hunt that they were not actually supposed to be hunting foxes, but engaging in trail hunting.
The Scottish Border Hunt Sabs report that, despite the change in the law in Scotland, the Jedburgh Hunt is still intent on killing foxes.
Stag Hunting
Stag hunts have been seen hunting and killing hinds.
Despite the distressing footage shown on Channel 4 in October – clearly showing the illegal pursuit of a stag on National Trust land, Avon and Somerset Police have dropped the investigation. Among other appallingly cruel behaviours, a member of the hunt ran his quadbike into the stag. The fact that the law is not even strong enough to protect deer from deliberate hunt cruelty is unacceptable. The law must be changed.
The British Deer Society have published their official statement on hunting deer with hounds. They state “the BDS is unable to justify the deliberate pursuit of healthy deer with hounds as an acceptable method of control.” They also state “Use of the ‘observation and study’ defence is widely seen as the cynical use of a legal loophole.”
Campaigning News – and Calls to Action
After a public outcry concerning the withdrawal of the Community Protection Notice issued to the Warwickshire Hunt, led by West Midlands Hunt Sabs and AAF Midlands, the Police Crime Commissioner (known to be a member of the Countryside Alliance, the pro hunting lobby group) finally replied to the letter he received from Matt Western MP. Unsuprisingly, he said it was nothing to do with him, and to direct the enquiry to Chief Constable Debbie Tedds. Mr Western then wrote to her. He is now waiting for her reply.
North Yorkshire Council met to discuss the motion by Cllr Rich Maw to ban hunting on council owned land. After some devious political shenanigans by the Tory led council, the motion was defeated.
We are always asking everyone to report bad behaviour of all hunts to all possible authorities. Councils are responsible for rights of way, and you can report the hunts for behaving badly on footpaths. You CANNOT block a footpath with a horse, or anything else for that matter. Horses, are for the most part, only permitted on bridleways and not footpaths. If hunts behave badly in any way at all on a footpath, the council needs to know about it. They are usually more responsive than the police. In Cornwall, you report these incidents as “Countryside Issues”.
Despite a Public Space Protection Order prohibiting unleashed dogs in Battle, Sussex, Rother District Council have taken the astonishing decision – in ADVANCE – not to enforce the PSPO for the ERSM and the SDE Hunts on Boxing Day. We simply will not accept that they can do this, so once again, we have teamed up with Protect the Wild to start an email campaign. Please make your feelings known to the council.
Sheep farmer’s petition
A sheep farmer has begun a petition to make hunts liable to prosecution if their hounds worry livestock. There are TWO petitions – one change.org (below) and another one to come – a PARLIAMENTARY ONE.
Change.org: https://chng.it/g5vkfKkchj
