QUICK NEWS

• Hunt supporter arrested in Tiverton
• Hunt violence and intimidation in Bungay, Suffolk
• Police block roads for hunts in Battle, Sussex
• Overloaded quad bikes used in North Wales, Somerset and elsewhere
• Protester ridden at by a horse in Somerset
• Loose foxhounds present in Ludlow despite a Public Space Protection Order
• Unsupervised children handle foxhounds with no handwashing facilities at multiple meets
• Illegal road blocking takes place in multiple locations, including:
  • Leicester
  • Yorkshire
  • Somerset
  • Devon
• Racial threats and abuse in Somerset
• Kicker horses present in crowds in multiple locations
• Damage caused to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Somerset
• Foxhounds escape their pen in Sussex
• A toddler put in danger at a meet in Yorkshire
• Cornish hunt publishes footage showing intimidation of protesters
• Illegal street collections take place in multiple locations
• Quad bikes parked on pavements in Somerset and Cornwall

Boxing Day 2025

Tiverton, Devon – Tiverton Foxhounds

A hunt supporter attempted to grab a protester’s laptop to prevent footage being shown of illegal hunting by the Tiverton Foxhounds. The supporter was immediately arrested. The hunt staged the meet despite Tiverton Town Council’s decision that they were not welcome.

Bungay, Suffolk – Waveney Harriers

A significant number of protesters were present. Hunt supporters intimidated and physically assaulted several protesters, including a retired woman holding a banner. Police were present but advised that incidents should be reported online when assistance was requested.

Battle, Sussex

A police vehicle was used to block the road to other traffic while the hunt occupied the highway. Police may only block roads in cases of accidents or where life is at risk. The hunt was enabled to hold its meet on the road without a formal road closure.

Thornton le Dale, Yorkshire – Derwent Hunt

A female rider carried her toddler in front of her on the saddle while riding a horse within a crowded area. The child wore no protective equipment. Also, a very young child was seen on a pony.

Helston, Cornwall – Cury Hunt

A hunt supporter, collecting money in a bucket, approached protesters repeatedly shaking the bucket and asking for donations. The incident was filmed by the hunt and posted online by Behind the Masks to shame protesters for refusing to donate “to charity”. Shaking collection buckets and intimidating individuals into donating are illegal, meaning the hunt published evidence of its own law-breaking.

Chard, Somerset – Cotley Hunt

Despite warnings from Environmental Health, children were again permitted to pet loose hounds with no handwashing facilities provided. Warm water, soap and towels are essential to reduce the risk of transmission of worms and other illnesses from hounds.

Market Bosworth, Leicestershire – Quorn Hunt

Ignoring warnings from police and safety experts, the hunt erected an illegal barrier to stop traffic from using the road where the hunt had gathered.

Ludlow, Shropshire – Ludlow Hunt

Hounds were allowed to range freely through the town centre, defecating at will. A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) requires dogs to be kept on leads in the town centre. Shropshire Council has informally decided not to apply the PSPO to the hunt, citing concerns about the rural economy and working dogs.

Priddy, Somerset – Mendip Farmers Hunt

The meet was held on Priddy Green, part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Wet ground conditions meant horses’ hooves caused significant damage to the surface. Priddy Parish Council, responsible for the care of the Green, continues to exempt the hunt from rules applied to others.

New Year’s Day 2026

Wiveliscombe, Somerset – Vale of Taunton and Weston & Banwell Harriers

As the hunt entered the town, a rider turned her horse towards a protester, mounted the pavement and rode at her.

In a separate incident, Wiveliscombe, a serious racist threat was overheard and recorded, in addition to a racist comment directed at a protester. Police are investigating.

Offences continued…

Illegal Traffic Control

It is illegal to direct traffic without a valid Streetworks qualification, or unless you are a police officer or other authorised, trained person. In multiple locations, including Wiveliscombe and Market Bosworth, hunt supporters wearing high-visibility clothing, were seen directing traffic. In one town, two cars came close to crashing. 

Kicker Horses in Crowds

Horses known to kick are identified by a red ribbon tied to the tail. Horses displaying red ribbons were seen in crowded areas at multiple locations, including Market Bosworth, Easingwold and Priddy. Riders took these horses into dense crowds with children walking behind them.

Hounds and Public Safety

While hounds were corralled in some locations, in others they ranged freely among crowds. In Battle, hounds escaped the pen and moved through the crowd. In Easingwold, children reached through barriers to touch hounds, with no handwashing facilities provided.

Highway Obstruction

It is illegal to block the highway without an official road closure or a genuine emergency. Hunts stopped horses for extended periods, often around an hour, in multiple locations. In Wiveliscombe, hunt marshals claimed they were not directing traffic but were recorded waving some vehicles through while stopping others.

Hounds in Traffic

Hounds ran freely in traffic in many towns. In both Easingwold and Wiveliscombe, hounds narrowly avoided being run over.

Illegal Street Collections

Street bucket collections are illegal without a licence. Such collections are common at hunt meets and were observed in many locations. Some were licensed; many were not. Freedom of Information to councils will reveal who was acting illegally. 

Quad Bikes on Roads and Pavements

Quad bikes are not permitted on public roads except when travelling between farms. Quad bikes were present at most town-centre meets and were often parked illegally on pavements. In Camelford, Cornwall, quad bikes were parked on double yellow lines and on the pavement. Last year they occupied a disabled bay; this year the behaviour continued in a different form. Only one rider is permitted on each quad bike. However, in one town, four people were aboard a single quad bike.