Latest News 1st April 2023

PROSECUTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Two members of two hunts are awaiting sentencing for incidents that occurred during hunts. Chris Mardles, from the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt will be sentenced for GBH on 25/04/23. Stewart Masters a supporter from the South Dorset Hunt, will be sentenced in April for careless driving.
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In January 2022 an undercover investigation showed the Vale of White Horse Hunt hunting a fox. On Monday 20/03/23, their case was dismissed in court, maybe, but only maybe, due to failings of the CPS.  After a key witness had a stroke, the CPS asked for an adjournment. This might well have been a reasonable request, but the Magistrate denied it. The CPS was not then in a position to offer evidence and so the case was dismissed.
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Channel 4 reported, with video, an incident involving the Cotswold Hunt. Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch are shown rescuing a bagged fox from an underground prison. The news item also covered the RAC (Royal Agricultural College) engaging in illegal hare coursing, and a picture of a dead fox strapped to the roof of a car which had been paraded around town a few weeks previously. (When Sheffield Hunt Sabs had a dead fox smashed against their vehicle, the culprit was charged with outraging public decency.) The British Hound Sports Association has now suspended the Cotswold Hunt. The estate on which this animal abuse occurred, Miserden Estate, has now banned the Cotswold Hunt from its land. An investigation is being carried out by Gloucestershire Police.

POLICE

Wiltshire Police have finally decided to remove Cheryl Knight, the foxhunting PC, from their Rural Crime Team. After a peaceful demonstration outside police headquarters in Devizes (attended by many groups, including AAF), a successful petition attracting over 40k signatures, articles in the local press, a “Media Storm” on Friday 24th March, and a great deal of attention on Social Media, WiltsPol must have realised that it was a big mistake to appoint her in the first place. They already had an appalling reputation with regards to policing illegal foxhunting – and this appointment simply made things worse. The disgraced Avon Vale Hunt, the dropped investigation into a hunt supporter’s serious attack on a sab, the riot and prosecutions following the Boxing Day 2021 demo at Lacock, the investigation into police failures during the riot, the 2022 Boxing Day demo, PCC Phillip Wilkinson’s shocking comments on Social Media about sabs being “thugs” – it was all bad enough anyway.  And the cost? Just policing the headquarters demo cost the taxpayer nearly £64k. The total figure for their apparent support of the hunt must be astronomical. And this is a force in special measures.
Police Regulations 2003 forbids officers from activities which may compromise their impartiality. “A member of a police force shall at all times abstain from any activity which is likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of his duties or which is likely to give rise to the impression among members of the public that it may so interfere.”
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When the West Kent Hunt Sabs were alerted that the Crundale Beagles were out hunting hares, Kent Police didn’t respond to a call from the sabs. When the situation started to get dangerous with a quad bike being driven at the sabs, the police were again called, and again they did not attend. They may have been taking advice from Mike Bax. He is not a police officer but a former huntsman and master of the Blean Beagles and an adviser to the Kent Rural Crime Team. Or perhaps PC Dunbarton-Scott was on the case. She is in a relationship with a known huntsman.
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On 26/03/23 – a Sunday –  the Huckworthy Bassets, a new hare hunting pack, met near the home of Sgt Charlotte Lee, member of Dorset Police Force. Sgt Lee’s parents are hunt supporters. North Dorset Hunt Sabs and Dorset Against Bloodsports were present, and hopefully they ruined this Pirate Pack’s day.

LAND ACCESS

Three Counties Hunt Sabs make an excellent point in their recent post. They genuinely believe that some landowners will not know that the hunts are engaged in criminal activities. However, it beggars belief that ALL of the estates used by hunts are unaware of the criminality of the hunts. Will Miserden Estates (who have banned the Cotswold Hunt) similarly ban the RAC (Royal Agricultural College/University Beagles)? The Cotswold Hunt has suspended their website and cancelled their Point 2 Point.

NEW BLOODHOUND PACK IN CORNWALL

But now for something completely different; the first possible scent of a significant victory. West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are reporting that a new hunt is forming. It is a bloodhound pack and it will be doing what is called ‘clean boot’ hunting. The new hunt is called ‘West Cornwall Hounds.’ They will follow the scent laid down by a human runner. They already have the approval from the MDBA (Master of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association). What makes this so significant are the rumours swirling around this news item. The new hunt may be largely composed of ex-members of the Western Hunt. Their new Facebook page expresses gratitude to the Nar Valley and Hamilton packs who have “kindly gifted some of their lovely hounds to start our Cornish pack.” They look as though they have approved land on which to hunt. We wish the new hunt well.

HUNTING MSP

Rachael Hamilton, the Conservative MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, who has previously faced questions about her links with hunting, has been described as one of the fiercest opponents of the new Hunting Legislation for Scotland. At no point in her scrutiny of the bill did she alert colleagues or the public to the fact she benefits from her links with hunting. No further comment required.

BUSINESS INVOLVED IN HUNTING

The head of a crisp manufacturer (Tayto Crisps) loves to fox hunt. Perhaps this is a product to avoid.

HUNT AMALGAMATION

West Somerset Beagles and Illminster Beagles have amalgamated.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

On 25/03/23, a hound from the South Devon Hunt became entangled in a barbed-wire fence. Devon County Hunt Sabs heard him screaming in terror and pain, and immediately went to the hound’s rescue. The huntsman tossed a pair of bolt cutters at the sabs (they landed in a stream) and rode on, unconcerned. One sab was badly bitten by the terrified dog, and was taken to A&E.

AAF NEWS

Boxing Day Meets
After three years of work, AAF Somerset has finally managed to pin down Somerset County Council and insist that they treat the hunts in the exactly the same way as they treat everyone else wanting to stage an event on the highway. However, we have heard these promises twice before, and on each occasion, SCC has not honoured them. Third time lucky (maybe). If you would like to object to a Boxing Day Meet in your area, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue are holding Easter Fun Days over the Easter weekend. AAF will be there on 7th and 8^thApril, painting faces and talking about all things foxy. Please come and say hello! The whole event is such fun. 10am to 4pm. New Road, East Huntspill, Highbridge TA9 3PZ. https://www.secretworld.org/events-page

AAF Network is up an running! We have local contacts in every county of England. If you join AAF (free to join, of course), we can put you in touch with other locals. To find out a bit more, please click here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/volunteer-enquiry/

 

 

Latest news 19th March 2023

6.23

Bad News for HuntS

Essex Farmers Hunt cancelled their meets for 04/03/23 and 6/03/23 The Community Protection Warning, recently issued by Essex Police, prevented their usual law-breaking activities. Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs and North London Hunt Sabs worked alongside the police to achieve the CPN. 
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Manchester Hunt Sabs paired with the Staffordshire Hunt Sabs to pay the final sabbing visit not just for this season, but forever, to the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt. It seems to be a generally held view that this hunt is now finished forever. Its demise has now finally been confirmed by BBC news. Strange that it should go with scarcely a whimper. 230 years of history consigned to the bin.
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The demise of the Renfrew and Lanarkshire Hunt was announced and Glasgow Hunt Sabs give a very good account of its long but continuous decline. 
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All these hunts are no longer with us. 
Renfrew and Lanarkshire
Fife Foxhounds,
Avon Vale,
Meynell and South Staffordshire.
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The Hunting Office (renamed as the BHSA) ejected two men from their organisation after they were videoed releasing foxes in front of hounds from the Avon Vale Hunt. The release of this video signalled the end of this hunt. It would appear that the senior master of the Avon Vale Hunt (Mike Smith) has also been disciplined by the BHSA and he too has now been permanently banned. Mike Smith has been hunting for over 60 years.
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For various reasons (all bad from the hunts point of view), Norfolk & Suffolk Hunt Sabs were able to say in very bold letters, “no hunts out in Norfolk today.” These sabs have worked with the police, and are grateful to the Norfolk Rural Crime Team.
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The National Trust has decided not to renew the grouse shooting licence at Park Hall in Derbyshire. That should deny the shooting industry of about 1600 acres of Moorland.

Police

Essex Police have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmers Hunt.
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In a week that was already charged with significant developments, Cheshire Hounds had an unpleasant surprise on Sat 04/03/23. The police were present at their meet with three cars, three scrambler bikes and a drone. The scrambler bikes did indeed go off road and the police witnessed for themselves, and almost certainly had it on their own cameras, a fox being pursued by hounds that were as close as 20 feet behind it. It dived into a sett in the nick of time and its life was saved. Sabs guarded the sett instantly. Perhaps with encouragement from the police, the hunt packed up at about 14:45, somewhat earlier than expected.
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Northamptonshire Police have issued a Community Protection Warning to a supporter of the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt. She has also been given a Conditional Caution for the offence of section 5 Public Order. She was using her car in an aggressive manner and blocking the road.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs organised a demonstration outside the Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes. It was well attended and peaceful. They were protesting that Wiltshire Police had officers that engaged in criminal activity. (ie, hunting).
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The petition that you were asked to sign last week has reached 25,000+ signatures. If you haven’t already signed please do so. Wiltshire Police really do need to know that their interpretations of “standards” is not acceptable. Once again, here is the link.

https://www.change.org/p/protect-wiltshire-wildlife-rural-crime-officer-has-links-to-the-hunt?
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Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that a quad was seized by the Warwickshire Rural Crime Team. It would appear the quad was associated with a hunt.
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On Saturday (11/03/23)  Cheshire Police were called to the Wynnstay Hunt. They turned up with cars and drone and spoke with support vehicles and quads and, we understand, Lord Daresbury too. (This is in marked contrast as to how the police handled the recent Mendip Farmers Hunt which met at the home of Mr Rees-Mogg.) The hunt managed half an hour of hunting before they left the area in peace. This may be the first time a hunt has been thwarted purely by police intervention, and with no participating role from sabs or monitors.
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Convictions, prosecutions and investigations

On 05/09/20 Chris Mardles, the whipper-in with the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt, rode down a sab leaving them with a collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken collarbone and a shattered shoulder blade. Mr Mardles was charged with section 18, Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). He denied any guilt until his court case this morning (Tuesday 14/03/23) when he changed his plea to guilty. Sentencing will occur on 25/04/23.
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Sarah Bliss, huntswoman with the Cotswold Hunt, pleaded guilty to boarding dogs at her home address without a licence and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. A dog was neglected and subsequently died from heat stroke. She was fined £2000.
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Stewart Masters, a member of the South Dorset Hunt, attended court on 15th March 2023 where he was found guilty of careless driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident. Sentencing will be carried out next month. On 12^th Feb 2022, he deliberately ran into a sab from Weymouth Animal Rights with his vehicle.
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Three men are due to appear in court in connection with an allegation of illegal fox hunting in North Dorset. It follows an investigation by Dorset Police Rural Crime Team into an incident involving the Portman Hunt on Thursday 15 September 2022. Tom Lyle, Marcus Boundy and Mark Pearson, all from the Blandford area, must appear in Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 7 June 2023 for an offence of hunting a wild mammal with dogs.

Hunt Behaviour

Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that two quads, probably from a hunt, collided on 4^th March. Drink-driving may have been the cause. Terriers were retrieved from one vehicle before the drivers and passengers fled the scene. The police retrieved both of the vehicles, which were overturned on a road. An investigation has begun.
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On 4^th March, the Burton Hunt  (Lincs) lost control of their hounds and they ran straight onto the busy A46 road.
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On 4^th March, members of the Ashford Valley Tickham Hunt smashed the windows of West Kent Hunt Sabs’ vehicle.
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Phillip Hague is a member of the BHSA (formerly the Hunting Office), the board that issued advice that terriers work should not occur until a review had taken place. Mr Hague was present at a joint meet of the Vale of White Horse Hunt and the Cotswold Hunt, and they were using quads with terriers. BSHA board members do not follow their own advice.
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MOD have clear rules concerning dogs on Defence Estate land. The rules, there to protect ground nesting birds, are regularly ignored by the Royal Artillery Hunt. Ben Wallace (Minister of Defence) facilitates the RA’s use of the Defence Estate. He had hoped that the RA could continue to do whatever they liked on MOD land, (once he’d seen off the League Against Cruel Sports and their pesky Memorandum of Understanding), but Wiltshire Hunt Sabs were there and witnessed this selfish and rule-breaking behaviour anyway.
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Rees-Mogg

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg hosted the Mendip Farmers Hunt along with the transferees (Ben Pethers and Stuart Radbourne) from the Avon Vale Hunt at his home (Gournay Court) in West Harptree. There is a photograph of one of his children out with the hunt. When questioned about it by a consituent, Mr Rees-Mogg advised that it’s best not to challenge hunts in case we make things worse. What he meant by that is a complete mystery.
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Sab Successes

New Sab Group
There is a new group affiliated to the HSA. It is the Salisbury Plain Hunt Sabs. Welcome to the fold.
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Sabs got wind of the fact that the Ilminster Beagles had organised a week long hare coursing festival. The festival did not run as smoothly as the organisers hoped. Need we say more!
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Northants Hunt Sabs report that at the end of the day, the East Essex Hunt laid what was probably a genuine trail. The hunt had hoped that the sabs would stop the hounds, and then they could claim aggravated trespass. However, the ruse was spotted and the plan failed.
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West Cornwall Hunt sabs continue to post their hilarious Sh*t Reports. After their fine, the Western Hunt are being forced to clear up after their hounds. On 4^th March, hounds repeatedly relieved themselves along the same stretch of road, and twice, the huntswoman had to get off her horse and deploy a poo bag. with the sabs watching and laughing from their vehicle. Sadly, she ran out of poo bags, and when the hounds once again obliged, the hunts woman used her hands and a very large carrier bag.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any errors, or would like to add anything, please contact Pip on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org.
To see all earlier editions of Latest News, please click here.
To see a round-up of all Prosecutions, Convictions, Investigations and Bans, click here.

 

 

 

Latest News March 4th 2023
5.23

Hunt Behaviour

On Saturday (18 Feb), North Staffordshire Hunt riders spilled unexpectedly onto a road a collision occurred between a car and a horse with rider. It would appear that the hunt removed themselves from the scene as quickly as possible leaving a rider lying in the road. The car was quite badly damaged, and the driver was shaken although otherwise “ok”.  We believe that both horse and rider were injured. The police and ambulance were quick to attend. (Staffordshire Hunt Sabs and Manchester Hunt Sabs covered the incident.) This incident is relevant for AAF’s Hunt Road Chaos campaign.
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Previous hunt accidents have also involved children.On 04/04/16, nine year old Bonnie Armitage was fatally injured when she was kicked by another horse whilst out with the Cotswold Hunt.
On 18/11/21, the two year old daughter of the master of the Bedale Hunt, Felicity Francis, died after falling from her pony whilst out with the hunt.
On 26/12/22, a 12 year old girl broke her leg whilst out with the Mendip Farmers Hunt for their Boxing Day meet at Priddy Green.
The hunts don’t seem to care about the risks with their children. Let’s hope the most recent accident puts children off hunting for ever.
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As you know, dogs from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a mine shaft on White Alice Farm, Cornwall, and had to be rescued. It turns out that the hunt did not have permission to be on the farm, so they were trespassing. Trespass is a clear indication of illegal foxhunting – hunts cannot expect us to believe they have laid a trail on someone else’s land.
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Fitzwilliam Hunt supporters attacked the vehicle belonging to Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. An attempt to slash the tyres was made, but the knife was dropped, and windscreen wipers were damaged. Being able to hear the attack, the 999 controller advised the driver to do what was necessary to get out of the situation. Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs Facebook page names those involved.

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You may recall that the Avon Vale Hunt was videoed releasing dug out foxes to their hounds resulting in them being suspended by the British Hound Sports Association (revamped version of the Hunting Office). Drone footage taken by sabs of the Avon Vale Kennels, reveals dead hounds on the concrete floor and in an uncovered skip. Biosecurity appears non-existent. Trading standards has been informed in the past but there has been no improvement. Bath Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the footage.
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Mike Smith, senior master at the Avon Vale has also been permanently excluded by the British Hound Sports Association. He did not feature in the video, but the BHSA has decided he has to go as he was presiding over the illegal and cruel behaviour of the hunt. Of course, we don’t trust the motives of the BHSA as we know that what they are trying to do is preserve their “sport” as opposed to cleaning it up. 

On Saturday 25th Feb, two dogs from the Cheshire Hunt were struck by cars. The police appeared to advise them that they had dogs dangerously out of control and sent them packing (possibly with a dispersal notice). As they hacked back to their meet they took the opportunity to hunt yet another fox which sabs saw to safety.
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On 28/02/23  Three Counties Hunt Sabs reported two slashed  tyres, whilst sabbing the Heythrop Hunt and North Cotswolds Hunt.
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On 28/02/23 sabs from  Manchester and Staffordshire experienced an attack on one of their numbers, perpetrated by the Huntsman of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt. The ‘provocation’ for the attack, if you can call it that, was they had obtained video footage of an injured hound with blood on it. Paul Larby’s assault on the sab and the breaking of a camera was recorded on several sab cameras and an investigation is thought to have been opened.  Staffordshire Police attended, but then the West Mercia Police also arrived.
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Police

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmer’s Hunt. This CPW is the direct result of a number of groups’ contributions: North London Hunt Sabs, Suffolk and East Essex Hunt Sabs, East Herts Sabs, Herts Wildlife Monitors, not to mention the members of the public who also provided the background evidence so the police could take action. 

East Essex Hunt supporters were ‘put in their place’ by a rebuke from the police who advised them not to block a public road.
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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs’ report on the Cottesmore Hunt from Saturday has some interesting remarks in it. Police witnessed a fox being chased and sabs “remain hopeful that Leicestershire Police in general will deal with this matter in a firmer manner. They (the hunt) are now so out of control that even when approached by police they just shrug and carry on regardless. They have shown recently they have no respect for animals, (wildlife or their own,) the safety of other people, and no respect for the police.”
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Cumbria Hunt Sabs thanked the police for attending the Blencathra Fox Hounds who met on Sunday the 19th.
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Wiltshire Police have claimed, in a convoluted sort of a way, that it is fine for their officers to be associated with an organisation known for criminal activity. They have more than one officer that goes out hunting and they do not see a conflict of interest, nor do they see that it contradicts the oath they took when they assumed office. These officers, and other senior officers, fail to understand that the public should expect all police officers to be “squeaky clean” at all times, including in their private lives. Cheryl Knight, an officer in the Rural Crime Team, is a hunter and connected with the criminal Avon Vale Hunt.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have organised a petition and a demo asking for this officer to be removed from the Rural Crime Team. The demonstration is planned for the 5th of March outside the Devizes Police Headquarters at 13.00. Here is the petition:

https://chng.it/XJJcWgjsbq
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Wiltshire Police continue to make things worse and worse. Their latest unnecessary FB post told us that they are seeking “independent advice” about how to deal with the proposed demo on 5th March, thereby implying that somehow “sabs” are the most violent sort of people. They appear to be fanning the flames. Is this deliberate? Would they like to see some unrest so that they can justify their biased attitude towards anti-hunting activists?
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Wiltshire Police deserve their own dedicated news bulletin, they feature so often in reports. BBC news reports that a former Police Inspector with the Wiltshire police (Ian Stevenson) has pleaded guilty to possessing extreme images involving bestiality. The force is in Special Measures.
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Cheshire Police seem to be one of the few bright spots in the policing of hunts. After a particularly bad hunting day (Ladies Day, Mon 13th) when the Cheshire Hounds seem to antagonise most of the countryside, by trespassing or badly frightening pregnant ewes, and horses, and cows, and treating farmers and landowners with contempt, Cheshire Police took some positive action. On Saturday (18th) they turned up with the intention of catching the hunts red-handed, or at least imposing some discipline upon them. They had officers with three cars, a drone, and most remarkably, two scrambling bikes which moved across the countryside with speed. The drone may even have recorded an active dig out. We are not privy to what the police gleaned from this operation, but it was undoubtedly a significant event.
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West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that the West Midlands Hunt abandoned their day of hunting after another quad bike was stopped, this time by an unmarked police car. (The police had  also stopped a quad bike on 13/02/23).
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Investigations and Prosecutions

The personal CCTV covering a Norfolk couple’s back garden revealed the West Norfolk Fox Hounds at large and out of control. They had killed a fox there and the actual kill is recorded on the video. Norfolk Police have arrested three men. Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report, “We believe the men in custody to be Huntsman Mikey Bell, Whipper-in Adam Egginton, and Hunt Master Andrew Kendall. All three men are also under investigation for assault and robbery on one of our female sabs back in October.”

We now know their bail conditions:-
Not to take part in trail hunting activities.
Not to contact or interfere with witnesses.
Not to be in a public place in charge of a dog not on a lead.
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Norfolk Police booked two hunt supporters as they left the Waveny Hunt. One female was booked because she was using her mobile phone whilst driving. At least the police are now more willing to act against hunts and their lawlessness.
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The Times carried an article on Friday 17/02/23 stating that the Wynnstay Hunt was under investigation for illegal blocking of a badger sett. The headline ran, “Hunt run by friend of King Charles…”. The Times have video of the actual interference with the badger sett and the persons involved.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Hunt Master, George, of the Mendip Farmers Hunt using a whip on a hound.  The RSPCA are now investigating.
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Protect the Wild reports that Ryan Thomas Spence who had been convicted of hare coursing, appealed his sentence, and by so doing had the sentence increased. The sixth month driving ban, which was issued alongside his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and £1000 fine, was increased to 2 years beginning from the date of his appeal.
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Perhaps one of the significant developments that has occurred concerning foxhunting is the fact that the above incident was reported on ITV News. Both the BBC and ITV are more willing to report on foxhunting issues, although the ITV appears to be far ahead of the BBC in its willingness.

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Charles Carter and Guy Loader from the Royal Artillery Hunt were issued with Official Warning in accordance with Salisbury Plain Military Byelaws 1981 Sect 4 para 1&2 for deer chase 22 October 2022. Next time expect prosecution, their solicitor being kept busy.

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Mass Sab

On 22/02/23 four of the West Country Hunts had a joint meeting which attracted a mass sab. At least 12 different sab groups were involved. Although this was a joint meet by four hunts, the field only amounted to 30 or so riders. Worse from the hunt’s point of view, there were locals objecting to them

Campaigns

A long-haul Boxing Day campaign by AAF Somerset culminated in a show-down at the full public meeting of Somerset County Council on 22 February. Alyson Rogers, Somerset Coordinator, joined Pip Donovan to speak at the meeting. Alyson’s powerful speech, in which she described how she was intimidated, imprisoned and threatened by followers of the Cotley Hunt during their Boxing Day Meet in Chard was picked up by the local press.
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It turns out that practically every county has a Public Space Protection Order making it an offence for an owner to fail to pick up dog faeces – and nearly every one of them has no exemption for hounds. AAF is expecting a large number of hunts to either be fined for offences, or have to get off their horses and (just like everyone else) deploy a poo bag. For more information, click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

 

Opinion

One of the more egregious statements contained in the review of North Wales policing came from one of their eight officers who gave evidence. He clearly showed his bias towards hunts with the statement that it was normally sabs that initiated violence. How would he know? The police are never there when violence kicks off, and if they were, it probably would not kick off in the first place. In making a statement like that, he chose to be loyal to the hunt and not to his own force, who are trying to improve their practices. That to one side, there is a revealing remark in the North Wales Hunt Sabs report on the Flint And Denbigh Hunt (18th Feb). “One supporter then walked over to the vehicle and struck the sab in the face through the open window. Fortunately for the attacker this is just the type of behaviour that the North Wales police tolerate… well from the hunt anyway“.  There has to be a significant change in attitude from the police in North Wales if they want to improve their relationship with animal welfare activists.
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It might be worth reminding ourselves how the Norfolk Police were just a year ago.

Norfolk/Suffolk HS report on the West Norfolk Fox Hounds for 07/02/22:

“… A further three 999 calls were made, each time the call handler told the sab that they were trying to get to them but each time no one came.“

Further down the same report, “A further 999 call was made but this time the Sab was treated like a nuisance, told that the police had already been and that this incident had been dealt with and then hung up on the desperate Sab as the hounds continued to chase a fox in front of her.“

“At approximately 4 pm the hunt headed in the direction of the meet just as a police car appeared at the meet also. Police appeared to have a nice friendly chat with the hunters who had by now enjoyed a full five hours of hunting and chasing Mammals with hounds, contrary to the hunting act.”

This following link to an article on the Avon Vale Hunt and Wiltshire Police is an eye opener.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/good-riddance-to-the-avon-vale-hunt/?fbclid=IwAR0sFPiSifTljPUrLmacnBf11faVV0AzF1rAJFq776Sw-t0mYi0vspqBZ_E&h=AT03AQjD6mNi4x2XfN9jfs_rsT1Lzj4HF_FP73v1vhtNlDhuFE8vyRpSEw6Pw8YadPrWy9AZLKznNIFZlNQRthvltx-ty1UBjsdQDduXbJKJqldh8BpBEEjL8_gClXpz5k0neJRYeL1MG6o&s=1

 

Latest News 18th Feb 2023
4.23

Investigations & prosecutions

On Wed 8^th Feb, ITV released footage of the Avon Vale Hunt (AVH) digging out two foxes and releasing them in front of hounds. (This is the same hunt that attacked a sab last March causing a bleed on the brain.) On Friday, three members of the hunt were arrested. Yesterday, Tuesday 14/02/23, a further two people (a man and a woman) both aged 25, were arrested and subsequently released pending further investigation.
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Myles O’Connor of the Scottish Buccleuch Hunt was due in court on 14/02/23 due to illegal hunting. We all hope the hunt will not survive the change in Scottish law.
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Cottesmore huntsman, Sam Jones, was videoed jumping a gateway and landing on a sab. He has now been arrested by Leicestershire Police. (The shocking video can be seen on the Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs Facebook page as well as the BBC news website.)
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Georgina Price of the Royal Artillery Hunt has accepted a police caution for having used her horse in an attempt to ride down two Sabs. This is the hunt that uses MOD land on Salisbury Plain and the one that Ben Wallace MP supports. The offence occurred on 05/11/22.  Surrey Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the video.
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A hunt supporter from the Beaufort Hunt was fined by Gloucester Police for “disorder” on 21st November 2022. He drove erratically and threatened a sab. Police concluded the investigation and informed sabs on 14th Feb 2023.
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Police

Warwickshire Police who issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Public Control Notice (PCN), pulled over another of the hunt’s quads again this week. The landowning rider of the quad had two terrier dogs with him.
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Chief Superintendent Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Force is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for hunting. In an article in The Times on 13th Feb, he publicly praised Wiltshire Hunt Sabs for the work they’ve been doing and for helping to deal with the Avon Vale Hunt and its dig out of foxes to be released to hounds. Chief Superintendent Longman wants: “police forces to work with the “volunteers” who monitor hunts so they [the volunteers] could learn how to provide the kind of evidence, such as unedited and time-stamped footage, that could lead to successful prosecutions.” Mr Longman also revealed there had been a sea change in the way that police understand hunting across England and Wales, (particularly as a result of the successful prosecution of Mark Hankinson). We also learned that ”Two police forces in England and Wales are now treating hunts operating in their areas as Organised Crime Groups.“  The change is due, in part to a number of high-ranking police officers having the courage to challenge the general police ethos – that hunts tell the truth and animal welfare volunteers are just trouble makers.
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Cast your mind back to Lacock on Boxing Day 2021. Laura Hughes, a serving Wiltshire Police Officer and member of the Avon Vale Hunt, was one of three officers who failed to keep the peace at the demonstration. Officer Hughes made things a great deal worse by yelling in the face of protesters and, later on, Wiltshire Police denied that her presence was inflammatory. Are Wiltshire Police planning on rethinking that conclusion, now we all know that AVH have been caught hunting illegally?
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Nottinghamshire Hunt Sabs have a special comment in their report from 02/02/23 on their sab of the Burton Hunt. “Special mention to the truly (expletive deleted) useless pair from Lincolnshire Police who timed their arrival perfectly to miss all the illegal hunting and still give sabs a hard time.” There is a lot of bitterness towards the police this year. Is this because some forces are changing their attitude towards illegal hunting and sab groups feel that all forces should be changing?
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Hunts are finding that not all police can be relied on to dance to the hunt’s tune. East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt called the police because they were being followed from the kennels and were claiming harassment. When the police arrived, the sabs pointed out that the brake lights on the hound trailer were not working and the numberplate on the trailer did not match the towing vehicle. The police ignored the harassment complaint, but advised the driver of the hound van that he was not legal to continue. A little later,  hounds from this hunt were seen chasing a fox across Barkway Golf Course. The huntsman was nowhere in sight, so sabs tried to round them up in case they were hit by a golf ball.  
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South Coast Hunt Sabs report that the Sussex Police delayed them while they did a vehicle check. Since sab vehicles are regularly targeted by the police the vehicles are always completely above board. If police were also seen to check hunt vehicles, this would not be such a bone of contention – but it is rare for any sab group to report this happening.
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After a generally held view that the Cheshire police were improving, last Saturday a kennel watcher was delayed by a Police Sergeant at the entrance to the Cheshire Forest Hunt kennels and when questioned about the timing of his tactics, he did not deny that it was intended to let the hunt out. As the public are becoming more aware of the criminality of hunts particularly in the last few weeks, it might be advisable for the police to make sure they have a consistent policy that is defendable. Appearing to help criminality is unacceptable.

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Hunt behaviour

The Hunting Office (HO) now renamed the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is thought to have been in possession of the AVH  footage for several weeks and it is reported that the event occurred on 20/12/22. The BHSA advised hunts not to take terriers out this weekend. This advice was widely ignored by hunts. The BHSA, in a desire to appear authoritative and in control dismissed the AVH from their organisation. They feigned shock at the appalling conduct of the hunt but have taken no action against Mr Ollie Finnegan who has very recently pleaded guilty to illegal foxhunting and is now with the Cheshire Hounds.
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Last week we heard about the demise of the Fife Fox Hounds. This week we can report that there is an advertisement inviting a professional or amateur to apply for the role of Huntsman to the Fife Bloodhounds. It looks as though Fife is to get a new bloodhound pack.
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Rumour Control has it that the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt will fold at the end of this season. It has yet to be confirmed.
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The Essex Farmers Hunt, tried to use speed to get away from the North London Sabs. The sabs described it saying,  “it was more like sabotaging a steeple chase!” This hunt was minus its terrier men – were they (unlike many other hunts) actually doing what their governing body advised and not engaging in terrier work?

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Bristol Hunt Sabs report that the Berkeley Hunt hunted through a deer park on Saturday 11^th Feb, where all dogs are supposed to be on leads.

At the end of the hunting day on 1st Feb, the Huntsman from the Weston and Banwell Hunt reversed his hound trailer into the sab vehicle damaging the bumper. He refused to provide insurance details and the dash cam footage has been forwarded to the police.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs had tyres slashed while out with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds on the 11/02/23. They had already seen death of a hunted fox. Levels of violence are expected to increase in Scotland for the last few weeks of this season, as the change in the law might well finish off some of the Scottish hunts. Since police often say they are not there to stop hunting but to make sure there is no breach of the peace, we hope the Scottish Police are sufficiently on the ball to recognise that violence perpetrated towards sabs is likely to be at an all-time high. It is thought their huntsman, Fraser Campbell is going down to Cheshire for next season.
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On 1st February, Three Counties Hunt Sabs report on the Worcestershire Hunt tells us that a sab ”was held up looking after a disabled gentleman at the church who said he had been assaulted by the terriermen, who had punched him to the floor and stolen his walking stick. Our sab called West Mercia Police and paramedics, and he was taken to hospital with a really swollen face to be checked over from potential fractures to his neck, eye socket, cheek, jaw, and probably other parts of his body.”
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On 7^th Feb, hounds from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a disused mine shaft near Porkellis, Cornwall, whilst the hunt was out hunting foxes in the area. It’s believed three hounds fell in, but sabs noted that the hunt (who continued their activities despite the accident) had far fewer hounds than usual, so they suspected the number of hounds in the mine was greater than they made out. The hounds were all rescued overnight.
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On 4th February, The Bicester Hunt invaded an alpaca farm and terrified pregnant females.  The owner was furious and expected an apology from the hunt. But as none was forthcoming, he phoned the hunt master and interrupted his dinner to ask what exactly he and his hounds were playing at trespassing on his land.

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Public Outrage

Is the hunts’ grip on the countryside is slipping? Last Monday (13th) the sabs in Cheshire encountered a farmer who was so angry with the Cheshire Hunt that he seized his shotgun and discharged two shots into the air to warn the hunt and hounds to get off his land. This was in addition to a number of furious sheep farmers, a horse-owner trying to ensure the pack didn’t encroach on their farm and another farmer who was quietly helpful. The Countryside Alliance claims to represent all rural people. However, it only represents those who are pro-foxhunting. It does not represent rural people who object to fox hunting, and these people are in the majority, as indicated by AAF’s  Rural Survey from 2022.
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Mike Hill

This week saw the 32nd anniversary of the death of Mike Hill. He died under the back wheels of a trailer driven by a hunt member who was careering wildly down the road trying to throw the sabs out of the trailer. The police weren’t interested and the driver is still engaged in hunting activities.
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Chief Vet is a hunter

Liz Gorse is the Chief Vet for the British Hounds Sports Association and she hunts with the Cheshire Forest. In 2020 her son was convicted and was “banned from caring, breeding and farming animals for the next 10 years“. 8 Cows, 3 calves and 2 sheep were found dead and decomposing on the farm. Liz Gorse the owner of the farm.

actually, People don’t hate foxes

Students from the Royal Agricultural University seriously misjudged the opinion of the majority when they thought it would be a good idea to strap a dead fox to the roof of their car for a charity rally. Like those who fox hunt, they believe that foxes deserve to be treated cruelly and justify it by calling them “pests”. However, the delusional students failed to anticipate the public backlash. They are now waiting for disciplinary action by the University.   

Campaigns

AAF have launched two new “Catch them at it and Report it” campaigns – Hound Faeces and Road Chaos. In public areas, hunts should pick up after their hounds, but generally, they don’t bother. This includes grass verges on country lanes. If they do not – and they are reported – they should be fined.

Also, hunts cannot take risks with their own safety or the safety of others on  roads.  Again, report them. All information you need can be found on these links:

Hunt Road Chaos Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-reporting-it-to-the-health-and-safety-executive/

Hound Faeces Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

Landowners

Do you know of a landowner who allows hunting on their land? If the prosecution of the land-owning Drewetts is successful, all landowners should think twice before allowing the hunt on their land. Download this letter, print it and send it to the landowners.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Letter-to-Landowner-Oct-22.pdf

 

 

Latest News 4th Feb 2023
3.23

BAD NEWS FOR HUNTS

The Airedale Beagles pack has folded. They had been hunting hares since 1891 and this was one of the oldest beagle packs in the country.
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Fife Fox Hounds Hunt has come to an end. This was a 200 year old hunt, finished (we believe) because of the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
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On 24/01/23, the Scottish Government voted to pass the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It doesn’t look water tight, but nonetheless it is seen as a big improvement. Trail hunting is included in the ban. Banning trail hunting in Scotland is a pre-emptive move. The new bill has removed the Scottish hunts’ means of getting around the existing Scottish legislation, which was different from the English legislation.  The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 allows hunts to use a whole pack of dogs to “flush a fox to guns”, meaning the hunts could effectively hunt as they always had. On the other hand, English law limits the number of dogs used to “flush a fox” to two, meaning the hunts had to find another “legal” way of continuing to hunt with a full pack – hence the invention of “trail hunting” which (they claimed) only mimicked real hunting. Fully aware that trail hunting is a smokescreen for fox hunting, the Scottish Government has wisely prevented it from starting.

*******

INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Further details have emerged about the police raid on 18/01/23. Six men were  arrested and 22 dogs seized in a police operation involving Kent, Norfolk, Sussex, and Thames Valley police, and the RSPCA.  The Guardian reports, “it is understood that they were suspected of acting as terrier men, preventing foxes going to ground so the mammals can be caught by dogs.” Evidence from their phones could be crucial.
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Mark Harris, terrier man for the Spooners and West Dartford Hunt, has been found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992). He caused a terrier to enter a protected sett. He said he was instructed to flush and kill the fox by the huntsman Guy Morlock. Mr Harris was ordered to pay a fine of £1000, a victim surcharge of £100 and Crown costs of £900.
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A few weeks ago, the CPS dropped a case against a hunt supporter for attacking a sab, causing a brain bleed. The victim has asked the CPS for a review and this has been accepted.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

North London Hunt Sabs Facebook page show a very brief video of the quad bike assault on their sab. The hunt involved is the East Essex Hunt. The date of the incident was 14/01/23. Police are taking the incident very seriously and are investigating.
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On Sunday 29^th January, Weymouth Animal Rights and AAF met in Milborne Saint Andrew to protest outside the South Dorset Hunt’s Point to Point event. After the hound display, protesters noticed that one dog had been left behind and was running about alone. Hunt staff took no action. The frightened dog struggled through a hedge and out into the road, running in front of cars, queueing to enter the event. While none of those attending the event showed any concern, protesters immediately went to help the dog. Eventually, a member of the hunt came out and approached the dog, who cowered when he grabbed her.
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The Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt turned up at Bellever Forestry Commission car park, probably hoping to trespass on FC land, from which they are banned. However, they found sabs (Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs) already there, so they moved on.

*******

POLICE

North Wales Police accepted assurances from the Flint and Denbigh that they were not going out hunting on 21/01/23, but once they thought the coast was clear the F and D went out hunting in the afternoon. The sabs were on to it very quickly, not so the police.
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On Saturday (28/01/23) the Wynnstay pursued a fox. The Cheshire Monitors hit report states, “… but we were very grateful to locals for joining in to stop them and the police officers standing guard over a fox they’d seen running for its life!”
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Cheshire monitors report for the Wynnstay Hunt on the 29th of January includes the paragraph, “the police that attended all day were good this week and we were really pleased with their input. It’s a shame it can’t always be like that.“
*******

sabs

On Saturday 21/01/23 there was a “mass sab” of the South Dorset Hunt, with perhaps as many as 18 different  groups being involved. The mass sab was to indicate support for the local groups who had had a lone monitor beaten with metal bar.  During the day, another sab was run down by a terrier man on a quad. Sabs have also endured violence and intimidation and had 17-19 tyres slashed in one short period. Dorset Police have a sergeant that goes fox hunting.
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The Severn Vale Beagles was successfully sabbed by the Severn Vale Hunt Sabs. All the beagle packs are vulnerable to sabbing, and this one, too, is feeling pressure. Beagle packs hunt hares and the hunt are on foot.
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The independent review of the North Wales Constabulary policing of  hunts was published on 12/01/23. The Countryside Alliance then published a number of articles focusing on  parts of the report that appeared to discredit saboteurs. However, Protect the Wild has also reviewed the report and their conclusion is the police should just do their job properly.
*******

CAMPAIGNS

AAF (Action Against Foxhunting) have examined 2022 Boxing Day and New Year’s Day town meets and catalogued the results. Given the number of hunts involved this was a mammoth task. They also offer to assist anyone who wants to see their local hunt ousted from their town. They have developed expertise which they are happy to share. The link lets you view their opus, and is an easy read summary.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meet-2022-roundup/
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AAF is also stepping up their campaign to challenge the hunts abuse of roads, where they are always causing obstructions and chaos. Further advice can be found here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-and-healthsafety/

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

To see all previous issues, click here: https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/headlines/

 

Latest news 20th January 23

2/23

Prosecutions

Gamekeeper Paul Scott Allen admitted guilt in Weymouth Magistrates Court. Sentencing is due on 16/02/23. The offences occurred over a period of time. Allen pleaded guilty to seven charges – two of possession of six dead buzzards, and the remains of three more; three charges of keeping banned pesticides and two charges of failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and firearms certificates. 
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On 06/01/23, the trial of Shaun Parish, 33, and Jacob Whalley, 30, of Milton Park in Peterborough was postponed as a witness was unable to attend. It will take place on May 11 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. The men, from the Fitzwilliam Hunt are charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs on March 5^th last year.
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Hartley Crouch, Whipper-in for the Pytchley Hunt, has been successfully prosecuted by Northamptonshire Police. He stole a pet sheep, killed it, skinned it, and fed it to the hounds. The charge was theft. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £775 in costs £150 in compensation and a surcharge of £22.
Late news: Mr Crouch was sacked by the Pytchley and then was going to go to the Beauvoir Hunt. They dropped him, but he is now a whipper-in with the Cottesmore Hunt.
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Andrew Pope, a long time follower of the Weston & Banwell Hunt, admitted guilt to the police and was given a conditional caution. On 21 Dec 21, he tailgated a sab vehicle, and used a thick heavy stick to hit the vehicle windows. The windows stayed intact, but Pope forced his way into the back of the vehicle and started to attack the sabs with the stick. One sab from WAR sustained heavy bruising to their knee and side of their body. This aggressive outburst was witnessed by Pope’s young child. Pope agreed to write a letter of apology to the injured sab. If he repeats this behaviour, he will go straight to court.

******

Corruption

After Ben Wallace MP and Minister of Defence, decided to terminate the arrangement allowing the League Against Cruel Sports to monitor the Royal Artillery Hunt on Salisbury Plain, the Quorn took it upon themselves to hunt on a military base. The land in question is at the Defence Animal Training Centre in Melton Mowbray. Objections to the hunts’ use of MOD land are ongoing, but those who a manage the land (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) refuse to make any changes.

********

Police

On 18/01/23, together with the RSPCA, police raided the home of a terrier man from the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The hunt killed a fox on Saturday 14^th Jan, and assaulted sabs.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Eggesford Hunt making a kill on New Year’s Day. Devonshire police did attend the meet, but they didn’t stay to watch any of the actual hunting. In contrast, on 04/01/23 Cheshire police officers left their cars and proceeded on foot across fields in pursuit of the Cheshire Hounds.
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In September last year, Leicestershire Police had a zoom meeting where various anti hunt persons  (including AAF) were invited to attend. The two officers representing Leicestershire Police were genuine and they want to work more closely with anti-hunting groups. However, Northants Hunt Sabs report that on 7^th January while sabbing the Cottesmore Hunt, the sab vehicle was delayed by an Leicestershire police officer who insisted on checking Insurance validation and driver details.

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On 08/01/23, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report for that Wiltshire Police were “hobnobbing” with a shooting party  but performed no vehicle checks. However the numberplate WV** AFY was out with the shoot and its MOT expired 22/12/22. 
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On 10/01/23, Will Goffe from the Warwickshire Hunt, (the hunt with the Community Protection Notice), spent 30 minutes hiding in a quarry with the hounds whilst Warwickshire Police were in the vicinity.
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On 07/01/23, Sheffield Hunt Sabs posted a video of sabs confronting the man with a knife who had just slashed their tyres. The attacker was arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, something that probably would not have occurred without the temerity and presence of mind of the Sheffield Sabs.
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An independent review of the policing of hunts in North Wales has been published. It was commissioned by the PCC for North Wales Police and it is probably most intended for his reading although no doubt others will be pouring over it.
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On 30/09/22, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull’s car was surrounded by aggressive men and one man attempted to gain entry. He damaged the vehicle while making threats of violence. The group provided statements and video evidence to the police. Part of the police response reads, “after reviewing all the evidence my sergeant has made the decision to take no further action regarding this incident due to evidential reasons.” Previously, Wiltshire Police refused to take action against the hunt member who threw a sab into a ditch resulting in a bleed on the brain.
*******

Hunt Behaviour and violence

On 14/01/23, West Kent Hunt Hunt Sabs filmed Matthew Vater, the huntsman with the East Kent Hunt with West Street, repeatedly riding at a sab. He later knocked one female sab into the air with his horse. They also killed a fox in front of sabs.
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On 07/02/1/23 female members of Cumbria Hunt Sabs were threatened and then attacked by members of North Cumberland Foxhounds.
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On 14/01/23, Cheshire Hounds held a three way joint meet with the Tynedale Hunt and the North Staffordshire Hunt. A hunt member threatened to break both the arms of a sab and also those of an independent monitor. The threat is recorded and the police have the information.
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The Wynnstay Hunt made it into the national press with the Mirror showing the video clip of the huntsman charging his horse at the Cheshire monitor’s runner and half screaming “I’ll kill you.” The incident happened on 7^th January.

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On 07/01/23, Cheshire Against Bloodsports report that Cheshire Hounds appeared to cause the death of a pregnant ewe. They are very complementary about the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, who actually took details of the huntsman from the huntsman.
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On 14/01/23, another sheep died after the Grafton Hunt went through a field full of pregnant ewes. The farmer said “The sheep were now mixed with a neighbour’s flock and one was dead in the river”. Police are investigating.
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On 14/01/23,, the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hunted on MOD land.  A local resident reported the killing of a fox but the hunt have denied it.

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On 10/01/23, Sheffield Sabs were again attacked, and the video evidence is extensive. The attacker continued whilst being filmed by various cameras. At that same meet of the Grove and Rufford, hounds trespassed and ran along an active railway line not long before a train passed. Again there is video evidence of the trespass.

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On 14/01/23, West Sussex Hunt Sabs had a rough time. The vehicle was blocked by a dairy stockman and then driven into from the side by a woman from the farm, using a low loader – a bailer with forks attached. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. The report does not say how well covered this incident is with video but the police appear to have been informed.

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The South Dorset Hunt are suspected of a number of violent and unpleasant incidents. On 14/01/23, a member of Weymouth Animal Rights found two dead foxes in her back garden. Both animals had met violent deaths. On the same day, a monitor watching the South Dorset Hunt was hit in the back by a projectile – possibly a ball bearing fired from a catapult. The monitor was seriously bruised. Police were called and spoke to convicted hunt master, Mark Pearson. A police firearms team arrived. WAR report that “unbelievably they (the police) did not search the suspects or even pull them over”.
Additionally, North Dorset Hunt Sabs had another vehicle tyre incident. The report reads “after the hunt had finished a sab was driven to collect her car and on arrival was informed by a resident that a masked, hooded quad person had started letting down the tyres. He was prevented from completing the task when a police officer appeared who was about to leave for duty.
A couple of weeks ago, the South Dorset Hunt were suspected of slashing of 17-19 tyres belonging to animal welfare persons. They are also suspected of assaulting a monitor with a metal bar.
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On 14/01/23, a Land Rover from the Worcester Hunt drove at foot sabs from the Herefordshire Hunt Sabs. The sab vehicle was also attacked.
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On 14/01/23, The Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed terrier men netting the exit of an artificial earth and preparing to put a terrier down another entrance. The sab group was  pleased with a police response, saying: “Gloucestershire Police attended promptly, efficiently, and the matter is being dealt with.”
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On 14/01/23, Mendip Farmers Hunt hunted through Chew Valley Animal Park. The owner described how hounds were in cry and jumping into animal pens with terrified goats and camels and traumatising other resident animals. There is CCTV evidence of the trespass. The Mendip Farmers Hunt continued, trespassing on more private land upsetting the landowners horses.

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Other News

On 14/01/23, West Cornwall Hunt Sabs found something else to do after turning up at the Western Hunt meet and finding nothing going on. They tell us: “We spotted this little dude (a bird) sat in the middle of the road about to get squished! He was all hunched and soaked in a puddle. Never flinched when we scooped him up. We have a fantastic bird rehabber on the team. Luckily, it looks like he had just got a bit cold and wet. With a check over and dried off under a heat lamp he was fit to fly free again.”

 

Check that you’ve signed this petition:
https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Latest News  7 January 2023

1/23

Coming Soon

“Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Meets” – Special edition of Latest News  coming soon. If you went to a meet, please tell AAF about it here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/data-collection-boxing-day-2022-and-new-years-day-meets-2023/

 

POLICE

The Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. In May, they issued the Hunt with a warning notice about the antisocial use of the country road network but the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN. The Police statement reads:- “The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point.Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“

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This is a sentence from the East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs: –

“Every week they kill foxes, block us in, break the law, but when we call the police they very rarely attend, when the hunts call them full of lies and fabricated stories they turn up then harass.”

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The West Kent Hunt Sabs also understand about police harassment. On 17th December, police arrested a sab for standing outside the kennels and his offence was… harassment!

(The video of the incident leading to the arrest shows that the sab was arguing with the police, and this was too much for them to bear and so he was arrested for whatever came into their mind. In this case harassment.) Kent Police are being advised by an ex huntsman whose name is Mike Bax. There is now a petition asking for the removal of Mike Bax as an advisor to the Kent police. Additionally, the Kent Police Officer, Bethan Dumbarton-Scott, is in a relationship with the East Kent huntsman Matthew Vater.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-mike-bax-as-key-advisor-to-kent-police-on-rural-crime

Please sign it.

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Cast your mind back to 2016, and you might remember PC Claire Ford said she was off-duty but nonetheless took it upon herself to assist the Cheshire Hounds by removing sabs from the area they were hunting. She was driving around on a quad at the time.The police review said that she was preventing a breach of the peace. The police investigation whitewashed her offences but she was moved to routine policing in Congleton. To the best of our knowledge she did not go out again, supporting the hunt. PC Claire Ford (now, Claire Roberts) has now, not only been dismissed from the Cheshire Police Force but has incurred a suspended prison sentence (8 months suspended for 18 months), 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. She imparted information gleaned through the police to a private individual. The conduct was detected by Staffordshire Police, and Cheshire police did an audit of her use of the police computers. There are elements of the police force that would like to work closer with sabs, but the sabs will not work with them, they are not trusted. This case highlights how untrustworthy some police can be. You wouldn’t even need access to the police computers if you are a hunt sympathiser and in the police force. You could form your own WhatsApp group (like the Charing Cross police) and information can flow freely but undetected. And yet police forces throughout the country continue to accept police officers within their ranks who are clearly involved with hunts.

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Wiltshire Police learned from last year’s riot at the Avon Vale Hunt’s Boxing Day Meet in Lacock. Last year, an officer who rides with the hunt attended the meet, violence erupted and several hunt supporters were prosecuted and convicted. This year, officers were asked to step out if they had any association with a hunt. Police also booked some hunt supporters for illegal parking. If police really do want to improve relations with hunt sabs and monitors, they should follow Wiltshire’s lead, and at the very least, ask officers if they are associated with the hunt in any way before allowing them to attend calls relating to hunting activity.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 22/12/22 the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt were hosted at the Horsehill Farm Livery, the running of which is assisted by a serving Dorset police officer. The parents of the officer go out with the hunt. On 22 November, The BSV were videoed encouraging hounds to chase a fox out of its hiding place in a hollow tree. The video very clearly shows illegal hunting. However, to date, no Dorset officer has been assigned this case to investigate. We don’t believe this is a coincidence.

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North London Hunt Sabs report that last February the Puckeridge Hunt were able to co-opt the police force to the hunt’s benefit. Since then, the sabs have engaged with the Hertfordshire Police who have had some relevant training arranged and provided by the League Against Cruel Sports. This year the Puckeridge Hunt was not able to co-opt the police as their private security.
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On 29/12/22 supporters from The South Dorset Hunt got a bit uppity and drove dangerously at the sab Landy. The police were called. Two cars turned up within minutes. Dash cam footage is being forwarded to the police. The police, having been requested, remained for the rest of the day.
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The Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs page report for the 31/12/22 meet states,  “the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt were yesterday challenged by police officers from Essex Police Rural Engagement  Team. Weapons and phones were seized after a member of the public… was assaulted…by” members of the hunt.  If the Essex Police follow through with their investigations they will be held in high regard by much of the animal welfare community.

*****

Hunt Behaviour and Violence

Tue 19/12/22 –  Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) report that two supporters of the South Dorset Hunt attacked a hunt monitor with a metal bar. He had serious head injuries as well as injuries to his hands and body and he was robbed of his camera. Their Huntsman, Mark Pearson was found guilty of fox hunting on 19/10/22. The victim – a well-known, longstanding, deeply-respected monitor, received immense support from the rest of the Dorset anti-blood sports community, not to mention four very nice bottles of red wine from AAF.  Will Dorset Police take action?  (Last March the Wiltshire police had video evidence relating to an attack on a sab, which left him in a ditch with a bleed on the brain. After a delay of over six months the Wiltshire police then dropped the case.)-On Boxing Day, supporters from the same hunt (South Dorset) slashed 19 tyres on WAR’s vehicles. The hunt PR system got into action as by the following morning (27th Dec) the front page of the Telegraph had an anodyne 2 column inches (and further coverage about hunts on Page 6) asking members not to engage with sabs. The DT deprived their readership of information indicating how extensive and pre planned this vandalism was. Of the 19 tyres slashed, four occurred as the hunt set out from the meet, with non-hunt participants having their car surrounded and all four tyres slashed. This triggered a response from the Police Armed Response Unit as it involved knife crime. (Don’t all tyre slashing events involve knife crime)? Weymouth Animal Rights and North Dorset Hunt Sabs both got their vehicles retyred in record time and were on the scene for sabbing duties by 12 noon, much to the hunt’s chagrin, as they believed they had neutralised the sabs for their day’s hunt.

(Weymouth Animal Rights Facebook page gives a fuller account.)
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Two more tyres slashed courtesy of Grove and Rufford, and one courtesy of the Isle of Wight Hunt.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 21/12/22 they were escorting the Western and Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt back to their kennels when there was an attack on the sab vehicle. The assailant had swerved in front of them forcing them to stop, grabbed a hefty walking stick and then proceeded to attack the vehicle, open the back door and apparently attack the sabs as well. They have clear video footage of the incident which is being submitted to the police, who incidentally were in attendance very quickly.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs report the Boxing Day Meet of the Eggesford Hunt resulted in two violent events. The Huntsman Jason Marles struck a sab on the head with the handle of his riding crop. A supporter rammed a sab with a quad causing a leg injury.
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Sabs from various groups sabbed the Wynnstay and Cheshire Hounds this week. A terrier quad tried to reverse into a sab and then drove forward deliberately striking a sab on the arm. Police were called and did respond.
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The East Yorkshire Coast Sabs caught on camera a head-butting assault on one of their sabs. They will pass it to the police but are not confident of any action or reaction from them.
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The Warwickshire Hunt, the hunt with the Public Community Notice (CPN) was out on the 28th. Their conduct was clearly modified by the presence of Warwickshire Rural Police and they had to abandon the chase of a fox. The hunt still managed to get themselves filmed causing traffic disruption on the A425, which is very unwise. It would appear that 2 police forces showed a presence as the Northants police also turned up, but their objective seemed to be to have been to put pressure on the sabs, which failed miserably, and might even cause a certain amount of conflict between forces. Let’s hope so. On the 29th the hunt was out again and Will Goffe was asked if he had notified the police specifically of times they were crossing roads (in compliance with the CPN)… because the sabs had (noted it). 

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Mass Sabbing

On 2 Jan, Surrey Hunt sabs were joined by a number of other groups – South Coast, Brighton, Reading, Kingston, some Irish sabs from Connacht & Leinster and Surrey Hunt Monitors – to spoil the Surrey Union’s day. The hunt met next to Hankley Common – MOD land. They packed up by 2pm. Some locals (with children) thanked the sabs for being there and we have it on good authority that the children firmly believe that sabs are heroes (we agree).
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Corruption

Ben Wallace MP, ex Sandhurst, and Minister for Defence has suspended a memorandum of understanding with the League against Cruel Sports (LACS) whereby the MOD would inform LACS of where the hunt would take place so they could monitor the hunt for legal activity. The outcome of that is, of course, to help a hunt, particularly the Royal Artillery Hunt. It also openly indicates that the party of Law and Order thinks that Law and Order should not inhibit the hunt from their illegal activity. The HSA has released a censored email showing the frustration of MOD staff in dealing with the RA Hunt stating that any other organisation behaving the way the hunt behaved, would be banned from MOD land ( notably Salisbury Plain). The email also showed that the hunt were booking to hunt on one part of the Plain, while actually intending to hunt in a different area. The arrangement with LACS was mentioned and hey presto, it was AFTER this that Mr Wallace decided to end it, citing bad behaviour by LACS!

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Investigations, prosecutions and convictions

Thu 22/12/22 West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that Gavin Field, a core member of the Warwickshire Hunt ,accepted a caution under section 4A of the Public Order Act for causing fear, alarm or distress after he was filmed stealing the keys from a sab vehicle and running off with them. He then threw them over the hedge shouting “here’s your f***g keys“.
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The Essex and Suffolk Hunt were caught red-handed digging out a fox. On Boxing Day, while their Master was making the oddest of speeches at their meet, Suffolk Against Foxhunting slipped away and found terrier men  loitering around a badger set, and while they were asking them what they thought they were playing at, a beautiful fox popped out of the hole. Police are investigating.

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Struggling Hunts

East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt will amalgamate with the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt next year.

The Cheshire Monitors’ take on the Wynnstay Hunt makes interesting reading. They really do feel the hunt is under pressure in every way… a huntsman having to lie under oath over and over again, locals standing up against the hunt and feeding information back to the monitors, money troubles, and strife within their own camp.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any inaccuracies, or would like to give feedback, please either leave a comment or email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

 

Latest News 17 December 2022

Hunt Behaviour

Many hunts decided not to go out this week because of the very cold weather. This gave sabs, monitors and wildlife a bit of a break. The Wynnstay ventured out on foot but when the huntsman realised he had sabs present, he returned to base.
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The Warwickshire Hunt Sabs provided film footage taken on the 22nd October of the Warwickshire Hunt verbally abusing a sab and using the term “Fatty” 28 times. The Independent newspaper covered the story and shows the footage on its 30/11/22 online edition. Now that’s it is in the public domain, I doubt if the huntsman feels quite as smug as he felt when he was taunting the sab.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs have a report of an ordeal they had with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox Hounds, who were trying to kill a fox that had gone to ground. The violence against the one or two female sabs is appalling. It will be interesting to see if the police take any action on this because it is one of the worst examples of hunt violence that I have come across.
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The Wynnstay are advertising for a new huntsman. Chris Woodward (the defendant in the case which was dropped – see below) is leaving. North Wales Hunt Sabs also report that some of the masters of that hunt are leaving and maybe the whipper-in too. There may be some dissent within their ranks.
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The day after Mr Finnegan of the Cheshire Hounds was convicted of foxhunting (Tue 6/12/22) he was again out hunting. During the course of that day his terrierman assaulted sabs. Two members of North Wales Hunt Sabs were run in to by the quad. When Mr Finnegan committed the  offence to which he admitted guilt, he was enjoying a joint meeting with the Ledbury Hunt. Despite this, Herefordshire Council have granted permission for the Ledbury Hunt to hold their Boxing Day meet in Ledbury town centre. It seems criminality is not an obstacle to self promotion or council endorsement. Ledbury Hunt have actually claimed that they know nothing at all of the conviction.
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North Dorset Hunt Sabs also a report a serious assault of a lone female sab, on 5^th December 2022.
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On 10^th December, Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt drove his car at a monitor, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. While his victim was on the ground, Carter took his camera. It was later found, smashed. A serious altercation then occurred between the monitors and the hunt. Police were called, but as this was Wiltshire, no action was taken. Carter (who has had TWO cases of illegal foxhunting dropped by the CPS, one due to a procedural error) is the “competent person” who wrote the risk assessment for the hunt.

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Court

On 11/12/22 Cheshire monitors released the footage which the CPS considered was insufficient evidence to pursue a case of foxhunting against Chris Woodward of the Wynnstay Hunt. In court the hunt members attempted to intimidate the witness who was willing to stand and give evidence. Another witness would not give evidence for fear of reprisals.
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6/12/22, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court: Ollie Finnegan now Huntsman with the Cheshire Hounds, has pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7/1/22, whilst he was the Huntsman with the Quorn Hunt. Leicestershire Police force seized his phone and found incriminating text messages, which furthered the case against him.
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Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham from the Beaufort Hunt were due in Swindon Magistrates Court on 8^th and 9^thDecember 2022. There had been numerous previous hearings and much public money spent. On the morning of the 8^th, the case was suddenly and inexplicably dropped. The Beaufort is King Charles’ hunt. His good friend, Lord Mancroft is also part of it. We can’t think why it was dropped…
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John Lewis of the Lamerton Hunt was due in Plymouth Magistrates Court on 09/12/22, charged with having dogs dangerously out of control. The offence occurred 5/2/22. The result of this case is not yet known but it is interesting that the offence refers to dogs dangerously out of control.

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Police

Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team report on their Facebook page that they have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. They say they have done this because they issued the hunt with a warning notice in May 2022 about the anti-social use of the country road network. They say that the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN.
“ The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point. Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“ Because of the right to appeal, it is obviously not a done deal yet, but this will send shockwaves through the hunting community and through the various organisations that offer them tacit protection.
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On Sat (3/12/22) Kent Police positioned themselves to stop sab vehicles outside of the East Kent Hunt kennels, thereby denying the sabs the opportunity to follow the hunt to its meet. The police were successful and the sabs chose to find another hunt. Well done to the Kent Police.  You haven’t just aided and abetted illegal hunting by one hunt, but sent a signal to hunts all over the country that some police forces are still on the side of illegal hunting and against groups who legally try and oppose it. The police know it, we know it, that there will be no retribution against the police for this deplorable conduct.
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Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) report that the police rescued a hound from a deep water tank.  The Cheshire Hunt had left this hound behind and it was the reaction of a quick thinking officer from the rural crime team that pulled the hound out of the tank. The Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) are, in fact, full of praise for the police effort yesterday. The police challenged the behaviour of the terrier men and were prepared to get their feet muddy.
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6/12/22: Staffordshire Hunt Sabs report that the North Staffs Hunt has had to pack up early as the hunt staff agreed with the police that the hounds had been out of control.
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It looks as though control of the hounds is becoming a bigger issue. It is easier to prove, rather than the more difficult to prosecute offence of foxhunting.

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Bad news for hunts

The Saltersgate Farmers Hunt have been caught digging out a badger sett on land controlled by the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Authority has banned the hunt from that particular area which is good, but it is felt that the Authority needs to ban the hunt from all of the areas under its control. Observations to this effect can be made to: general@northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Other news

 ‘Keep the Ban’ has a new website.

It is now ‘Protect the Wild’.  It has the following website address. Just as we like others to support us I am sure they’d appreciate a visit. It’s a fine website – with the search bar sliding smoothly in from the right in an elegant and rather impressive way.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/
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Astonishing though it is, some churches actually support hunting. In Shropshire, a service for The United Pack, was arranged at St George’s Church in Clun on Sunday 11^th December. Shropshire AAF asked people to contact the church politely and ask them to reconsider, given that hunts are keen on animal cruelty – and that cannot be Christian. The service was cancelled, not on moral grounds, but because a member of the clergy received emails, which she thought were threatening.
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The cold weather has kept the badgers underground. Underground badgers have kept the shooters at home. This has given the anti-cullers a welcome break.

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Hunts and the public

Another case of hunt trespass occurred on Sat 10/12/22 and was reported by Three Counties Hunt Sabs when the Cotswolds Hunt were asked to leave land by the land owner.
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The following has been borrowed from the Peterborough Hunt Sabs. “This week an elderly birdwatcher was knocked down by the out-of-control Fitzwilliam Hunt while they were out walking. “At least 30 fox hounds came charging down the path in full cry and knocked me down, I complained to the red coat on horseback but he just shouted “we’ve been doing this for 350 years!” And rode off!” We’re not sure that knocking over elderly birdwatchers for 350 years is much to boast about.

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Sab News

Yet another new group has formed. It is called the Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs. Amongst their other activities they are organising a demo against the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt meet in Tavistock on Boxing Day. Good luck to WDHS!
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Drones are becoming a integral part of sab groups’ toolkits. Sheffield Hunt Sabs did a fund raiser in order to buy one, and hit their target in less than 24hours. Good effort.

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Boxing Day

With help from some parish and town councils, many Boxing Day meets are still going ahead. Grantham, is the exception (well done GABS), and a number of others are also looking unlikely or at least, compromised. There is a list on Grantham Against Bloodsports Facebook Page. AAF has been campaigning all year, challenging the meets on grounds of health and safety. To challenge these meets, you need evidence; Boxing Day 2022, and New Year’s Day 2023 are our only two opportunities to collect it. Go to the meets, take a camera and film. Here’s some advice about what to look for:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-meets-watch-listen-record/

Somerset County Council has astonished all of us by using EMERGENCY road closures to facilitate three Boxing Day meets. They say that this is because the hunts have not applied for proper road closures in time. CALL TO ACTION – email a complaint to the council. Protect the Wild has made it very easy to do. Click here for more details.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/news/somerset-county-council-using-emergency-powers-help-hunt-parades/

Latest News 3 December 2022

Hunt Violence, Cruelty and Law-Breaking

Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that whilst out sabbing the Grove and Rufford Hunt, the ex-master Gerard Farmer arrived with some of his friends and they proceeded to slash all four of the tyres on the sab vehicle. This happened on 19th November. A police investigation is underway. I do not know if this is the same vehicle that was seized by the Derbyshire police about four weeks ago, but with the police being so helpfully disposed towards the hunters and cullers, one has to ask, why would the hunt NOT conduct themselves like this. There is little risk of the police taking action against them.

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The West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue, unintimidated by the hunt or by the police, to sab the Warwickshire Hunt. On 12th November, they met with the usual disgraceful conduct. A sab was assaulted by hunt steward Harry Sawyer. It’s on camera.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that the South Dorset Hunt had a hound injured by a motorist on 22 November.  Hunt support removed the hound whilst it was still howling in pain. The same hunt trespassed on land owned by a racehorse stud farm. The owner inconveniently interrupted their pursuit of a fox. He also told them to stop disturbing his valuable livestock. If that wasn’t enough, they also got their hounds muddled up with hounds from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt who were hunting in the SAME FIELD. Both hunts were being sabbed at the time.

I’ve included the link to the report below, as this one really defies imagination.

https://www.facebook.com/mendiphuntsabs/posts/pfbid0hFeE58hSGRoF32T6CNJXtMVZxynJtMg7RkPbTXyWXyjjVpzue9vUnPp5HZwZ13jVl

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On 26th November,  the Albrighton Hunt left one of their injured hounds wandering alone in the dark after they had packed up. Reported by Staffordshire Hunt Sabs.

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Again, on 26th November, South Cambridge Hunt Sabs had two tyres slashed at the start of their sabbing day. They think they know who the perpetrators were and have submitted evidence to the police.

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Still on 26th November, Wildlife Crime Action has the video of the pack of hounds ragging a fox in the middle of a field. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale huntsman and terrier man are there, and like any good trail hunters they had come equipped with a plastic bag to remove the evidence. It is unpleasant footage. The footage has been shared in an attempt to force Avon and Somerset Police to take action.

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On Tue 29th November  Calder Valley Hunt Sabs report a hound of the Grove and Rufford, killed on the busy A614 road. The picture of a sab cradling the dead hound is deeply moving. Poor dog. Poor sab. We feel so sad for both of you.

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Sab successes

On Saturday (19th Nov) Cottesmore Hunt was sabbed by 90-100 sabs, as result of their attack on a sab a couple of weeks ago. A sheep collapsed and had bleeding from one eye and its nose, after the Cottesmore Hunt passed (rampaged) through the field. South Lodge Farm seemed indifferent to the animal suffering. They may even have been abetting the hunt.

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Police

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs who have to contend with the incredibly bad policing of the Wiltshire police, photographed the Conservative MP James Gray out on foot, with the Beaufort Hunt on 19th November. Bath Hunt Sabs also covered this event. Mr Gray MP said it was a legal hunt and but failed to account for at least eight terriermen!

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On 19th November 22, the West Kent Hunt Sabs are reporting that the Kent Police impounded two quads that were out with the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The terrier men were driving without insurance, tax and had swapped number plates.  The new precedents we now have, are;- North Wales police inspecting the contents of the box in front of the quad, Leicestershire Police ticketing bad parking at the meeting of a hunt in a village, and now Kent Police taking two quads away on a low loader. Tellingly, the West Kent Hunt Sabs go on to comment that they hope the police officers’ careers will not be adversely affected by their action as the Hunt is protected by senior officers in Kent Police. Kent Police still have Mike Bax as the Head of the advisory group to the Kent Police Rural Crime Team. Mike Bax is a former huntsman and was drummed out as head of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

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On 17th November, Wildlife Crime Action report that a serving officer with Dorset Police forwarded a post recently, advertising a horse for sale which included the description, “been cubbing and hound exercise“. It is alleged that that the unnamed officer regularly attends the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt meetings. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually feel that police in this country were accountable.

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On 29th November,  Nottingham Hunt Sabs filmed of one of the Quorn huntsmen attempting to steal sab property by grabbing at the camera. The sab retained the camera but it was destroyed in the tussle.  One may have thought there was enough evidence for the police to take action, but this is an English police force and the offenders are Foxhunters.

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Court Happenings

The CPS has just withdrawn evidence of a fox being chased by the Wynnstay Hunt. This may be a prelude to a not guilty verdict.

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The members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt that rammed the Manchester vehicles are still awaiting sentencing. The crime happened on 19th March 2019.

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Calls to action

There is a petition to ban the Ledbury Hunt from the town on  Boxing Day. Here is the link.

https://chng.it/KGSPRWdjcv

After two years, Somerset County Council have finally accepted that hunts, just like everyone else, MUST follow the usual procedures for staging their public Christmas meets. AAF wants to hear from anyone who knows anything about objections to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day Meets. Please complete our contact form and we will get back to you straight away. We can help with protests and objections.

Boxing Day and NYD Contact Form

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Bad News for Hunts

Not close to home, but a very old hunt in Ireland has folded, (Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt).

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Other News

The HSA has put out a newsletter summing up the progress made since the release of the webinars. One of the most startling statements in the press release states “… A host of other hunts are set to bite the dust this season,…” That is a very surprising statement from people who have been so totally immersed in having to be realistic about the survivability of hunts and hunting. Let’s hope they are right.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team stopped a trailer not far from the venue of the Warwickshire Hunt Ball. Having been lied to by the driver, officers searched the trailer and found a bunch of silly people inside, on their way to their annual bash where they celebrate the fox killings of the past year.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any mistakes or would like us to add something, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Saturday 19th November 2022

What have the hunts been up to?

This week, we learned of the tragic death of Matrix the Cat, at the hands of the Brocklesby Hunt. We are sad for the cat and for his owners. But, this doesn’t end here. We will get justice. 

On 14^th November, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt supporters appear to have lobbed a firework into the vehicle belonging to the North Dorset Hunt Sabs.
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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that hunts are still hunting on National Trust land and the National Trust is not taking action to deal with the trespass.

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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs, reporting on the Cottesmore Hunt, noted:  ‘…a distressed sheep farmer was furious that the hunt had frightened her pregnant ewes, disregarding a previous request for them to stay away from the flock.’ That could trigger sheep aborting over the next couple of days. No wonder she was furious. The same hunt removed a “Road Closed” sign on the A6003 so they could continue down the road unhindered.

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Weymouth Animal Rights report that on 5/11/22 the South Dorset Hunt chased and killed a deer.  Footage of the incident will be put forward to the police.
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On November 13^th, the Blencathra Foxhounds held an illegal fox hunt in the Carrock Fell area. This involved illegal hunting, trespassing across Lake District National Park, driving quads across LDNPA land. They also cleared the area of visitors first, by bullying  holiday-makers and day trippers out of the way first.

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Cambridge Hunt Sabs report that, at a joint meeting of 1) the Puckeridge Hunt and 2) Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt, the hunters and their supporters were excessively disposed towards aggression.

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What’s gone wrong for the hunts and right for us?

Here is an unexpectedly great result. Four weeks ago we reported on the conviction for illegal foxhunting of Mark Pearson, from the South Dorset Hunt. Here is a rather welcome follow up from AAF (Action Against Foxhunting). “Waitrose have suspended their relationship with Mark Pearson who supplied them with milk”. A successful and very speedy AAF & WAR (Weymouth Animal Rights) campaign

If you are willing to add more pressure to what has already borne fruit, here is a related petition from last week, triggered by the successful prosecution.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/richard-drax-stop-allowing-the-hunts-to-use-your-land/

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The Kings Head Pub in Pebmarsh, who inadvertently hosted the East Essex Hunt on 12^th November, won’t be doing that again. It turned out that the pub didn’t know the booking was for the hunt. The pub don’t support the hunt and they will not be welcome there again. We understand that this is a REALLY VERY NICE PUB, and if you are in Pebmarsh, pop in for a quick drink and say thank you._______

The Wynnstay Hunt could be in more difficulties than it realises. On Saturday 5^th Nov, the police attended in an unmarked car. The hunt had changed the venue of their opening meeting perhaps because they were no longer welcome at their traditional seasonal start point. With sabs present, and the police present, the hunt was very subdued and cautious, and probably actually afraid of being caught hunting illegally. How long will it be before the hunters, Lord Lieutenant and/or the High Sheriff, lose their nerve and decide they ought not to be bringing public opprobrium against the crown?

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Are the police more good than bad now?

West Kent Hunt Sabs have revealed a link between a former huntsman and the Kent rural police. As the sabs remark, “This explains why no action is ever taken when we contact Kent police about illegal hunting activity.” In a just world the Kent Police would try and account for their conduct. More likely they will just ignore the complaints.

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A post appeared on a pro hunter’s Facebook page complaining about Cumbrian Police’s presence at North Cumberland’s fox hunt on 20^th October 2022. The poster just COULD NOT understand why the police sent two police cars to investigate an allegation of illegal foxhunting. We’ll answer that – it’s because you were breaking the law and that’s what police are for.

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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that a fox fled away from the hunt into private property on 9^th November. The home owner called the police and the controller replied that trespass was not a criminal offence and the hunt were exercising their hounds. Cumbria Police did however attend and they are taking positive action regarding the handling of the call. The report also shows a picture of the fox, on the roof of the house next door, trying to escape the hunt.

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There was another precedent this week, this time reported by the Nottingham Hunt Sabs.  “Hunt supporters blocked roads and police ticketed the vehicles that were parked dangerously in the village.” The hunt involved was the Quorn and the Police force was the Leicestershire Police. (Last week’s precedent was the North Wales Police insisting in viewing the contents of the box on the front of a quad.)

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The North Yorks Police have joined other forces that can’t move forward, and continue to allow themselves to be manipulated by the hunts. On 5^th November, the East Yorks Coast Hunt Sabs had the North Yorks Police version of law enforcement displayed to them when they sabbed the Derwent Hunt. Six officers with four cars and threats of arrest were the order of the day.

https://www.facebook.com/page/1426555787466531/search/?q=police

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Court Happenings

Arun Squire, Huntsman of the Puckeridge Hunt, was due to face trial on Tuesday 15th November. The trial has been postponed until the 15th/16th May 2023 with a case management hearing due on 22nd of March.

Mr Squire therefore remains on bail for the rest of the hunting season.
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Tim Ingram formally whipper in with the Mendip Farmers Hunt and now Huntsman for the South Tetcott Hunt has pleaded guilty to criminal damage having been recorded on dash cam, being driven past the sab vehicle as a passenger on a quad, and kicking out at it. It has cost him a total of £912 and he now has a criminal record. There is no mention, however of any action being taken against the 16-year-old driver of the illegal quad. It could be that this is under Wiltshire police jurisdiction, so no further action will be taken.

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Last week, David Thomas from Dwyryd Fox Hounds received a jail sentence of 24 weeks and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. He had been convicted of six offences under the animal welfare act. He has now appealed this sentence, and it has been reduced to 13 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. What a farce.

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A football striker, Kian Harratt, with Bradford city FC has been convicted of hare coursing. The 20-year-old, from Pontefract, was sentenced along with two other men at Beverley Magistrates Court after being stopped by police in East Yorkshire on 3 April.

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Myles O’Connor, of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt (a Scottish hunt) has pleaded not guilty to illegal fox hunting. The offence occurred on 22/12/21. His trial will be in the New Year.

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On November 16^th, Daniel Cherriman, master of the South Shropshire Hunt pleaded guilty (probably because he couldn’t think of a defence) to hunting offences and was fined £600 for “disturbing a fox”. He was very that he would “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs. We would ask Mr C to add in “anti bloodsports campaigners”  just to make sure he includes all of us who will be subjecting him to adverse comments.

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Wiltshire Police have dropped the case against the terrier man who assaulted a sab last March, resulting in a bleed on the brain.

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Other News

In June several interested people raised an objection to the plans for a farm in Cheshire to start a mobile zoo business under the banner “Zoo2U“. The planning application has been rejected and, as is so often the way, an amended plan has been submitted.

You/we have until the 18th of November to register objections.

The proposed site is owned by a Badger Cull Director.

Here is the link.

https://freedomforanimals.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f8f4a3f22312d6cf35dc262ab&id=f99da7fed1&e=c74604483f

Thank you for reading.

“HEADLINES” is produced by Foxy Blether and AAF. If you spot any inaccuracies, or have something to add, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org. Thank you to the sab and monitor groups whose stories we have shared. 

Latest News 5th November 2022

 

Prosecutions, investigations and convictions

A member of the Portman Hunt was given a 16 week community order for assaulting a sab from north Dorset Hunt Sabs on on Saturday 24th September at Ochill, North Dorset.
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This next one one is shocking. We know that Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt was in court for illegal hunting, and that the case was dropped because of a “technicality”. Salisbury Plain Monitors have now released all the footage (which shows Carter to be as guilty as sin. So why was the case dropped? Read the details here: https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/royal-artillery-hunt-a-licence-to-kill/

A Prestatyn man, (Philip Stevens) has been found guilty of badger baiting at Mold Magistrates Court. He received a sentence of 24 months prison, suspended for 12 months, 180 hours of community service, costs of £500 and victim surcharge of £128. He was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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The following incident occurred at the Cottesmore Hunt on Tuesday 25th October. A woman sab (Lisa Jaffray) was run into by a hunt supporter. The driver drove off without stopping. The victim was taken to hospital, and was discharged the following day. Leicestershire police say “A 59-year-old woman, from Knossington, was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent (Wednesday 25^th October). She has since been released under investigation.”

(DI Charles Edward is investigating).
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A jail sentence of 18 months has been meted out to Luke Rix (32) from South Warwickshire, who filmed  himself hunting wildlife. The film reveals a very sadistic nature and he has also been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and was ordered to pay £500 and £128 victim surcharge.
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Police

The difference between different police forces attitudes towards hunting could eventually become a scandal. Hunts will be looking to hunt outside their territory to favour the areas that have hunt-sympathetic or corrupt policing.

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The sit-on-their-hands-and-do-nothing Wiltshire Police seem to have done nothing to progress the case against the assailant who caused the bleed on the brain for a sab. The assault occurred last March.
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The North Wales police insisted that the terrier man, from the Flint and Denbigh, who said the box on the front of his quad was empty, should open the box for the police to see. There was, of course, a terrier there. The terrier man was informed that there was no place for terriers on a trail hunt. However, no further action appears to have occurred. ‘Going equipped’ is not a hunting offence, but we’re looking into this.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have a lot of problems with the Royal Artillery Hunt, and a lack of police action. The following, in part, would explain why: “…we also know this farm hosts Wiltshire Police and allows them to train their police dogs on their land so if you’re ever hoping for this lot to face the force of the law you will be sorely disappointed“.  You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.

Sadly, the RA killed a fox on Saturday.
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The Three Counties Hunt Sabs were sabbing the Heythrop Hunt. When it was evident that the hunt was not acting within the law the police were called, and the Gloucestershire Police did attend. Shortly after that the hunt return to base. The difference of attitudes around Britain’s police forces is quite remarkable.
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Holcombe Hunt indulged in the common tactic of being aggressive to sabs and then calling the police to say they were being intimidated and bullied. When Lancashire Police turned up with three vehicles, they saw the video footage and told the hunt (and Mr Clarke junior) to behave.

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HUNT DISASTERS and SAB  ACTIVITY

The hunts are having increasing problems. People in the countryside are no longer afraid of them and are standing up to their bullying tactics, the police are no longer reliable, and don’t necessarily arrive and start making problems for the sabs. Many sab groups now have drones, which means their ability to monitor the location of the hunt is getting better and better. Quite a few hunts are struggling financially. It is probably true to say that the wind is no longer in their favour.
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East Devon Hunt, Axe Vale and the Cotley were upset when we noticed that the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for East Devon District Council forgot to exempt hounds. This means that the hounds cannot run about unleashed on roads. It also means that no one can be in charge of more than six dogs at a time and someone has to pick up all their faeces. Sabs are no on the look out for any of this behaviour and will report breaches to the council.

In Cornwall, another PSPO requires all dog owners to pick up their dog’s faeces – once again hounds are not exempt.
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The East Kent Hunt was sabbed and packed up around 11 am on Saturday. At about that time an angry landowner (who gave his name on video) (Colin Lee) turned up and complained to the hunt about hunt trespass. The world is changing. More and more people are prepared to stand up to the hunt.

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Many sab groups report the use of their drones in their hunt surveillance. Last weekend included:-

Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs versus Oakley Hunt
Surrey Hunt Sabs versus Ashford Valley
North London Hunt Sabs versus East Essex
South Coast Hunt Sabs versus East Kent
Manchester Hunt Sabs versus Warwickshire Hunt.

Drones are becoming more and more part of the sab toolkit and they are becoming expert at piloting them.
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Sheffield Hunt Sabs said thank you to those that contributed, in order that they could get their vehicle back from the police. (It was seized last week.) They used it to good effect in getting rid of some lampers as well as doing their badger work.
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Last week we reported on a new sab group called “Locals against the Blankley Hunt“. This week the HSA are reporting that there is yet another sab group formed, this one is called “East Surrey Hunt Sabs“. In Somerset, we have another new group, called Somerset Sabs.

We wish all the new groups success.

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A Scottish Hunt, (the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt) has acquired some adverse publicity in the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.  “A pack of 50 loose dogs caused havoc in the countryside – worrying sheep, spooking horses and scaring people. The baying hounds were seen stampeding through fields, roads and a quarry on the morning of Tuesday, October 18.” No sabs were present, and it was the local people that took umbrage and alerted the police.
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Cottesmore Hunt didn’t let the hit and run interrupt their hunting day. Later on in the day the sab report states: “as sabs closed in hunt terrier man Gary McCann assisted by other masked thugs assaulted sabs punching one in the face, smashing a camera and knocking female Sabs to the ground and strangling them.“
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Dunstan Harriers had a number of hounds killed by a train on an active railway line on Monday 31st. From previous knowledge the railway/transport police seem to be rather better at successful prosecutions than the national police forces, so we wait and see what becomes of this. This is the sixth railway trespass by hunts, that we know about, in the last three years.
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Campaigns

Richard Drax MP is coming under scrutiny after the conviction of Mark Pearson (hunting offences) from the South Dorset Hunt. Not only does he own the land on which the kill happened, he also rents their kennels out to them. Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) and AAF are asking Mr Drax to ban the hunt from his land. Please sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

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The convict Mark Pearson supplies milk to Waitrose. After the conviction, Waitrose should reconsider this arrangement, particularly given the artwork displayed in Watirose stores assuring shoppers of their compassion towards animals. Campaign details coming soon.
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Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets are approaching. AAF (together with other groups) is challenging 28 of these meets and would like to hear of more. Please click on this link to let us know if you are involved.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/the-simple-version/

Other News

Matt Hancock a Conservative MP has been suspended from his party. His mother is Shirley Carter, and the Wynnstay Hunt has used her home, The Greaves, near Wrexham, for their meets. Up to now the hunt has had a line through to Cabinet level which may in part account for their confidence in flouting the law.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 22nd October 2022

 

POLICE Response to illegal hunting

 

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs Facebook page requires a visit if you are to understand what is going on between them and the police. The key point here is this: how did the Warwickshire Hunt know anything about the arrests of the sabs last week, unless police told the hunt themselves? Read the details here:https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/posts/pfbid0XP2j6cSXeZWSf2CziaDQpHRMjJ3mspgQU6urMe6p6X9n7g9ByFp8NYoo5TexNamBl
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Bedfordshire Police have been out with a 4 x 4 keeping an eye on the Oakley Hunt. The police also found time to have an interesting discussion with the Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. This left the sab group with the impression that some interesting times might lie ahead for the hunts.
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Whilst the Nottingham Hunt Sabs with a member of the Lincoln Hunt Sabs were out sabbing the Blankley Hunt, the Lincolnshire Police arrested the driver and navigator from the Nottingham Hunt Sabs for an, as yet, unspecified offence. Their vehicle is now in a police pound.
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Derbyshire Police have seized a vehicle belonging to the Sheffield Hunt Sabs whilst they were out opposing the badger Cull.
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The Leicestershire Police want to liaise with sabs. It’s difficult to imagine any sab wanting to cooperate with police who have spent 18 years perfecting ways to harass or intimidate an organisation that wants the laws upheld. On the other hand, the police are part of this (no matter what we think) and if liaising with the police means the hunts are put under more pressure, then we might want to consider it.
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The (Isle of) Wight Hunt Sabs Facebook page recounts an interesting little story. One of the Isle of White Foxhound supporters became verbally aggressive and then called the police. The interaction had been recorded by the sabs and they showed the recording to the police which confirmed that the aggressive verbal behaviour had not been initiated by the sabs. The perpetrator of the abuse then appeared and when the police went to speak to him he would not calm down. So they arrested him and took him away in a police van. It’s great to hear a case of the police being called by the hunt and it backfiring in quite such a exemplary manner.
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The Western Hunt were very miffed at being sabbed by the West Cornwall Hunt Sabs and decided to take revenge by using their smart phone whilst driving, to film the sabs. They chose to do it in front of a police officer and we are now waiting to see if there is an outcome from this particular irresponsible activity, because the police officer did set off in pursuit. The West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are nothing if not persistent, and they will let us all know in due course how this develops.
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Last week we reported a window smashing event that (allegedly) the Norwich Constabulary had said they couldn’t do anything about. This week their inaction in not even investigating, Norwich Constabulary were rewarded for their indifference by being able to ring the sabs up to tell them that one of their vehicles had been extensively vandalised.

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Convictions and Prosecutions

Mark Pearson of the South Dorset Hunt has been found guilty of fox hunting. The penalty is £6,000 fine, £190 victim surcharge, and £620 costs.  His blatant lying in court is very disconcerting. He had killed one fox earlier in the day and the police deemed it an accident and allowed him to continue hunting. It was fortunate that the second kill was recorded by a monitors with cameras. The judge held that he should have had his hounds under control.
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A game keeper, (Matthew Stroud) has admitted illegally shooting and poisoning birds of prey. He received (from Norwich Magistrates’ Court) a 12 month community order, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and fined £692.
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Huntsman David Thomas from Dwydryd Hunt, has pleaded guilty to running a badger baiting ring at the Hunt kennels. Sentencing is due on 7th November. (He has had a previous prison sentence for badger baiting).
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Two men from the Wynnstay Hunt, Jamie Barnes, of Nottingham, and Ben Lloyd Davies from Welshpool have been found guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court of interfering with badger setts at a farm in Wrexham in August last year. The court heard that at the time, Barnes had been employed by the Wynnstay Hunt, and “had been asked to get a rogue (bagged) fox” ahead of the following day’s hunt. They were each fined £1000, £600 costs and £100 victim surcharge.
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Ms Sarah Moulds was visibly discombobulated last week when her trial date was set back until 22nd of August 2023. Ms Moulds was the lady who struck and kicked her horse at the Cottesmore Hunt.
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There are about another eleven hunts awaiting their turn in court.

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Hunt Activity

Local Hunt Sabs have now helped remove three hunts from our countryside. The latest demise (The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt) has allowed those same sabs to turn their attention to the Teme Valley Hunt, whose dogs rioted among a field of sheep last week.
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Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) sabbed the South Dorset Hunt, last Saturday. Their hit report says that a monitor from Wildlife Crime Action got himself/herself into the appropriate position and has some quite damning footage. We have to await more information, but that sounds encouraging.
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The Three Countries Hunt Sabs show photographs of what happens when you let dogs run across a cattle grid. The Heythrop Hunt seemed indifferent to their own utter stupidity.
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Last Wednesday, both the Cheshire Monitors and Cheshire Against Bloodsports reported violence from the Wynnstay Hunt, and that it was recorded on video.
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A landowner has written to the Hereford Times, and complained about a hunt trespassing on his land. The offending Hunt was The Radnor and West Herefordshire Hunt. It is yet another example of hound trespass, and of hunts being not as popular as they would like their followers to believe.
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Devon Hunt Sabs report that not only were their tyres slashed but the brake lines on their vehicle were cut.
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The dogs of the Thurlow Hunt attacked a muntjac deer, which subsequently had to be put down. It was recorded on video by the Cambridge Hunt Sabs. It is the subject of a police investigation.

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Other news

AAF’s Rural Survey returned the following results (among other figures). Only 7% of rural residents support fox hunting. 73% of rural residents know that hunts are still killing foxes and 90% of local residents don’t attend the Boxing Day Meet in their town.
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With Boxing Day approaching, more and more hunts are finding their public meets under threat. AAF and other local groups are challenging 25 (and more) hunt meets across the country. The challenges relate to public safety and legal permissions. Hunts always just show up on the day, illegally block roads, and generally do as they please. Everyone else has to obey the rules and there is no reason why the hunts are an exception. AAF wants more locals to help. Please contact info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org for further details.
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Having had one of their members assaulted by a masked-up member of the Essex Farmers Hunt, various sab groups returned the following week to mount a very successful sab on that hunt.
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Reminder to those that tramp across fields by night to consider their own safety. In Carmarthenshire on the 23rd  Sept a Farmer was killed by his own bull. And on 25th September, Lancashire police reported finding the body of a woman that appeared to be killed by cattle.
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The wife of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business and Energy Secretary who last week said the market turmoil was not due to the Mini budget, was out hunting with the Mendip Farmers Hunt last Saturday. The party whose corner stones are of financial and economic rectitude, and law and order, is not without its shortcomings!
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A puppy farmer from Essex has received a four-year jail sentence for her puppy farming activities.
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A new group has been formed. “Locals Against the Blankley Hunt”. It appears to me the hunts that are likely to suffer the most are those with a dedicated sab group. We wish the new group well.
Thank you for reading. 

 

Latest News 9th October 2022

 

Police response to illegal hunting

The Wynnstay Hunt was out cub hunting on Wednesday 21st September.
Cheshire Monitors say they don’t normally bother ringing the police, “…because they’ve shown no real interest in hunting in the past, but they’ve just admitted being poor with their responses in the past and that things have changed.” Indeed they have changed because the West Mercia police attended. Hunts must soon start asking themselves if the police attendance is simply a one-off, or if it represents a sea change.

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Last Boxing Day there was a violent kerfuffle in the village of Lacock hunt supporters from the Avon Vale Hunt attacked protesters. Earlier this year three hunt supporters pleaded guilty to public order offences. However, Wiltshire Police, (a force that is now in special measures) decided to prosecute two of the people that were attacked. Last week, District Judge Joanna Dickens dismissed the charges against the two defendants using the words “Ultimately the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thin…” The police submitted a short clip of video as evidence. The guys were trying to defend themselves.

If you cast your mind back you may remember one of the police officers present was a paid up member of the hunt.

Bringing the case against the two people who were trying to defend themselves, is an example of Wiltshire police trying to appear even-handed, whilst actually undermining trust in the police.
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Wiltshire Police, or possibly just their PCC Phillip Wilkinson, have released a promotional video to the BBC making some quite extravagant claims about what the Wiltshire Police are up to, to stop crime in the countryside. The PCC said that hare coursing events are being live streamed into China and people there are betting tens of thousands of dollars on which dog will take the hare. “…Gangs with dogs and four by fours chase hares across farmland and the criminals leaves thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake and will use intimidation and violence to set up the chase.“ He goes on, “The people involved are often also involved in running county lines and modern day slavery too, these are serious criminals and a very real threat.”

The PCC went on to say that they weren’t “worried about the hares… just the damage to property”. Once again, this PCC is dismissing the Hunting Act. We would like him to commit to enforcing ALL laws, including the HA, rather than picking and choosing according to his own personal opinion regarding illegal hunting.

I’m sure Wiltshire rural crime team will be an excellent job of apprehending these international criminals.

My advice to hare coursers in Wiltshire, wear a bright red jacket and if stopped by the police tell them that you are trail hunting.
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The Norwich Hunt Sabs comment favourably about the rural police team attending a meet of the West Norfolk Foxhounds. Although they did arrive late in the day they informed the sabs that they intended to put up a drone in order to monitor the hunt, and indeed they lived up to their promise. With the Norfolk police finally realising that the hunts are acting illegally, they may care to reconsider whether their conviction against sab a few years back for aggravated trespass was in fact a miscarriage of justice.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs had a window smashed on their car whilst kennel watching the West Norfolk Fox Hounds. Allegedly, Norfolk Constabulary said they were unable to do anything.

Hunt Activity

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs have video footage of a huntsman, Olivia Forsyth, from the Warwickshire Hunt galloping after a fox in the hope of turning it back into the maize for her Hounds. It’s pretty blatant cub hunting.
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West Kent Hunt Sabs have video footage of the East Kent with West Street Hunt acting violently towards a member of the public. They have identified the attacker, so perhaps in six months time we will see yet another court case.
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On the 16th of September, The Times carried an article concerning the hunting of a stag for three hours before it was shot dead. The article carried a photograph of the hunter at the moment of the discharge of the rifle aimed at the stag. Stag hunting is probably one of the most disgusting versions of hunting that there is in this country and it is good to see that a major and respected newspaper is becoming more willing to cover the issue.

I don’t suppose the nation’s opprobrium will cause the Quantock Hunt to bat an eyelid. Eventually, however, public opinion will matter enough to those that could put a stop to hunting to take action.
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Prosecutions

Three members of the Vale of White Horse Hunt have pleaded not guilty to hunting offences. Their trial date has been set for the 23rd of March 2023.

That makes the number of hunts awaiting court appearances 13. There could be more.

Other News

The struggles, pertinacity, and bravery of some people can be quite remarkable.

A lady reports that she followed the Ludlow Hunt on her land for two hours and then managed to open the box on the front of a quad. There was a fox there but, before she could reach for the Fox, the quad drove off. Subsequently she saw the fox being transferred to a hessian bag. The hessian sack was thrown into the back of a Land Rover, which was driven off. What was happening was being relayed by telephone to the police who responded quickly, but not quickly enough to catch the culprits.
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The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, has been out cub hunting. The hunt also meet and hunt on their estate, which contravenes the law forbidding land to be used for illegal hunting. I do wonder if he/she is keeping an eye on the mood of the authorities and the public.
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Nottingham Hunt Sabs showed a picture of a young dead badger. It had been shot and wounded, but it couldn’t quite make it back to its sett. It’s worth remembering that it was the cattle that gave the TB to the badgers and not vice versa.

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Avian bird flu has been found in pheasants.
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The Welsh government is setting out a bill that will make snare and glue traps illegal. It is part of a larger Welsh Agricultural Bill.
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Scotland is planning to get rid of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and replace it with legislation that will make the hunting with dogs more difficult to get away with.  Scottish ministers have reacted with, “… chasing and killing a mammal with a dog for sport or otherwise has no place in modern Scotland.” They are trying to close the loopholes which hunts use to circumvent the law. It appears to be a step in the right direction because the Scottish branch of the bloodsport industry is already against it.

Latest News 24th September 2022

Hunt changes

Bleane Beagles, a Kent based Hare Hunt has amalgamated with the Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex Beagles. It is another case of where there were once two hunts, now there is only one. The title of the hunt with which they have amalgamated suggests that, that Hunt, too, is an amalgamation of several.

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It is quite difficult to keep track of hunts when they close down or amalgamate.

We know that the New Forest Hounds are now a bloodhound pack and hope that they have an enjoyable season, with no controversy.
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Police, CPS and Prosecutions
The Nottingham Hunt Sabs tell us that when they were attending to the Quorn Hunt recently, the police showed up to do a bit of sabbing themselves – “Leicestershire police had two 4x4s from the rural crime team, driving across fields after this once mighty Hunt”. I don’t recall ever of hearing of the police showing any real intent of stopping illegal hunting. This could send shock waves through the Blood Sport industry.

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Last August a case against the Quorn Hunt was dropped after the intervention of the CPS.

The CPS said:

“Explaining the decision to drop the case, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.

“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swain giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”

It seems that, despite the outcome of that previous case, the police remain unconvinced that the Quorn Hunt is engaged in legal hunting.

After police deploying 4 x 4 in the field, I do wonder if the Quorn remain so confident.
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The North Wales Hunt Sabs may have reported a milestone event. The Flint and Denbigh followed a trail for the first time since the introduction of the Hunting Act 17 years ago. They did however have terriers and their owners on quads, which is suggestive that they wanted to leave their options open.

The Wales police had a presence too. Perhaps they want to clean up their lamentable record prior to the review of the police record on the policing of hunts in North Wales.
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Ben Porter, terrierman for the Hereford and Clifton Hunt was found guilty in Worcester Crown Court on 21/09/22. These were the charges:

Failure to stop after an accident
Failure to report an accident
Driving with undue care and attention, causing injury
No insurance
Incorrect licence (too many passengers on quad bike)
No Mot
Driving an unregistered quad bike on a public road

This happened during a foxhunt on 5^th March. Among other crimes, this man drove a quadbike at speed, hitting and injuring a sab.
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On September 21st in Yeovil Magistrates Court, a member of the Seavington Hunt pleaded guilty to offences under the Hunting Act. This was the person caught on video releasing a bagged fox. He was not, however, convicted for this appallingly cruel act, as the second charge  “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal” was withdrawn. We think this was some sort of a deal. Admitting to using a bagged fox would be disastrous for the hunts, so they settled for breach of the Hunting Act instead. The fine was £180.

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Hunt Activity

There are several reports from hunt sabs groups of very blatant cub hunting. In particular, the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV) were caught on video clearly hunting cubs. In that video, the huntsman (George Pearce) got very excited and galloped up and down a track tootling his horn wildly. I understand that this is not the behaviour of a “skilled huntsman”. Rather, it is the behaviour of a teenage boy watching a naughty video for the first time.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report that at least one (and possibly two) hounds were involved in an RTA on September 8^th. It’s likely that the hounds were from the Avon Vale pack. The hunt master is Stuart Radbourne, well-known to sabs. Poor dogs – they always get a raw deal.
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Given that the number of hunts with members awaiting court appearances sits at twelve, this seems rather rash.

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Other News

The Lancashire and Cumbria Hunt Sabs appear to have laid an ambush worthy of a Ukrainian General. They had fore knowledge that the Melbreak Hunt were intending to hunt direct from their kennels onto National Trust land , from first light. The Sabs got themselves into position, hidden, and with cameras and drone. Sure enough the Melbreak Hunt walked confidently onto National Trust land and cast their hounds. When ready the Sabs showed their hand, and the hunting day was ruined. The National Trust and the police were informed.
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The Blackmore Vale Magazine, a free magazine from North Dorset, published an article called “In defence of foxes”, written by Pip Donovan, from Action Against Foxhunting. It was a response to a  previous comment by a known local pro, Ruth Kimber, who had said, “foxes feast on domestic cats”. Publication of AAF’s article was a surprise, as the magazine is traditionally pro hunt. To read the article, click here:

https://blackmorevale.net/in-defence-of-foxes/?fbclid=IwAR1O3XypZ7z-FMp2SnAarbYP0Jd9kSFpjfaxureNSlzzfEIgdYUxNte9wWY
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While out doing their thing, members of a Cheshire sab group found a couple of puppies (under a year old and covered in faeces and urine burns) just behind a gate of a field at half 11 at night. With the help of a local, they rescued the puppies and off they went to a rescue, where they are thriving. Kind people doing kind things – it always helps to know they are out there.
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If you use ‘Radio Sounds’ to listen to previous radio broadcasts you may choose to listen to ‘Farming Today’ broadcast on 03/09/22. The first few minutes of the broadcast are taking up on the subject of BTB and Elaine from The Cheshire Badger Vaccination program has a short interview. Elaine is known to many of us and she was an excellent interviewee.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

Latest News 10th September 2022

Two more hunts have made it into the list of outstanding court cases. The Seavington Hunt are being charged with animal cruelty, as well as offences under the Hunting Act. The Daily Mail and ITV News showed the video footage of the bagged fox being released. The offence occurred on 5^th March 222.  A 30 year old man will appear in Yeovil Magistrates Court on 21^st September 2022.
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The Fitzwilliam Hunt has received a fox hunting related charge as well. They are due in court on the 22nd Sept for an incident on 5th March 2022.
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On Tuesday 30^th August, three members of the Dunston Harriers pleaded not guilty in Norwich Magistrates’ Court, to a hunting offence that occurred on 18/01/22, and the case was adjourned to a hearing on 28/11/22.
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It appears that twelve hunts are now awaiting court proceedings.
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AAF has launched its “Stop Boxing Day Meets Campaign”. To make things much easier for anyone who wants to start a local campaign, we have produced some straightforward training on our website. Please use the “Contact Form” on the webpage to let us know about your campaign. Here is a link:https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/how-to-stop-boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meets/

AAF is also launching a Children’s Poster Competition with prizes. All children (aged 12 years or under) are invited to enter. We want them to design a poster to show people what to do if they see a wild animal in trouble. Closing date is 31st October. Click here for details:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/poster-competition/

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The Badger Cull started on the 31st August catching most of us by surprise. It was a somewhat earlier start than we anticipated. Responses from saboteur groups around the country have been brilliant.
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There is another petition, this time to help a distressed family whose pet dog has been siezed by the police.

https://www.change.org/p/help-free-dennis-and-get-him-back-home/signatures/confirm?token=ddaf1f5a-c7bf-4f2e-a57a-1635214bdbf9
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Lush continues to support hunt saboteurs with stalls and fundraising in their stores. The most recent was in Liverpool last weekend.
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Hereford hunt sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt has lost the use of a small piece of common land, Bromyard Downs. Possibly not a huge issue but another minor irritant for those that are in favour of hunting.

The Hereford hunt sabs also report that the hounds from the above mentioned hunt appear to have been distributed amongst other hunts. (This is confirmed by the West Kent HUNT SABS who are reporting the arrival of hounds at the East Kent with West Street Hunt.) The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt which had been looking for a kennelman has now had the advert withdrawn. That same hunt might also be without a huntsman. Perhaps the loss of Bromyard Downs turns out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Thank you for reading.

 

Latest News 25th August 2022

The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Foxhunt are not on our list of hunts expecting court appearances in the next few months. However, they have made it into the news because of a successful prosecution of one of their terrier men. In October 2020 Sam Jamie Mepham took it upon himself to repeatedly drive his very large tractor into a sab vehicle.The incident was filmed and he pleaded guilty to an offence which resulted in a sentence of 12 months community service and a 12 month driving ban. He has previously been convicted of killing a wild animal with a crossbow and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

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John Bennett Wright was part of a group of hunt supporters that dragged a lone and disabled sab from his vehicle and assaulted him. Glasgow Hunt Sabs report on their Facebook page, “John Bennett Wright, a thug associated with Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire (L and R) Fox Hounds was today sentenced to a 12 month supervision order on top of being made to carry out 180 hours unpaid community work and paying £500 to his victim.

Ryan Sinclair another supporter incurred a £400 fine. Previous to the attack on the disabled sab, he had been responsible for slashing two tyres and he was also part of the group that attacked the disabled sab.
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Action Against Foxhunting has sent out nearly 10 000 cubbing leaflets in the last few weeks to members of the public who are kind enough to distribute them. However, Keep the Ban’s survey showed that only 1 in 10 people has heard of cub hunting. We need to change this. To order leaflets, please click on this link:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/aaf-leaflets/
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The United Pack were out cubbing at the weekend, but were successfully sabbed. About five different sab groups participated.

________

A couple of days ago, the West Kent Hunt Sabs with other groups sent the East Kent with West Street Hunt back to barracks.
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Various sab groups combined to visit the Yorkshire Moors on the 12th and disrupt at least one shoot. Peak District Hunt Sabs show a video of the police arriving to remonstrate with them. The first words an unfortunate police officer uttered were   “…you have disrupted their illegal activity.” It probably wasn’t the best slip of the tongue ever but it did get an enthusiastic response from the assembled Sabs.
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As of yesterday evening, Staffordshire Hunt Sabs along with others had managed to complete three days on the moors already this season. It does not seem to be going that well for those that like to use wild creatures for target practice.
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The Three Counties Mink Hounds are based in Worcestershire. Last weekend they were rampaging on the river Tweed and were being hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch Hunt. Fortunately, the heavily outnumbered Scottish Border Hunt Sabs along with the Glasgow Hunt Sabs attended the meet and showed great determination in stopping their activities.

The hounds were a long way from their normal home territory.

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“Shut Down T and S Rabbits”, has its own Facebook page.

There is now a Camp Bunny as well as a Camp Beagle. They had received support from Sab groups.

It is good to report that we have just heard that the owner of the rabbit farm is withdrawing from rabbit breeding and homes are being sought for rescued rabbits.

The request on their Facebook page is, please, …don’t rock the boat with any independent action until they have been able to clarify the situation.

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West Midlands Hunt Sabs, are petitioning to stop the Warwickshire Hunt from using Council land. Please help support them.

https://chng.it/NWgpmSsd2s
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Natural Resources Wales have upheld their decision to ban trail hunting on their land. That keeps them in line with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority.

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The case against Robert Metcalfe of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt was dropped by the CPS due to lack of evidence.

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The huntsman of the Iveagh Hunt, a Northern Ireland hunt, Jack Harris, has been fined £500 after a pack of hounds killed a cat and bit a man during a fox hunt. He also had to pay £1200 court costs and £15 offender’s levy. Mr Harris did not appear in court as he was thought to have removed himself to England. [Fox hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland but, as in England, 80% or more of the population is against fox hunting. The opprobrium attached to Jack Harris and the Iveagh Hunt only serves to reinforce public opinion.]

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This petition is one that we would all support. It concerns animals in laboratories.

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/127745480/signed

Since it has already passed 70,000 signatories it does stand a good chance of making an impact.

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“Schadenfreude“. -Happiness in someone else’s misfortune.

The Eggesford Hunt have been successfully sabbed three times  in one week, by Devon County Hunt Sabs.

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The Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt have lost two Masters very recently and they have heard from several sources that the hunt is on its knees. So that is another two hunts that must be planning behind closed doors how to combat the continuing decline of their hunts.
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On the 12th of August whilst out in the peak district the Peak District Hunt Sabs picked up a fine for having a light out on their vehicle. When the police attend a hunt, it’s difficult to get the police to show any interest in traffic offences, be they committed by quad bike riders, or vehicles without MOTs. Having a go at the sab driver or his vehicle is the normal practice of the police when engaging in subtle harassment. We need to keep ourselves and our vehicles absolutely spot on.
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Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt will no longer be able to access Bromyard Downs thanks to a unanimous vote by the Commoners to ban hunting. Bromyard Downs consists of 242 acres of mainly open access common land east of Bromyard, as well as some farmland.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 10th August 2022

Vicky Dymond from the Western Hunt in Cornwall has been given a deferred caution for attacking a hunt saboteur with a whip at the end of last season. This is the third member of the same hunt to be investigated, and two of them have been convicted. Paul Martin was convicted earlier this year for violence and John Sampson for failing to control his hounds, leading to the death of Mini the Cat.

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Where once there was two now there is one… The latest amalgamation that we have learnt about appears to be the Weston and Banwell merging with West Somerset Vale Hunt. In fact this merger may have occurred two years ago, but went unreported at that time.
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At an EGM on Thurs 4/8/22 their Hunt committee voted to close down the TETCOTT Hunt (based about 40 miles west of Exeter), due to lack of support and poor finances. The SOUTH CORNWALL Hunt got a mention in that same EGM, and it also appears to be a hunt that has folded within the last two years.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report that the North Norfolk Harriers are disbanding. The hares will be safer from now on.
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Six members of Chard Town Council paid a visit to Cotley Hunt kennels. The hunt obviously kept the dark side hidden from the councillors and showed them only the parts they wanted them to see. Pip, from AAF, who had also asked to visit, was not included. The Mayor had said that he would not go unless Pip did, but he went anyway without Pip, showing no real backbone. Maybe the hunt should invite the councillors to watch them cubhunting? We have evidence of that from last year, of course. No trail hunting there! AAF will continue the campaign against the Cotley’s Boxing Day meet in Chard. Unlike the councillors, they are not fooled. One more thing – the Cotley have since boasted that FIFTY councillors went to the kennels. It was SIX.
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Norwich Pride normally hold their Pride Picnic in Stody Gardens. But now they’ve found out this is a shooting estate, they have decided to picnic elsewhere. Good for them. We need more bold decisions like this!
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Courts are capable of giving custodial sentences. On Monday, Rhys Davies from North Wales was jailed for eight months and banned from owning dogs for 15 years after using dogs to fight badgers and foxes. He was also fined £1800 at Forfar sheriff court in Scotland.
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Closer to home, Paul O’Shea, from the East Essex Hunt, who was videoed capturing a fox and then repeatedly spearing the live creature with a fork, received an 18 week suspended prison sentence. He also received 200 hours community service, £105 court costs, £128 victim surcharge and banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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Reading HS report that the CPS will not pursue an unlawful hunting case against the Avon Vale Hunt. This hunt was involved in a serious assault on a sab earlier this year.
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The glorious 12^th is approaching. Grouse shooting begins, particularly in Scotland. A tragedy for the environment and for birds.
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A female protester has been assaulted, you might even say attacked, by someone providing security for an outfit called T & S Rabbits. A mass protest for Sunday has been called for. ‘Shut Down T & S Rabbits” will provide more information.
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On Thursday 4th, Manchester HS announced that the CPS had dropped a case against the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt which was videoed hunting a fox on 23/11/21. Whilst disappointing, it does look as though it would have been difficult to get a conviction based on the video even although the fox is clearly observed.
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Keep the Ban, facebook page has an article “what is lamping and is it illegal?“. If you have the time it is a worthwhile read. Click here 
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Has anyone heard of hound trailing??

There is a website called (houndtrailing.org.uk) which explains the sport. The hounds follow a trail as individuals, and not as a pack, and this is a competition between hounds to determine which is the speediest and most successful trail follower. There is no hunting of wildlife, and the trail scent that they follow is a mix of paraffin and aniseed.
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Finally, 4,000 beagles are looking for new homes after one of the biggest ever dog rescue efforts in the US. The dogs were being bred and then sold on to laboratories for drug experiments.

The company has now been shut down because of animal rights violations. The condition of many of the dogs was quite appalling.(Report on BBC News site)

4,000 to re-home. Wow!

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Back in March 22, the East Cornwall Hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to join them at their meet at Jamaica Inn. This caused such consternation amongst locals and anti blood sports individuals, that the Inn decided not to host them again. The Inn has been sold to someone else, and the new owners have said they won’t be having them back. Wise decision! Who’d want to open that can of worms again?
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The South Downs Blood Hounds, a clean boot hunt, will talk to anyone about their legal hunting activities. The master, Jeremy Whaley (a former fox hunter) is very keen to show how open and genuinely transparent they are. Their meets are advertised online and everyone is welcome to go along and watch.
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Thank you for reading.

Wed 27th July 

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) (Caroline Henry), for Nottingham has been convicted of five speeding offences over a period of 12 weeks, been fined £2450 and been given a six month driving ban. She is married to MP Darren Henry,(Conservative).

Our interest in PCCs is due to the fact that some of them were selected by the pro fox hunting lobby group, Vote OK.
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The Northern Counties Mink Hunt took something of a drubbing on Saturday from various of our HS groups. Staffordshire HS particularly give a good write up. The owner of the land upon which they were hunting is a Charles Dent.
He was a director of Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, but by Sunday morning, he had resigned. The Staffordshire HS also suggest ways in which their readership could put pressure on the hunt, which included contacting The Yorkshire Dales River Trust who are responsible for managing the River Nidd which was the Hunt’s target river.
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Crapaud highlighted a post from the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team which generated a lot of comment from other HS groups. The eye catching caption to the picture was, “if you see a fox being hunted please call 999“. We do wonder if they will re-publish that post during the fox hunting season!
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Much to the chagrin of anglers and the NFU, beavers have now been accorded a protected species status which will take effect from the 1st of October.
“Keep the Ban“ had this to say:-
“The government confirmed on 22 July that it has passed an order to list beavers a native species across England. This means the law will provide beavers with a range of protections similar to badgers including penalties for killing, capturing or injuring them. Disturbing or damaging their homes is also illegal. The order achieves this by amending the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Beavers (England) Order will come into effect on 1 October.”
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Both the National Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority have indicated that they will not lift their ban on fox and trail hunting.
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Finally, Hankinson’s Appeal.
The simplistic view that the court found Hankinson not guilty of encouraging others to break the law is quite misleading. In paragraph 9 of the judgement the judges state, “having considered the words that were used we take the view that they were capable of encouraging the commission of illegal hunting“. The judgement appears to hang on the question, “Did the appellant intend to encourage the commission of an offence?” In this regard Hankinson claimed that the laying a trail or several trails was to confuse the Sabs. The judge also considered that Hankinson’s role within the Hunting Office was to ensure compliance with the law*, that he was a person of previously good character, and that the clearly stated purpose of the webinar was to inform and educate attendees as to the law and its compliance. The webinar was attended by in excess of 100 people which included police officers, lawyers and a member of the House of Lords. It would be unlikely that Hankinson would encourage such people to break the law. The judge must have not listened to the bit where one of the participants said “I hope no police are listening.”
For the above reasons the court did not believe that the criminal threshold of proof was reached, and that Hankinson’s intention was to encourage others to break the law.
The appeal against conviction was therefore allowed.
Perhaps the best bit of Mr Hankinson’s baloney is in the sentence, “when laying fake trails he said it was important to give the appearance of legitimacy to the saboteurs in order to confuse them as to which trail the hunt intended to follow“.
In fact, you can’t really blame the judge for not seeing how crass this statement was. Judges are probably not familiar with the fact that Sabs do not run around sniffing the ground looking for a trail, false or otherwise.
And how did Mr Hankinson do with encouraging compliance within the law? Here is a list of the pending court cases, with dates.

Jul/22. South Shropshire Hunt. Daniel Cherriman. Telford MC.
01/08/22. East Essex Hunt. Paul O’Shea. Sentencing
30/08/22. Dunston Harriers. 3 men. Norwich MC.
06/09/22. Wynnstay Hunt. Chris Woodward. Wrexham.
Sept/22. Beaufort Hunt. Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham.
17/10/22. South Dorset Hunt. Mark Pearson. Weymouth MC
15/11/22. Puckeridge Hunt. Arun Squire. Stevenage MC.
16/11/22 Fernie Hunt. William Hansen. Loughborough MC
17/11/22 Belvoir Hunt. John Holliday. Leicester MC.
13/03/23. Quorn Hunt. Chris Mardles. Nottingham CC.

Good job, Mr Hankinson.
————-

Friday 22nd July 2022

There is another court case looming. Three men from the Dunston Harriers have been charged with offences under the Hunting Act. The incident occurred on the 18th January 2022.
They should appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 30th August.
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The hunt known as the North Norfolk Harriers has folded. This seems to be largely due to the activities of the Norwich HS. (Harrier hunts can go after hare and fox but this hunt seemed mainly to concentrate on hare hunting.) The hunt will now host the Nar Valley Bloodhounds who hunt an human scent.
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There are likely to be some court attendances this week, but not necessarily very much in the way of progress.
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Until recently there was a Herefordshire Hunt and a Clifton-on-Teme Hunt. Now there is a Hereford and Clifton Hunt and where once there were two hunts, now there is just one.
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Most of us know that the Met Police Force has been put into special measures.
What may have slipped your attention is that the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Police have also been placed in special measures. They are accused of being unable to respond to the public, protect vulnerable people, and a failure of strategic planning.
The Force blames Government cuts. The local Sabs ponder if the money spent on attending on Hunt days is money well spent.
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Weymouth Animal Rights group released video footage taken on the 8th of March 2022, of Terrier men from the South Dorset Hunt, first digging out a fox alive, and then rescuing their terrier. The fox is put into a box on the quad, as is the terrier. The video had been passed to the Police. The Police said there was insufficient evidence.
Any ordinary person watching the video might feel otherwise.
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Members of Action Against Foxhunting attended Chard Town Council meeting on 11th July 2022. Chard is the venue for the Cotley Harriers Boxing Day meet. AAF is asking the Town Council to consider their relationship with the hunt, possibly asking them not to meet in the town on Boxing Day. The joint master of the Cotley Hunt was also there. She was very upset at the prospect of losing the Boxing Day Meet venue, and issued an invitation for the councillors to come and see the hunt. Pip (AAF) accepted the invitation. However, at this time, no confirmation has been received from the hunt. The date of the visit is likely to be 4th August.  Pip is ready with key questions and is willing to look at REAL evidence that the hunt is trail hunting. But the evidence has to be convincing, otherwise no one will believe them. The Cotley Hunt is very unpopular in Chard, as AAF’s recent survey shows.
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Mark Hankinson’s appeal against his conviction for inciting criminal activity was successful. On 20 July, in Southwark Crown Court, HHJ G Perrins, James Tyerman JP andAlan Elias JP concluded:

“we cannot be sure to the criminal standard that the appellant intended to encourage the commission of a criminal offence. For those reasons the appeal against conviction is allowed”.
In other words, they could not dismiss the defence. While we don’t think that this decision will make any difference to hunting (they continued to hunt anyway, despite the exposé), it is annoying that the guilty man walked free. Also, the CPS have a lot to answer – why only Hankinson in court? Why not the others too?
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The National Trust have stated that they won’t change their minds about banning “trail” hunting from NT land, despite Hankinson’s successful appeal. They remain banned. We are waiting for other landowners (those that also banned the hunt) to respond.
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Wiltshire Rural Crime team unexpectedly made reference to illegal foxhunting in this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=419356576901230&id=100064806723694
Whatever inspired that? Could it be an acknowledgement of their appalling treatment  of sabs at the end of last season? Shame they couldn’t have made this post when the hunts are actually hunting. It’s out of season, so no one will see the hunts until cub hunting starts in August.
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In May Foxy Blether wrote that a friend of Prince William, namely William Van Cutsem, had been subjected to a police raid on his 4,400 acre Hillborough estate near Sandringham. He had a goshawk caught in a ladder trap which was baited with live pigeons. He was outraged that the police and RSPB had help from the Hunt Investigation Team.
The name William Van Cutsem has reared its head again, and this time in a very damning report in the Guardian newspaper.
A Guardian investigation has revealed that dozens of UK laws stipulate that police are barred from entering any of the Queen’s private estates without her consent to investigate crimes ranging from wildlife offences to environmental pollution .
One of the main incidents reported, involved the shooting of two Raptors, in 2007, whilst Prince Harry and a friend (William van Cutsem) were out supposedly shooting duck. Police were barred entry to make a timely search for evidence.
The Guardian reveals that Sandringham has been the focus of successive police and regulatory investigations.
Most of what the Guardian reports on, occurred up to about 2016, but it would appear that Mr Van Cutsem still believes that he is above the law and should not be subject to investigations about his bad behaviour. I suppose the attitude is, what it is good for Prince Harry should be good for him.
So the Royal estates and the Royal children do not get disciplined for what, to most of us, are quite egregious offences and fail to see that they should have standards that recognise we have laws about pesticides and persecution for a reason.
Their neighbours have the same sense of entitlement.
They (the Royals) not do themselves any favours.
Here is the link to the Guardian article:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/15/sandringham-estate-police-barred-investigating-wildlife-crime

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Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century.
18 months ago a pair of Eurasian beavers were released at Hatchmere, near Delamere Forest, by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The beavers have successfully bred in Cheshire, for the first time in more than 400 years. Let’s hope the hunters manage to leave them alone.
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Thank you for reading.

Latest News March 4th 2023
5.23

Hunt Behaviour

On Saturday (18 Feb), North Staffordshire Hunt riders spilled unexpectedly onto a road a collision occurred between a car and a horse with rider. It would appear that the hunt removed themselves from the scene as quickly as possible leaving a rider lying in the road. The car was quite badly damaged, and the driver was shaken although otherwise “ok”.  We believe that both horse and rider were injured. The police and ambulance were quick to attend. (Staffordshire Hunt Sabs and Manchester Hunt Sabs covered the incident.) This incident is relevant for AAF’s Hunt Road Chaos campaign.
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Previous hunt accidents have also involved children.On 04/04/16, nine year old Bonnie Armitage was fatally injured when she was kicked by another horse whilst out with the Cotswold Hunt.
On 18/11/21, the two year old daughter of the master of the Bedale Hunt, Felicity Francis, died after falling from her pony whilst out with the hunt.
On 26/12/22, a 12 year old girl broke her leg whilst out with the Mendip Farmers Hunt for their Boxing Day meet at Priddy Green.
The hunts don’t seem to care about the risks with their children. Let’s hope the most recent accident puts children off hunting for ever.
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As you know, dogs from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a mine shaft on White Alice Farm, Cornwall, and had to be rescued. It turns out that the hunt did not have permission to be on the farm, so they were trespassing. Trespass is a clear indication of illegal foxhunting – hunts cannot expect us to believe they have laid a trail on someone else’s land.
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Fitzwilliam Hunt supporters attacked the vehicle belonging to Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. An attempt to slash the tyres was made, but the knife was dropped, and windscreen wipers were damaged. Being able to hear the attack, the 999 controller advised the driver to do what was necessary to get out of the situation. Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs Facebook page names those involved.

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You may recall that the Avon Vale Hunt was videoed releasing dug out foxes to their hounds resulting in them being suspended by the British Hound Sports Association (revamped version of the Hunting Office). Drone footage taken by sabs of the Avon Vale Kennels, reveals dead hounds on the concrete floor and in an uncovered skip. Biosecurity appears non-existent. Trading standards has been informed in the past but there has been no improvement. Bath Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the footage.
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Mike Smith, senior master at the Avon Vale has also been permanently excluded by the British Hound Sports Association. He did not feature in the video, but the BHSA has decided he has to go as he was presiding over the illegal and cruel behaviour of the hunt. Of course, we don’t trust the motives of the BHSA as we know that what they are trying to do is preserve their “sport” as opposed to cleaning it up. 

On Saturday 25th Feb, two dogs from the Cheshire Hunt were struck by cars. The police appeared to advise them that they had dogs dangerously out of control and sent them packing (possibly with a dispersal notice). As they hacked back to their meet they took the opportunity to hunt yet another fox which sabs saw to safety.
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On 28/02/23  Three Counties Hunt Sabs reported two slashed  tyres, whilst sabbing the Heythrop Hunt and North Cotswolds Hunt.
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On 28/02/23 sabs from  Manchester and Staffordshire experienced an attack on one of their numbers, perpetrated by the Huntsman of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt. The ‘provocation’ for the attack, if you can call it that, was they had obtained video footage of an injured hound with blood on it. Paul Larby’s assault on the sab and the breaking of a camera was recorded on several sab cameras and an investigation is thought to have been opened.  Staffordshire Police attended, but then the West Mercia Police also arrived.
*******

Police

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmer’s Hunt. This CPW is the direct result of a number of groups’ contributions: North London Hunt Sabs, Suffolk and East Essex Hunt Sabs, East Herts Sabs, Herts Wildlife Monitors, not to mention the members of the public who also provided the background evidence so the police could take action. 

East Essex Hunt supporters were ‘put in their place’ by a rebuke from the police who advised them not to block a public road.
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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs’ report on the Cottesmore Hunt from Saturday has some interesting remarks in it. Police witnessed a fox being chased and sabs “remain hopeful that Leicestershire Police in general will deal with this matter in a firmer manner. They (the hunt) are now so out of control that even when approached by police they just shrug and carry on regardless. They have shown recently they have no respect for animals, (wildlife or their own,) the safety of other people, and no respect for the police.”
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Cumbria Hunt Sabs thanked the police for attending the Blencathra Fox Hounds who met on Sunday the 19th.
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Wiltshire Police have claimed, in a convoluted sort of a way, that it is fine for their officers to be associated with an organisation known for criminal activity. They have more than one officer that goes out hunting and they do not see a conflict of interest, nor do they see that it contradicts the oath they took when they assumed office. These officers, and other senior officers, fail to understand that the public should expect all police officers to be “squeaky clean” at all times, including in their private lives. Cheryl Knight, an officer in the Rural Crime Team, is a hunter and connected with the criminal Avon Vale Hunt.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have organised a petition and a demo asking for this officer to be removed from the Rural Crime Team. The demonstration is planned for the 5th of March outside the Devizes Police Headquarters at 13.00. Here is the petition:

https://chng.it/XJJcWgjsbq
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Wiltshire Police continue to make things worse and worse. Their latest unnecessary FB post told us that they are seeking “independent advice” about how to deal with the proposed demo on 5th March, thereby implying that somehow “sabs” are the most violent sort of people. They appear to be fanning the flames. Is this deliberate? Would they like to see some unrest so that they can justify their biased attitude towards anti-hunting activists?
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Wiltshire Police deserve their own dedicated news bulletin, they feature so often in reports. BBC news reports that a former Police Inspector with the Wiltshire police (Ian Stevenson) has pleaded guilty to possessing extreme images involving bestiality. The force is in Special Measures.
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Cheshire Police seem to be one of the few bright spots in the policing of hunts. After a particularly bad hunting day (Ladies Day, Mon 13th) when the Cheshire Hounds seem to antagonise most of the countryside, by trespassing or badly frightening pregnant ewes, and horses, and cows, and treating farmers and landowners with contempt, Cheshire Police took some positive action. On Saturday (18th) they turned up with the intention of catching the hunts red-handed, or at least imposing some discipline upon them. They had officers with three cars, a drone, and most remarkably, two scrambling bikes which moved across the countryside with speed. The drone may even have recorded an active dig out. We are not privy to what the police gleaned from this operation, but it was undoubtedly a significant event.
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West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that the West Midlands Hunt abandoned their day of hunting after another quad bike was stopped, this time by an unmarked police car. (The police had  also stopped a quad bike on 13/02/23).
*******

Investigations and Prosecutions

The personal CCTV covering a Norfolk couple’s back garden revealed the West Norfolk Fox Hounds at large and out of control. They had killed a fox there and the actual kill is recorded on the video. Norfolk Police have arrested three men. Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report, “We believe the men in custody to be Huntsman Mikey Bell, Whipper-in Adam Egginton, and Hunt Master Andrew Kendall. All three men are also under investigation for assault and robbery on one of our female sabs back in October.”

We now know their bail conditions:-
Not to take part in trail hunting activities.
Not to contact or interfere with witnesses.
Not to be in a public place in charge of a dog not on a lead.
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Norfolk Police booked two hunt supporters as they left the Waveny Hunt. One female was booked because she was using her mobile phone whilst driving. At least the police are now more willing to act against hunts and their lawlessness.
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The Times carried an article on Friday 17/02/23 stating that the Wynnstay Hunt was under investigation for illegal blocking of a badger sett. The headline ran, “Hunt run by friend of King Charles…”. The Times have video of the actual interference with the badger sett and the persons involved.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Hunt Master, George, of the Mendip Farmers Hunt using a whip on a hound.  The RSPCA are now investigating.
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Protect the Wild reports that Ryan Thomas Spence who had been convicted of hare coursing, appealed his sentence, and by so doing had the sentence increased. The sixth month driving ban, which was issued alongside his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and £1000 fine, was increased to 2 years beginning from the date of his appeal.
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Perhaps one of the significant developments that has occurred concerning foxhunting is the fact that the above incident was reported on ITV News. Both the BBC and ITV are more willing to report on foxhunting issues, although the ITV appears to be far ahead of the BBC in its willingness.

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Charles Carter and Guy Loader from the Royal Artillery Hunt were issued with Official Warning in accordance with Salisbury Plain Military Byelaws 1981 Sect 4 para 1&2 for deer chase 22 October 2022. Next time expect prosecution, their solicitor being kept busy.

*******
Mass Sab

On 22/02/23 four of the West Country Hunts had a joint meeting which attracted a mass sab. At least 12 different sab groups were involved. Although this was a joint meet by four hunts, the field only amounted to 30 or so riders. Worse from the hunt’s point of view, there were locals objecting to them

Campaigns

A long-haul Boxing Day campaign by AAF Somerset culminated in a show-down at the full public meeting of Somerset County Council on 22 February. Alyson Rogers, Somerset Coordinator, joined Pip Donovan to speak at the meeting. Alyson’s powerful speech, in which she described how she was intimidated, imprisoned and threatened by followers of the Cotley Hunt during their Boxing Day Meet in Chard was picked up by the local press.
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It turns out that practically every county has a Public Space Protection Order making it an offence for an owner to fail to pick up dog faeces – and nearly every one of them has no exemption for hounds. AAF is expecting a large number of hunts to either be fined for offences, or have to get off their horses and (just like everyone else) deploy a poo bag. For more information, click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

 

Opinion

One of the more egregious statements contained in the review of North Wales policing came from one of their eight officers who gave evidence. He clearly showed his bias towards hunts with the statement that it was normally sabs that initiated violence. How would he know? The police are never there when violence kicks off, and if they were, it probably would not kick off in the first place. In making a statement like that, he chose to be loyal to the hunt and not to his own force, who are trying to improve their practices. That to one side, there is a revealing remark in the North Wales Hunt Sabs report on the Flint And Denbigh Hunt (18th Feb). “One supporter then walked over to the vehicle and struck the sab in the face through the open window. Fortunately for the attacker this is just the type of behaviour that the North Wales police tolerate… well from the hunt anyway“.  There has to be a significant change in attitude from the police in North Wales if they want to improve their relationship with animal welfare activists.
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It might be worth reminding ourselves how the Norfolk Police were just a year ago.

Norfolk/Suffolk HS report on the West Norfolk Fox Hounds for 07/02/22:

“… A further three 999 calls were made, each time the call handler told the sab that they were trying to get to them but each time no one came.“

Further down the same report, “A further 999 call was made but this time the Sab was treated like a nuisance, told that the police had already been and that this incident had been dealt with and then hung up on the desperate Sab as the hounds continued to chase a fox in front of her.“

“At approximately 4 pm the hunt headed in the direction of the meet just as a police car appeared at the meet also. Police appeared to have a nice friendly chat with the hunters who had by now enjoyed a full five hours of hunting and chasing Mammals with hounds, contrary to the hunting act.”

This following link to an article on the Avon Vale Hunt and Wiltshire Police is an eye opener.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/good-riddance-to-the-avon-vale-hunt/?fbclid=IwAR0sFPiSifTljPUrLmacnBf11faVV0AzF1rAJFq776Sw-t0mYi0vspqBZ_E&h=AT03AQjD6mNi4x2XfN9jfs_rsT1Lzj4HF_FP73v1vhtNlDhuFE8vyRpSEw6Pw8YadPrWy9AZLKznNIFZlNQRthvltx-ty1UBjsdQDduXbJKJqldh8BpBEEjL8_gClXpz5k0neJRYeL1MG6o&s=1

 

Latest News 18th Feb 2023
4.23

Investigations & prosecutions

On Wed 8^th Feb, ITV released footage of the Avon Vale Hunt (AVH) digging out two foxes and releasing them in front of hounds. (This is the same hunt that attacked a sab last March causing a bleed on the brain.) On Friday, three members of the hunt were arrested. Yesterday, Tuesday 14/02/23, a further two people (a man and a woman) both aged 25, were arrested and subsequently released pending further investigation.
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Myles O’Connor of the Scottish Buccleuch Hunt was due in court on 14/02/23 due to illegal hunting. We all hope the hunt will not survive the change in Scottish law.
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Cottesmore huntsman, Sam Jones, was videoed jumping a gateway and landing on a sab. He has now been arrested by Leicestershire Police. (The shocking video can be seen on the Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs Facebook page as well as the BBC news website.)
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Georgina Price of the Royal Artillery Hunt has accepted a police caution for having used her horse in an attempt to ride down two Sabs. This is the hunt that uses MOD land on Salisbury Plain and the one that Ben Wallace MP supports. The offence occurred on 05/11/22.  Surrey Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the video.
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A hunt supporter from the Beaufort Hunt was fined by Gloucester Police for “disorder” on 21st November 2022. He drove erratically and threatened a sab. Police concluded the investigation and informed sabs on 14th Feb 2023.
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Police

Warwickshire Police who issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Public Control Notice (PCN), pulled over another of the hunt’s quads again this week. The landowning rider of the quad had two terrier dogs with him.
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Chief Superintendent Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Force is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for hunting. In an article in The Times on 13th Feb, he publicly praised Wiltshire Hunt Sabs for the work they’ve been doing and for helping to deal with the Avon Vale Hunt and its dig out of foxes to be released to hounds. Chief Superintendent Longman wants: “police forces to work with the “volunteers” who monitor hunts so they [the volunteers] could learn how to provide the kind of evidence, such as unedited and time-stamped footage, that could lead to successful prosecutions.” Mr Longman also revealed there had been a sea change in the way that police understand hunting across England and Wales, (particularly as a result of the successful prosecution of Mark Hankinson). We also learned that ”Two police forces in England and Wales are now treating hunts operating in their areas as Organised Crime Groups.“  The change is due, in part to a number of high-ranking police officers having the courage to challenge the general police ethos – that hunts tell the truth and animal welfare volunteers are just trouble makers.
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Cast your mind back to Lacock on Boxing Day 2021. Laura Hughes, a serving Wiltshire Police Officer and member of the Avon Vale Hunt, was one of three officers who failed to keep the peace at the demonstration. Officer Hughes made things a great deal worse by yelling in the face of protesters and, later on, Wiltshire Police denied that her presence was inflammatory. Are Wiltshire Police planning on rethinking that conclusion, now we all know that AVH have been caught hunting illegally?
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Nottinghamshire Hunt Sabs have a special comment in their report from 02/02/23 on their sab of the Burton Hunt. “Special mention to the truly (expletive deleted) useless pair from Lincolnshire Police who timed their arrival perfectly to miss all the illegal hunting and still give sabs a hard time.” There is a lot of bitterness towards the police this year. Is this because some forces are changing their attitude towards illegal hunting and sab groups feel that all forces should be changing?
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Hunts are finding that not all police can be relied on to dance to the hunt’s tune. East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt called the police because they were being followed from the kennels and were claiming harassment. When the police arrived, the sabs pointed out that the brake lights on the hound trailer were not working and the numberplate on the trailer did not match the towing vehicle. The police ignored the harassment complaint, but advised the driver of the hound van that he was not legal to continue. A little later,  hounds from this hunt were seen chasing a fox across Barkway Golf Course. The huntsman was nowhere in sight, so sabs tried to round them up in case they were hit by a golf ball.  
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South Coast Hunt Sabs report that the Sussex Police delayed them while they did a vehicle check. Since sab vehicles are regularly targeted by the police the vehicles are always completely above board. If police were also seen to check hunt vehicles, this would not be such a bone of contention – but it is rare for any sab group to report this happening.
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After a generally held view that the Cheshire police were improving, last Saturday a kennel watcher was delayed by a Police Sergeant at the entrance to the Cheshire Forest Hunt kennels and when questioned about the timing of his tactics, he did not deny that it was intended to let the hunt out. As the public are becoming more aware of the criminality of hunts particularly in the last few weeks, it might be advisable for the police to make sure they have a consistent policy that is defendable. Appearing to help criminality is unacceptable.

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Hunt behaviour

The Hunting Office (HO) now renamed the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is thought to have been in possession of the AVH  footage for several weeks and it is reported that the event occurred on 20/12/22. The BHSA advised hunts not to take terriers out this weekend. This advice was widely ignored by hunts. The BHSA, in a desire to appear authoritative and in control dismissed the AVH from their organisation. They feigned shock at the appalling conduct of the hunt but have taken no action against Mr Ollie Finnegan who has very recently pleaded guilty to illegal foxhunting and is now with the Cheshire Hounds.
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Last week we heard about the demise of the Fife Fox Hounds. This week we can report that there is an advertisement inviting a professional or amateur to apply for the role of Huntsman to the Fife Bloodhounds. It looks as though Fife is to get a new bloodhound pack.
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Rumour Control has it that the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt will fold at the end of this season. It has yet to be confirmed.
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The Essex Farmers Hunt, tried to use speed to get away from the North London Sabs. The sabs described it saying,  “it was more like sabotaging a steeple chase!” This hunt was minus its terrier men – were they (unlike many other hunts) actually doing what their governing body advised and not engaging in terrier work?

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Bristol Hunt Sabs report that the Berkeley Hunt hunted through a deer park on Saturday 11^th Feb, where all dogs are supposed to be on leads.

At the end of the hunting day on 1st Feb, the Huntsman from the Weston and Banwell Hunt reversed his hound trailer into the sab vehicle damaging the bumper. He refused to provide insurance details and the dash cam footage has been forwarded to the police.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs had tyres slashed while out with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds on the 11/02/23. They had already seen death of a hunted fox. Levels of violence are expected to increase in Scotland for the last few weeks of this season, as the change in the law might well finish off some of the Scottish hunts. Since police often say they are not there to stop hunting but to make sure there is no breach of the peace, we hope the Scottish Police are sufficiently on the ball to recognise that violence perpetrated towards sabs is likely to be at an all-time high. It is thought their huntsman, Fraser Campbell is going down to Cheshire for next season.
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On 1st February, Three Counties Hunt Sabs report on the Worcestershire Hunt tells us that a sab ”was held up looking after a disabled gentleman at the church who said he had been assaulted by the terriermen, who had punched him to the floor and stolen his walking stick. Our sab called West Mercia Police and paramedics, and he was taken to hospital with a really swollen face to be checked over from potential fractures to his neck, eye socket, cheek, jaw, and probably other parts of his body.”
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On 7^th Feb, hounds from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a disused mine shaft near Porkellis, Cornwall, whilst the hunt was out hunting foxes in the area. It’s believed three hounds fell in, but sabs noted that the hunt (who continued their activities despite the accident) had far fewer hounds than usual, so they suspected the number of hounds in the mine was greater than they made out. The hounds were all rescued overnight.
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On 4th February, The Bicester Hunt invaded an alpaca farm and terrified pregnant females.  The owner was furious and expected an apology from the hunt. But as none was forthcoming, he phoned the hunt master and interrupted his dinner to ask what exactly he and his hounds were playing at trespassing on his land.

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Public Outrage

Is the hunts’ grip on the countryside is slipping? Last Monday (13th) the sabs in Cheshire encountered a farmer who was so angry with the Cheshire Hunt that he seized his shotgun and discharged two shots into the air to warn the hunt and hounds to get off his land. This was in addition to a number of furious sheep farmers, a horse-owner trying to ensure the pack didn’t encroach on their farm and another farmer who was quietly helpful. The Countryside Alliance claims to represent all rural people. However, it only represents those who are pro-foxhunting. It does not represent rural people who object to fox hunting, and these people are in the majority, as indicated by AAF’s  Rural Survey from 2022.
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Mike Hill

This week saw the 32nd anniversary of the death of Mike Hill. He died under the back wheels of a trailer driven by a hunt member who was careering wildly down the road trying to throw the sabs out of the trailer. The police weren’t interested and the driver is still engaged in hunting activities.
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Chief Vet is a hunter

Liz Gorse is the Chief Vet for the British Hounds Sports Association and she hunts with the Cheshire Forest. In 2020 her son was convicted and was “banned from caring, breeding and farming animals for the next 10 years“. 8 Cows, 3 calves and 2 sheep were found dead and decomposing on the farm. Liz Gorse the owner of the farm.

actually, People don’t hate foxes

Students from the Royal Agricultural University seriously misjudged the opinion of the majority when they thought it would be a good idea to strap a dead fox to the roof of their car for a charity rally. Like those who fox hunt, they believe that foxes deserve to be treated cruelly and justify it by calling them “pests”. However, the delusional students failed to anticipate the public backlash. They are now waiting for disciplinary action by the University.   

Campaigns

AAF have launched two new “Catch them at it and Report it” campaigns – Hound Faeces and Road Chaos. In public areas, hunts should pick up after their hounds, but generally, they don’t bother. This includes grass verges on country lanes. If they do not – and they are reported – they should be fined.

Also, hunts cannot take risks with their own safety or the safety of others on  roads.  Again, report them. All information you need can be found on these links:

Hunt Road Chaos Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-reporting-it-to-the-health-and-safety-executive/

Hound Faeces Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

Landowners

Do you know of a landowner who allows hunting on their land? If the prosecution of the land-owning Drewetts is successful, all landowners should think twice before allowing the hunt on their land. Download this letter, print it and send it to the landowners.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Letter-to-Landowner-Oct-22.pdf

 

 

Latest News 4th Feb 2023
3.23

BAD NEWS FOR HUNTS

The Airedale Beagles pack has folded. They had been hunting hares since 1891 and this was one of the oldest beagle packs in the country.
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Fife Fox Hounds Hunt has come to an end. This was a 200 year old hunt, finished (we believe) because of the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
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On 24/01/23, the Scottish Government voted to pass the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It doesn’t look water tight, but nonetheless it is seen as a big improvement. Trail hunting is included in the ban. Banning trail hunting in Scotland is a pre-emptive move. The new bill has removed the Scottish hunts’ means of getting around the existing Scottish legislation, which was different from the English legislation.  The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 allows hunts to use a whole pack of dogs to “flush a fox to guns”, meaning the hunts could effectively hunt as they always had. On the other hand, English law limits the number of dogs used to “flush a fox” to two, meaning the hunts had to find another “legal” way of continuing to hunt with a full pack – hence the invention of “trail hunting” which (they claimed) only mimicked real hunting. Fully aware that trail hunting is a smokescreen for fox hunting, the Scottish Government has wisely prevented it from starting.

*******

INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Further details have emerged about the police raid on 18/01/23. Six men were  arrested and 22 dogs seized in a police operation involving Kent, Norfolk, Sussex, and Thames Valley police, and the RSPCA.  The Guardian reports, “it is understood that they were suspected of acting as terrier men, preventing foxes going to ground so the mammals can be caught by dogs.” Evidence from their phones could be crucial.
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Mark Harris, terrier man for the Spooners and West Dartford Hunt, has been found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992). He caused a terrier to enter a protected sett. He said he was instructed to flush and kill the fox by the huntsman Guy Morlock. Mr Harris was ordered to pay a fine of £1000, a victim surcharge of £100 and Crown costs of £900.
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A few weeks ago, the CPS dropped a case against a hunt supporter for attacking a sab, causing a brain bleed. The victim has asked the CPS for a review and this has been accepted.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

North London Hunt Sabs Facebook page show a very brief video of the quad bike assault on their sab. The hunt involved is the East Essex Hunt. The date of the incident was 14/01/23. Police are taking the incident very seriously and are investigating.
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On Sunday 29^th January, Weymouth Animal Rights and AAF met in Milborne Saint Andrew to protest outside the South Dorset Hunt’s Point to Point event. After the hound display, protesters noticed that one dog had been left behind and was running about alone. Hunt staff took no action. The frightened dog struggled through a hedge and out into the road, running in front of cars, queueing to enter the event. While none of those attending the event showed any concern, protesters immediately went to help the dog. Eventually, a member of the hunt came out and approached the dog, who cowered when he grabbed her.
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The Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt turned up at Bellever Forestry Commission car park, probably hoping to trespass on FC land, from which they are banned. However, they found sabs (Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs) already there, so they moved on.

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POLICE

North Wales Police accepted assurances from the Flint and Denbigh that they were not going out hunting on 21/01/23, but once they thought the coast was clear the F and D went out hunting in the afternoon. The sabs were on to it very quickly, not so the police.
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On Saturday (28/01/23) the Wynnstay pursued a fox. The Cheshire Monitors hit report states, “… but we were very grateful to locals for joining in to stop them and the police officers standing guard over a fox they’d seen running for its life!”
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Cheshire monitors report for the Wynnstay Hunt on the 29th of January includes the paragraph, “the police that attended all day were good this week and we were really pleased with their input. It’s a shame it can’t always be like that.“
*******

sabs

On Saturday 21/01/23 there was a “mass sab” of the South Dorset Hunt, with perhaps as many as 18 different  groups being involved. The mass sab was to indicate support for the local groups who had had a lone monitor beaten with metal bar.  During the day, another sab was run down by a terrier man on a quad. Sabs have also endured violence and intimidation and had 17-19 tyres slashed in one short period. Dorset Police have a sergeant that goes fox hunting.
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The Severn Vale Beagles was successfully sabbed by the Severn Vale Hunt Sabs. All the beagle packs are vulnerable to sabbing, and this one, too, is feeling pressure. Beagle packs hunt hares and the hunt are on foot.
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The independent review of the North Wales Constabulary policing of  hunts was published on 12/01/23. The Countryside Alliance then published a number of articles focusing on  parts of the report that appeared to discredit saboteurs. However, Protect the Wild has also reviewed the report and their conclusion is the police should just do their job properly.
*******

CAMPAIGNS

AAF (Action Against Foxhunting) have examined 2022 Boxing Day and New Year’s Day town meets and catalogued the results. Given the number of hunts involved this was a mammoth task. They also offer to assist anyone who wants to see their local hunt ousted from their town. They have developed expertise which they are happy to share. The link lets you view their opus, and is an easy read summary.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meet-2022-roundup/
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AAF is also stepping up their campaign to challenge the hunts abuse of roads, where they are always causing obstructions and chaos. Further advice can be found here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-and-healthsafety/

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

To see all previous issues, click here: https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/headlines/

 

Latest news 20th January 23

2/23

Prosecutions

Gamekeeper Paul Scott Allen admitted guilt in Weymouth Magistrates Court. Sentencing is due on 16/02/23. The offences occurred over a period of time. Allen pleaded guilty to seven charges – two of possession of six dead buzzards, and the remains of three more; three charges of keeping banned pesticides and two charges of failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and firearms certificates. 
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On 06/01/23, the trial of Shaun Parish, 33, and Jacob Whalley, 30, of Milton Park in Peterborough was postponed as a witness was unable to attend. It will take place on May 11 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. The men, from the Fitzwilliam Hunt are charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs on March 5^th last year.
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Hartley Crouch, Whipper-in for the Pytchley Hunt, has been successfully prosecuted by Northamptonshire Police. He stole a pet sheep, killed it, skinned it, and fed it to the hounds. The charge was theft. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £775 in costs £150 in compensation and a surcharge of £22.
Late news: Mr Crouch was sacked by the Pytchley and then was going to go to the Beauvoir Hunt. They dropped him, but he is now a whipper-in with the Cottesmore Hunt.
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Andrew Pope, a long time follower of the Weston & Banwell Hunt, admitted guilt to the police and was given a conditional caution. On 21 Dec 21, he tailgated a sab vehicle, and used a thick heavy stick to hit the vehicle windows. The windows stayed intact, but Pope forced his way into the back of the vehicle and started to attack the sabs with the stick. One sab from WAR sustained heavy bruising to their knee and side of their body. This aggressive outburst was witnessed by Pope’s young child. Pope agreed to write a letter of apology to the injured sab. If he repeats this behaviour, he will go straight to court.

******

Corruption

After Ben Wallace MP and Minister of Defence, decided to terminate the arrangement allowing the League Against Cruel Sports to monitor the Royal Artillery Hunt on Salisbury Plain, the Quorn took it upon themselves to hunt on a military base. The land in question is at the Defence Animal Training Centre in Melton Mowbray. Objections to the hunts’ use of MOD land are ongoing, but those who a manage the land (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) refuse to make any changes.

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Police

On 18/01/23, together with the RSPCA, police raided the home of a terrier man from the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The hunt killed a fox on Saturday 14^th Jan, and assaulted sabs.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Eggesford Hunt making a kill on New Year’s Day. Devonshire police did attend the meet, but they didn’t stay to watch any of the actual hunting. In contrast, on 04/01/23 Cheshire police officers left their cars and proceeded on foot across fields in pursuit of the Cheshire Hounds.
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In September last year, Leicestershire Police had a zoom meeting where various anti hunt persons  (including AAF) were invited to attend. The two officers representing Leicestershire Police were genuine and they want to work more closely with anti-hunting groups. However, Northants Hunt Sabs report that on 7^th January while sabbing the Cottesmore Hunt, the sab vehicle was delayed by an Leicestershire police officer who insisted on checking Insurance validation and driver details.

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On 08/01/23, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report for that Wiltshire Police were “hobnobbing” with a shooting party  but performed no vehicle checks. However the numberplate WV** AFY was out with the shoot and its MOT expired 22/12/22. 
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On 10/01/23, Will Goffe from the Warwickshire Hunt, (the hunt with the Community Protection Notice), spent 30 minutes hiding in a quarry with the hounds whilst Warwickshire Police were in the vicinity.
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On 07/01/23, Sheffield Hunt Sabs posted a video of sabs confronting the man with a knife who had just slashed their tyres. The attacker was arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, something that probably would not have occurred without the temerity and presence of mind of the Sheffield Sabs.
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An independent review of the policing of hunts in North Wales has been published. It was commissioned by the PCC for North Wales Police and it is probably most intended for his reading although no doubt others will be pouring over it.
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On 30/09/22, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull’s car was surrounded by aggressive men and one man attempted to gain entry. He damaged the vehicle while making threats of violence. The group provided statements and video evidence to the police. Part of the police response reads, “after reviewing all the evidence my sergeant has made the decision to take no further action regarding this incident due to evidential reasons.” Previously, Wiltshire Police refused to take action against the hunt member who threw a sab into a ditch resulting in a bleed on the brain.
*******

Hunt Behaviour and violence

On 14/01/23, West Kent Hunt Hunt Sabs filmed Matthew Vater, the huntsman with the East Kent Hunt with West Street, repeatedly riding at a sab. He later knocked one female sab into the air with his horse. They also killed a fox in front of sabs.
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On 07/02/1/23 female members of Cumbria Hunt Sabs were threatened and then attacked by members of North Cumberland Foxhounds.
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On 14/01/23, Cheshire Hounds held a three way joint meet with the Tynedale Hunt and the North Staffordshire Hunt. A hunt member threatened to break both the arms of a sab and also those of an independent monitor. The threat is recorded and the police have the information.
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The Wynnstay Hunt made it into the national press with the Mirror showing the video clip of the huntsman charging his horse at the Cheshire monitor’s runner and half screaming “I’ll kill you.” The incident happened on 7^th January.

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On 07/01/23, Cheshire Against Bloodsports report that Cheshire Hounds appeared to cause the death of a pregnant ewe. They are very complementary about the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, who actually took details of the huntsman from the huntsman.
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On 14/01/23, another sheep died after the Grafton Hunt went through a field full of pregnant ewes. The farmer said “The sheep were now mixed with a neighbour’s flock and one was dead in the river”. Police are investigating.
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On 14/01/23,, the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hunted on MOD land.  A local resident reported the killing of a fox but the hunt have denied it.

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On 10/01/23, Sheffield Sabs were again attacked, and the video evidence is extensive. The attacker continued whilst being filmed by various cameras. At that same meet of the Grove and Rufford, hounds trespassed and ran along an active railway line not long before a train passed. Again there is video evidence of the trespass.

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On 14/01/23, West Sussex Hunt Sabs had a rough time. The vehicle was blocked by a dairy stockman and then driven into from the side by a woman from the farm, using a low loader – a bailer with forks attached. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. The report does not say how well covered this incident is with video but the police appear to have been informed.

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The South Dorset Hunt are suspected of a number of violent and unpleasant incidents. On 14/01/23, a member of Weymouth Animal Rights found two dead foxes in her back garden. Both animals had met violent deaths. On the same day, a monitor watching the South Dorset Hunt was hit in the back by a projectile – possibly a ball bearing fired from a catapult. The monitor was seriously bruised. Police were called and spoke to convicted hunt master, Mark Pearson. A police firearms team arrived. WAR report that “unbelievably they (the police) did not search the suspects or even pull them over”.
Additionally, North Dorset Hunt Sabs had another vehicle tyre incident. The report reads “after the hunt had finished a sab was driven to collect her car and on arrival was informed by a resident that a masked, hooded quad person had started letting down the tyres. He was prevented from completing the task when a police officer appeared who was about to leave for duty.
A couple of weeks ago, the South Dorset Hunt were suspected of slashing of 17-19 tyres belonging to animal welfare persons. They are also suspected of assaulting a monitor with a metal bar.
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On 14/01/23, a Land Rover from the Worcester Hunt drove at foot sabs from the Herefordshire Hunt Sabs. The sab vehicle was also attacked.
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On 14/01/23, The Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed terrier men netting the exit of an artificial earth and preparing to put a terrier down another entrance. The sab group was  pleased with a police response, saying: “Gloucestershire Police attended promptly, efficiently, and the matter is being dealt with.”
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On 14/01/23, Mendip Farmers Hunt hunted through Chew Valley Animal Park. The owner described how hounds were in cry and jumping into animal pens with terrified goats and camels and traumatising other resident animals. There is CCTV evidence of the trespass. The Mendip Farmers Hunt continued, trespassing on more private land upsetting the landowners horses.

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Other News

On 14/01/23, West Cornwall Hunt Sabs found something else to do after turning up at the Western Hunt meet and finding nothing going on. They tell us: “We spotted this little dude (a bird) sat in the middle of the road about to get squished! He was all hunched and soaked in a puddle. Never flinched when we scooped him up. We have a fantastic bird rehabber on the team. Luckily, it looks like he had just got a bit cold and wet. With a check over and dried off under a heat lamp he was fit to fly free again.”

 

Check that you’ve signed this petition:
https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Latest News  7 January 2023

1/23

Coming Soon

“Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Meets” – Special edition of Latest News  coming soon. If you went to a meet, please tell AAF about it here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/data-collection-boxing-day-2022-and-new-years-day-meets-2023/

 

POLICE

The Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. In May, they issued the Hunt with a warning notice about the antisocial use of the country road network but the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN. The Police statement reads:- “The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point.Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“

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This is a sentence from the East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs: –

“Every week they kill foxes, block us in, break the law, but when we call the police they very rarely attend, when the hunts call them full of lies and fabricated stories they turn up then harass.”

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The West Kent Hunt Sabs also understand about police harassment. On 17th December, police arrested a sab for standing outside the kennels and his offence was… harassment!

(The video of the incident leading to the arrest shows that the sab was arguing with the police, and this was too much for them to bear and so he was arrested for whatever came into their mind. In this case harassment.) Kent Police are being advised by an ex huntsman whose name is Mike Bax. There is now a petition asking for the removal of Mike Bax as an advisor to the Kent police. Additionally, the Kent Police Officer, Bethan Dumbarton-Scott, is in a relationship with the East Kent huntsman Matthew Vater.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-mike-bax-as-key-advisor-to-kent-police-on-rural-crime

Please sign it.

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Cast your mind back to 2016, and you might remember PC Claire Ford said she was off-duty but nonetheless took it upon herself to assist the Cheshire Hounds by removing sabs from the area they were hunting. She was driving around on a quad at the time.The police review said that she was preventing a breach of the peace. The police investigation whitewashed her offences but she was moved to routine policing in Congleton. To the best of our knowledge she did not go out again, supporting the hunt. PC Claire Ford (now, Claire Roberts) has now, not only been dismissed from the Cheshire Police Force but has incurred a suspended prison sentence (8 months suspended for 18 months), 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. She imparted information gleaned through the police to a private individual. The conduct was detected by Staffordshire Police, and Cheshire police did an audit of her use of the police computers. There are elements of the police force that would like to work closer with sabs, but the sabs will not work with them, they are not trusted. This case highlights how untrustworthy some police can be. You wouldn’t even need access to the police computers if you are a hunt sympathiser and in the police force. You could form your own WhatsApp group (like the Charing Cross police) and information can flow freely but undetected. And yet police forces throughout the country continue to accept police officers within their ranks who are clearly involved with hunts.

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Wiltshire Police learned from last year’s riot at the Avon Vale Hunt’s Boxing Day Meet in Lacock. Last year, an officer who rides with the hunt attended the meet, violence erupted and several hunt supporters were prosecuted and convicted. This year, officers were asked to step out if they had any association with a hunt. Police also booked some hunt supporters for illegal parking. If police really do want to improve relations with hunt sabs and monitors, they should follow Wiltshire’s lead, and at the very least, ask officers if they are associated with the hunt in any way before allowing them to attend calls relating to hunting activity.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 22/12/22 the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt were hosted at the Horsehill Farm Livery, the running of which is assisted by a serving Dorset police officer. The parents of the officer go out with the hunt. On 22 November, The BSV were videoed encouraging hounds to chase a fox out of its hiding place in a hollow tree. The video very clearly shows illegal hunting. However, to date, no Dorset officer has been assigned this case to investigate. We don’t believe this is a coincidence.

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North London Hunt Sabs report that last February the Puckeridge Hunt were able to co-opt the police force to the hunt’s benefit. Since then, the sabs have engaged with the Hertfordshire Police who have had some relevant training arranged and provided by the League Against Cruel Sports. This year the Puckeridge Hunt was not able to co-opt the police as their private security.
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On 29/12/22 supporters from The South Dorset Hunt got a bit uppity and drove dangerously at the sab Landy. The police were called. Two cars turned up within minutes. Dash cam footage is being forwarded to the police. The police, having been requested, remained for the rest of the day.
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The Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs page report for the 31/12/22 meet states,  “the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt were yesterday challenged by police officers from Essex Police Rural Engagement  Team. Weapons and phones were seized after a member of the public… was assaulted…by” members of the hunt.  If the Essex Police follow through with their investigations they will be held in high regard by much of the animal welfare community.

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Hunt Behaviour and Violence

Tue 19/12/22 –  Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) report that two supporters of the South Dorset Hunt attacked a hunt monitor with a metal bar. He had serious head injuries as well as injuries to his hands and body and he was robbed of his camera. Their Huntsman, Mark Pearson was found guilty of fox hunting on 19/10/22. The victim – a well-known, longstanding, deeply-respected monitor, received immense support from the rest of the Dorset anti-blood sports community, not to mention four very nice bottles of red wine from AAF.  Will Dorset Police take action?  (Last March the Wiltshire police had video evidence relating to an attack on a sab, which left him in a ditch with a bleed on the brain. After a delay of over six months the Wiltshire police then dropped the case.)-On Boxing Day, supporters from the same hunt (South Dorset) slashed 19 tyres on WAR’s vehicles. The hunt PR system got into action as by the following morning (27th Dec) the front page of the Telegraph had an anodyne 2 column inches (and further coverage about hunts on Page 6) asking members not to engage with sabs. The DT deprived their readership of information indicating how extensive and pre planned this vandalism was. Of the 19 tyres slashed, four occurred as the hunt set out from the meet, with non-hunt participants having their car surrounded and all four tyres slashed. This triggered a response from the Police Armed Response Unit as it involved knife crime. (Don’t all tyre slashing events involve knife crime)? Weymouth Animal Rights and North Dorset Hunt Sabs both got their vehicles retyred in record time and were on the scene for sabbing duties by 12 noon, much to the hunt’s chagrin, as they believed they had neutralised the sabs for their day’s hunt.

(Weymouth Animal Rights Facebook page gives a fuller account.)
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Two more tyres slashed courtesy of Grove and Rufford, and one courtesy of the Isle of Wight Hunt.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 21/12/22 they were escorting the Western and Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt back to their kennels when there was an attack on the sab vehicle. The assailant had swerved in front of them forcing them to stop, grabbed a hefty walking stick and then proceeded to attack the vehicle, open the back door and apparently attack the sabs as well. They have clear video footage of the incident which is being submitted to the police, who incidentally were in attendance very quickly.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs report the Boxing Day Meet of the Eggesford Hunt resulted in two violent events. The Huntsman Jason Marles struck a sab on the head with the handle of his riding crop. A supporter rammed a sab with a quad causing a leg injury.
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Sabs from various groups sabbed the Wynnstay and Cheshire Hounds this week. A terrier quad tried to reverse into a sab and then drove forward deliberately striking a sab on the arm. Police were called and did respond.
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The East Yorkshire Coast Sabs caught on camera a head-butting assault on one of their sabs. They will pass it to the police but are not confident of any action or reaction from them.
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The Warwickshire Hunt, the hunt with the Public Community Notice (CPN) was out on the 28th. Their conduct was clearly modified by the presence of Warwickshire Rural Police and they had to abandon the chase of a fox. The hunt still managed to get themselves filmed causing traffic disruption on the A425, which is very unwise. It would appear that 2 police forces showed a presence as the Northants police also turned up, but their objective seemed to be to have been to put pressure on the sabs, which failed miserably, and might even cause a certain amount of conflict between forces. Let’s hope so. On the 29th the hunt was out again and Will Goffe was asked if he had notified the police specifically of times they were crossing roads (in compliance with the CPN)… because the sabs had (noted it). 

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Mass Sabbing

On 2 Jan, Surrey Hunt sabs were joined by a number of other groups – South Coast, Brighton, Reading, Kingston, some Irish sabs from Connacht & Leinster and Surrey Hunt Monitors – to spoil the Surrey Union’s day. The hunt met next to Hankley Common – MOD land. They packed up by 2pm. Some locals (with children) thanked the sabs for being there and we have it on good authority that the children firmly believe that sabs are heroes (we agree).
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Corruption

Ben Wallace MP, ex Sandhurst, and Minister for Defence has suspended a memorandum of understanding with the League against Cruel Sports (LACS) whereby the MOD would inform LACS of where the hunt would take place so they could monitor the hunt for legal activity. The outcome of that is, of course, to help a hunt, particularly the Royal Artillery Hunt. It also openly indicates that the party of Law and Order thinks that Law and Order should not inhibit the hunt from their illegal activity. The HSA has released a censored email showing the frustration of MOD staff in dealing with the RA Hunt stating that any other organisation behaving the way the hunt behaved, would be banned from MOD land ( notably Salisbury Plain). The email also showed that the hunt were booking to hunt on one part of the Plain, while actually intending to hunt in a different area. The arrangement with LACS was mentioned and hey presto, it was AFTER this that Mr Wallace decided to end it, citing bad behaviour by LACS!

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Investigations, prosecutions and convictions

Thu 22/12/22 West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that Gavin Field, a core member of the Warwickshire Hunt ,accepted a caution under section 4A of the Public Order Act for causing fear, alarm or distress after he was filmed stealing the keys from a sab vehicle and running off with them. He then threw them over the hedge shouting “here’s your f***g keys“.
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The Essex and Suffolk Hunt were caught red-handed digging out a fox. On Boxing Day, while their Master was making the oddest of speeches at their meet, Suffolk Against Foxhunting slipped away and found terrier men  loitering around a badger set, and while they were asking them what they thought they were playing at, a beautiful fox popped out of the hole. Police are investigating.

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Struggling Hunts

East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt will amalgamate with the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt next year.

The Cheshire Monitors’ take on the Wynnstay Hunt makes interesting reading. They really do feel the hunt is under pressure in every way… a huntsman having to lie under oath over and over again, locals standing up against the hunt and feeding information back to the monitors, money troubles, and strife within their own camp.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any inaccuracies, or would like to give feedback, please either leave a comment or email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

 

Latest News 17 December 2022

Hunt Behaviour

Many hunts decided not to go out this week because of the very cold weather. This gave sabs, monitors and wildlife a bit of a break. The Wynnstay ventured out on foot but when the huntsman realised he had sabs present, he returned to base.
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The Warwickshire Hunt Sabs provided film footage taken on the 22nd October of the Warwickshire Hunt verbally abusing a sab and using the term “Fatty” 28 times. The Independent newspaper covered the story and shows the footage on its 30/11/22 online edition. Now that’s it is in the public domain, I doubt if the huntsman feels quite as smug as he felt when he was taunting the sab.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs have a report of an ordeal they had with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox Hounds, who were trying to kill a fox that had gone to ground. The violence against the one or two female sabs is appalling. It will be interesting to see if the police take any action on this because it is one of the worst examples of hunt violence that I have come across.
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The Wynnstay are advertising for a new huntsman. Chris Woodward (the defendant in the case which was dropped – see below) is leaving. North Wales Hunt Sabs also report that some of the masters of that hunt are leaving and maybe the whipper-in too. There may be some dissent within their ranks.
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The day after Mr Finnegan of the Cheshire Hounds was convicted of foxhunting (Tue 6/12/22) he was again out hunting. During the course of that day his terrierman assaulted sabs. Two members of North Wales Hunt Sabs were run in to by the quad. When Mr Finnegan committed the  offence to which he admitted guilt, he was enjoying a joint meeting with the Ledbury Hunt. Despite this, Herefordshire Council have granted permission for the Ledbury Hunt to hold their Boxing Day meet in Ledbury town centre. It seems criminality is not an obstacle to self promotion or council endorsement. Ledbury Hunt have actually claimed that they know nothing at all of the conviction.
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North Dorset Hunt Sabs also a report a serious assault of a lone female sab, on 5^th December 2022.
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On 10^th December, Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt drove his car at a monitor, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. While his victim was on the ground, Carter took his camera. It was later found, smashed. A serious altercation then occurred between the monitors and the hunt. Police were called, but as this was Wiltshire, no action was taken. Carter (who has had TWO cases of illegal foxhunting dropped by the CPS, one due to a procedural error) is the “competent person” who wrote the risk assessment for the hunt.

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Court

On 11/12/22 Cheshire monitors released the footage which the CPS considered was insufficient evidence to pursue a case of foxhunting against Chris Woodward of the Wynnstay Hunt. In court the hunt members attempted to intimidate the witness who was willing to stand and give evidence. Another witness would not give evidence for fear of reprisals.
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6/12/22, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court: Ollie Finnegan now Huntsman with the Cheshire Hounds, has pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7/1/22, whilst he was the Huntsman with the Quorn Hunt. Leicestershire Police force seized his phone and found incriminating text messages, which furthered the case against him.
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Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham from the Beaufort Hunt were due in Swindon Magistrates Court on 8^th and 9^thDecember 2022. There had been numerous previous hearings and much public money spent. On the morning of the 8^th, the case was suddenly and inexplicably dropped. The Beaufort is King Charles’ hunt. His good friend, Lord Mancroft is also part of it. We can’t think why it was dropped…
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John Lewis of the Lamerton Hunt was due in Plymouth Magistrates Court on 09/12/22, charged with having dogs dangerously out of control. The offence occurred 5/2/22. The result of this case is not yet known but it is interesting that the offence refers to dogs dangerously out of control.

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Police

Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team report on their Facebook page that they have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. They say they have done this because they issued the hunt with a warning notice in May 2022 about the anti-social use of the country road network. They say that the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN.
“ The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point. Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“ Because of the right to appeal, it is obviously not a done deal yet, but this will send shockwaves through the hunting community and through the various organisations that offer them tacit protection.
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On Sat (3/12/22) Kent Police positioned themselves to stop sab vehicles outside of the East Kent Hunt kennels, thereby denying the sabs the opportunity to follow the hunt to its meet. The police were successful and the sabs chose to find another hunt. Well done to the Kent Police.  You haven’t just aided and abetted illegal hunting by one hunt, but sent a signal to hunts all over the country that some police forces are still on the side of illegal hunting and against groups who legally try and oppose it. The police know it, we know it, that there will be no retribution against the police for this deplorable conduct.
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Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) report that the police rescued a hound from a deep water tank.  The Cheshire Hunt had left this hound behind and it was the reaction of a quick thinking officer from the rural crime team that pulled the hound out of the tank. The Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) are, in fact, full of praise for the police effort yesterday. The police challenged the behaviour of the terrier men and were prepared to get their feet muddy.
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6/12/22: Staffordshire Hunt Sabs report that the North Staffs Hunt has had to pack up early as the hunt staff agreed with the police that the hounds had been out of control.
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It looks as though control of the hounds is becoming a bigger issue. It is easier to prove, rather than the more difficult to prosecute offence of foxhunting.

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Bad news for hunts

The Saltersgate Farmers Hunt have been caught digging out a badger sett on land controlled by the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Authority has banned the hunt from that particular area which is good, but it is felt that the Authority needs to ban the hunt from all of the areas under its control. Observations to this effect can be made to: general@northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Other news

 ‘Keep the Ban’ has a new website.

It is now ‘Protect the Wild’.  It has the following website address. Just as we like others to support us I am sure they’d appreciate a visit. It’s a fine website – with the search bar sliding smoothly in from the right in an elegant and rather impressive way.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/
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Astonishing though it is, some churches actually support hunting. In Shropshire, a service for The United Pack, was arranged at St George’s Church in Clun on Sunday 11^th December. Shropshire AAF asked people to contact the church politely and ask them to reconsider, given that hunts are keen on animal cruelty – and that cannot be Christian. The service was cancelled, not on moral grounds, but because a member of the clergy received emails, which she thought were threatening.
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The cold weather has kept the badgers underground. Underground badgers have kept the shooters at home. This has given the anti-cullers a welcome break.

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Hunts and the public

Another case of hunt trespass occurred on Sat 10/12/22 and was reported by Three Counties Hunt Sabs when the Cotswolds Hunt were asked to leave land by the land owner.
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The following has been borrowed from the Peterborough Hunt Sabs. “This week an elderly birdwatcher was knocked down by the out-of-control Fitzwilliam Hunt while they were out walking. “At least 30 fox hounds came charging down the path in full cry and knocked me down, I complained to the red coat on horseback but he just shouted “we’ve been doing this for 350 years!” And rode off!” We’re not sure that knocking over elderly birdwatchers for 350 years is much to boast about.

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Sab News

Yet another new group has formed. It is called the Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs. Amongst their other activities they are organising a demo against the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt meet in Tavistock on Boxing Day. Good luck to WDHS!
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Drones are becoming a integral part of sab groups’ toolkits. Sheffield Hunt Sabs did a fund raiser in order to buy one, and hit their target in less than 24hours. Good effort.

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Boxing Day

With help from some parish and town councils, many Boxing Day meets are still going ahead. Grantham, is the exception (well done GABS), and a number of others are also looking unlikely or at least, compromised. There is a list on Grantham Against Bloodsports Facebook Page. AAF has been campaigning all year, challenging the meets on grounds of health and safety. To challenge these meets, you need evidence; Boxing Day 2022, and New Year’s Day 2023 are our only two opportunities to collect it. Go to the meets, take a camera and film. Here’s some advice about what to look for:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-meets-watch-listen-record/

Somerset County Council has astonished all of us by using EMERGENCY road closures to facilitate three Boxing Day meets. They say that this is because the hunts have not applied for proper road closures in time. CALL TO ACTION – email a complaint to the council. Protect the Wild has made it very easy to do. Click here for more details.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/news/somerset-county-council-using-emergency-powers-help-hunt-parades/

Latest News 3 December 2022

Hunt Violence, Cruelty and Law-Breaking

Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that whilst out sabbing the Grove and Rufford Hunt, the ex-master Gerard Farmer arrived with some of his friends and they proceeded to slash all four of the tyres on the sab vehicle. This happened on 19th November. A police investigation is underway. I do not know if this is the same vehicle that was seized by the Derbyshire police about four weeks ago, but with the police being so helpfully disposed towards the hunters and cullers, one has to ask, why would the hunt NOT conduct themselves like this. There is little risk of the police taking action against them.

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The West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue, unintimidated by the hunt or by the police, to sab the Warwickshire Hunt. On 12th November, they met with the usual disgraceful conduct. A sab was assaulted by hunt steward Harry Sawyer. It’s on camera.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that the South Dorset Hunt had a hound injured by a motorist on 22 November.  Hunt support removed the hound whilst it was still howling in pain. The same hunt trespassed on land owned by a racehorse stud farm. The owner inconveniently interrupted their pursuit of a fox. He also told them to stop disturbing his valuable livestock. If that wasn’t enough, they also got their hounds muddled up with hounds from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt who were hunting in the SAME FIELD. Both hunts were being sabbed at the time.

I’ve included the link to the report below, as this one really defies imagination.

https://www.facebook.com/mendiphuntsabs/posts/pfbid0hFeE58hSGRoF32T6CNJXtMVZxynJtMg7RkPbTXyWXyjjVpzue9vUnPp5HZwZ13jVl

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On 26th November,  the Albrighton Hunt left one of their injured hounds wandering alone in the dark after they had packed up. Reported by Staffordshire Hunt Sabs.

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Again, on 26th November, South Cambridge Hunt Sabs had two tyres slashed at the start of their sabbing day. They think they know who the perpetrators were and have submitted evidence to the police.

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Still on 26th November, Wildlife Crime Action has the video of the pack of hounds ragging a fox in the middle of a field. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale huntsman and terrier man are there, and like any good trail hunters they had come equipped with a plastic bag to remove the evidence. It is unpleasant footage. The footage has been shared in an attempt to force Avon and Somerset Police to take action.

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On Tue 29th November  Calder Valley Hunt Sabs report a hound of the Grove and Rufford, killed on the busy A614 road. The picture of a sab cradling the dead hound is deeply moving. Poor dog. Poor sab. We feel so sad for both of you.

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Sab successes

On Saturday (19th Nov) Cottesmore Hunt was sabbed by 90-100 sabs, as result of their attack on a sab a couple of weeks ago. A sheep collapsed and had bleeding from one eye and its nose, after the Cottesmore Hunt passed (rampaged) through the field. South Lodge Farm seemed indifferent to the animal suffering. They may even have been abetting the hunt.

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Police

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs who have to contend with the incredibly bad policing of the Wiltshire police, photographed the Conservative MP James Gray out on foot, with the Beaufort Hunt on 19th November. Bath Hunt Sabs also covered this event. Mr Gray MP said it was a legal hunt and but failed to account for at least eight terriermen!

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On 19th November 22, the West Kent Hunt Sabs are reporting that the Kent Police impounded two quads that were out with the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The terrier men were driving without insurance, tax and had swapped number plates.  The new precedents we now have, are;- North Wales police inspecting the contents of the box in front of the quad, Leicestershire Police ticketing bad parking at the meeting of a hunt in a village, and now Kent Police taking two quads away on a low loader. Tellingly, the West Kent Hunt Sabs go on to comment that they hope the police officers’ careers will not be adversely affected by their action as the Hunt is protected by senior officers in Kent Police. Kent Police still have Mike Bax as the Head of the advisory group to the Kent Police Rural Crime Team. Mike Bax is a former huntsman and was drummed out as head of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

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On 17th November, Wildlife Crime Action report that a serving officer with Dorset Police forwarded a post recently, advertising a horse for sale which included the description, “been cubbing and hound exercise“. It is alleged that that the unnamed officer regularly attends the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt meetings. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually feel that police in this country were accountable.

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On 29th November,  Nottingham Hunt Sabs filmed of one of the Quorn huntsmen attempting to steal sab property by grabbing at the camera. The sab retained the camera but it was destroyed in the tussle.  One may have thought there was enough evidence for the police to take action, but this is an English police force and the offenders are Foxhunters.

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Court Happenings

The CPS has just withdrawn evidence of a fox being chased by the Wynnstay Hunt. This may be a prelude to a not guilty verdict.

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The members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt that rammed the Manchester vehicles are still awaiting sentencing. The crime happened on 19th March 2019.

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Calls to action

There is a petition to ban the Ledbury Hunt from the town on  Boxing Day. Here is the link.

https://chng.it/KGSPRWdjcv

After two years, Somerset County Council have finally accepted that hunts, just like everyone else, MUST follow the usual procedures for staging their public Christmas meets. AAF wants to hear from anyone who knows anything about objections to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day Meets. Please complete our contact form and we will get back to you straight away. We can help with protests and objections.

Boxing Day and NYD Contact Form

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Bad News for Hunts

Not close to home, but a very old hunt in Ireland has folded, (Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt).

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Other News

The HSA has put out a newsletter summing up the progress made since the release of the webinars. One of the most startling statements in the press release states “… A host of other hunts are set to bite the dust this season,…” That is a very surprising statement from people who have been so totally immersed in having to be realistic about the survivability of hunts and hunting. Let’s hope they are right.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team stopped a trailer not far from the venue of the Warwickshire Hunt Ball. Having been lied to by the driver, officers searched the trailer and found a bunch of silly people inside, on their way to their annual bash where they celebrate the fox killings of the past year.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any mistakes or would like us to add something, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Saturday 19th November 2022

What have the hunts been up to?

This week, we learned of the tragic death of Matrix the Cat, at the hands of the Brocklesby Hunt. We are sad for the cat and for his owners. But, this doesn’t end here. We will get justice. 

On 14^th November, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt supporters appear to have lobbed a firework into the vehicle belonging to the North Dorset Hunt Sabs.
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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that hunts are still hunting on National Trust land and the National Trust is not taking action to deal with the trespass.

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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs, reporting on the Cottesmore Hunt, noted:  ‘…a distressed sheep farmer was furious that the hunt had frightened her pregnant ewes, disregarding a previous request for them to stay away from the flock.’ That could trigger sheep aborting over the next couple of days. No wonder she was furious. The same hunt removed a “Road Closed” sign on the A6003 so they could continue down the road unhindered.

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Weymouth Animal Rights report that on 5/11/22 the South Dorset Hunt chased and killed a deer.  Footage of the incident will be put forward to the police.
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On November 13^th, the Blencathra Foxhounds held an illegal fox hunt in the Carrock Fell area. This involved illegal hunting, trespassing across Lake District National Park, driving quads across LDNPA land. They also cleared the area of visitors first, by bullying  holiday-makers and day trippers out of the way first.

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Cambridge Hunt Sabs report that, at a joint meeting of 1) the Puckeridge Hunt and 2) Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt, the hunters and their supporters were excessively disposed towards aggression.

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What’s gone wrong for the hunts and right for us?

Here is an unexpectedly great result. Four weeks ago we reported on the conviction for illegal foxhunting of Mark Pearson, from the South Dorset Hunt. Here is a rather welcome follow up from AAF (Action Against Foxhunting). “Waitrose have suspended their relationship with Mark Pearson who supplied them with milk”. A successful and very speedy AAF & WAR (Weymouth Animal Rights) campaign

If you are willing to add more pressure to what has already borne fruit, here is a related petition from last week, triggered by the successful prosecution.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/richard-drax-stop-allowing-the-hunts-to-use-your-land/

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The Kings Head Pub in Pebmarsh, who inadvertently hosted the East Essex Hunt on 12^th November, won’t be doing that again. It turned out that the pub didn’t know the booking was for the hunt. The pub don’t support the hunt and they will not be welcome there again. We understand that this is a REALLY VERY NICE PUB, and if you are in Pebmarsh, pop in for a quick drink and say thank you._______

The Wynnstay Hunt could be in more difficulties than it realises. On Saturday 5^th Nov, the police attended in an unmarked car. The hunt had changed the venue of their opening meeting perhaps because they were no longer welcome at their traditional seasonal start point. With sabs present, and the police present, the hunt was very subdued and cautious, and probably actually afraid of being caught hunting illegally. How long will it be before the hunters, Lord Lieutenant and/or the High Sheriff, lose their nerve and decide they ought not to be bringing public opprobrium against the crown?

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Are the police more good than bad now?

West Kent Hunt Sabs have revealed a link between a former huntsman and the Kent rural police. As the sabs remark, “This explains why no action is ever taken when we contact Kent police about illegal hunting activity.” In a just world the Kent Police would try and account for their conduct. More likely they will just ignore the complaints.

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A post appeared on a pro hunter’s Facebook page complaining about Cumbrian Police’s presence at North Cumberland’s fox hunt on 20^th October 2022. The poster just COULD NOT understand why the police sent two police cars to investigate an allegation of illegal foxhunting. We’ll answer that – it’s because you were breaking the law and that’s what police are for.

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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that a fox fled away from the hunt into private property on 9^th November. The home owner called the police and the controller replied that trespass was not a criminal offence and the hunt were exercising their hounds. Cumbria Police did however attend and they are taking positive action regarding the handling of the call. The report also shows a picture of the fox, on the roof of the house next door, trying to escape the hunt.

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There was another precedent this week, this time reported by the Nottingham Hunt Sabs.  “Hunt supporters blocked roads and police ticketed the vehicles that were parked dangerously in the village.” The hunt involved was the Quorn and the Police force was the Leicestershire Police. (Last week’s precedent was the North Wales Police insisting in viewing the contents of the box on the front of a quad.)

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The North Yorks Police have joined other forces that can’t move forward, and continue to allow themselves to be manipulated by the hunts. On 5^th November, the East Yorks Coast Hunt Sabs had the North Yorks Police version of law enforcement displayed to them when they sabbed the Derwent Hunt. Six officers with four cars and threats of arrest were the order of the day.

https://www.facebook.com/page/1426555787466531/search/?q=police

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Court Happenings

Arun Squire, Huntsman of the Puckeridge Hunt, was due to face trial on Tuesday 15th November. The trial has been postponed until the 15th/16th May 2023 with a case management hearing due on 22nd of March.

Mr Squire therefore remains on bail for the rest of the hunting season.
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Tim Ingram formally whipper in with the Mendip Farmers Hunt and now Huntsman for the South Tetcott Hunt has pleaded guilty to criminal damage having been recorded on dash cam, being driven past the sab vehicle as a passenger on a quad, and kicking out at it. It has cost him a total of £912 and he now has a criminal record. There is no mention, however of any action being taken against the 16-year-old driver of the illegal quad. It could be that this is under Wiltshire police jurisdiction, so no further action will be taken.

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Last week, David Thomas from Dwyryd Fox Hounds received a jail sentence of 24 weeks and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. He had been convicted of six offences under the animal welfare act. He has now appealed this sentence, and it has been reduced to 13 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. What a farce.

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A football striker, Kian Harratt, with Bradford city FC has been convicted of hare coursing. The 20-year-old, from Pontefract, was sentenced along with two other men at Beverley Magistrates Court after being stopped by police in East Yorkshire on 3 April.

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Myles O’Connor, of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt (a Scottish hunt) has pleaded not guilty to illegal fox hunting. The offence occurred on 22/12/21. His trial will be in the New Year.

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On November 16^th, Daniel Cherriman, master of the South Shropshire Hunt pleaded guilty (probably because he couldn’t think of a defence) to hunting offences and was fined £600 for “disturbing a fox”. He was very that he would “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs. We would ask Mr C to add in “anti bloodsports campaigners”  just to make sure he includes all of us who will be subjecting him to adverse comments.

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Wiltshire Police have dropped the case against the terrier man who assaulted a sab last March, resulting in a bleed on the brain.

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Other News

In June several interested people raised an objection to the plans for a farm in Cheshire to start a mobile zoo business under the banner “Zoo2U“. The planning application has been rejected and, as is so often the way, an amended plan has been submitted.

You/we have until the 18th of November to register objections.

The proposed site is owned by a Badger Cull Director.

Here is the link.

https://freedomforanimals.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f8f4a3f22312d6cf35dc262ab&id=f99da7fed1&e=c74604483f

Thank you for reading.

“HEADLINES” is produced by Foxy Blether and AAF. If you spot any inaccuracies, or have something to add, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org. Thank you to the sab and monitor groups whose stories we have shared. 

Latest News 5th November 2022

 

Prosecutions, investigations and convictions

A member of the Portman Hunt was given a 16 week community order for assaulting a sab from north Dorset Hunt Sabs on on Saturday 24th September at Ochill, North Dorset.
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This next one one is shocking. We know that Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt was in court for illegal hunting, and that the case was dropped because of a “technicality”. Salisbury Plain Monitors have now released all the footage (which shows Carter to be as guilty as sin. So why was the case dropped? Read the details here: https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/royal-artillery-hunt-a-licence-to-kill/

A Prestatyn man, (Philip Stevens) has been found guilty of badger baiting at Mold Magistrates Court. He received a sentence of 24 months prison, suspended for 12 months, 180 hours of community service, costs of £500 and victim surcharge of £128. He was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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The following incident occurred at the Cottesmore Hunt on Tuesday 25th October. A woman sab (Lisa Jaffray) was run into by a hunt supporter. The driver drove off without stopping. The victim was taken to hospital, and was discharged the following day. Leicestershire police say “A 59-year-old woman, from Knossington, was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent (Wednesday 25^th October). She has since been released under investigation.”

(DI Charles Edward is investigating).
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A jail sentence of 18 months has been meted out to Luke Rix (32) from South Warwickshire, who filmed  himself hunting wildlife. The film reveals a very sadistic nature and he has also been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and was ordered to pay £500 and £128 victim surcharge.
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Police

The difference between different police forces attitudes towards hunting could eventually become a scandal. Hunts will be looking to hunt outside their territory to favour the areas that have hunt-sympathetic or corrupt policing.

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The sit-on-their-hands-and-do-nothing Wiltshire Police seem to have done nothing to progress the case against the assailant who caused the bleed on the brain for a sab. The assault occurred last March.
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The North Wales police insisted that the terrier man, from the Flint and Denbigh, who said the box on the front of his quad was empty, should open the box for the police to see. There was, of course, a terrier there. The terrier man was informed that there was no place for terriers on a trail hunt. However, no further action appears to have occurred. ‘Going equipped’ is not a hunting offence, but we’re looking into this.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have a lot of problems with the Royal Artillery Hunt, and a lack of police action. The following, in part, would explain why: “…we also know this farm hosts Wiltshire Police and allows them to train their police dogs on their land so if you’re ever hoping for this lot to face the force of the law you will be sorely disappointed“.  You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.

Sadly, the RA killed a fox on Saturday.
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The Three Counties Hunt Sabs were sabbing the Heythrop Hunt. When it was evident that the hunt was not acting within the law the police were called, and the Gloucestershire Police did attend. Shortly after that the hunt return to base. The difference of attitudes around Britain’s police forces is quite remarkable.
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Holcombe Hunt indulged in the common tactic of being aggressive to sabs and then calling the police to say they were being intimidated and bullied. When Lancashire Police turned up with three vehicles, they saw the video footage and told the hunt (and Mr Clarke junior) to behave.

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HUNT DISASTERS and SAB  ACTIVITY

The hunts are having increasing problems. People in the countryside are no longer afraid of them and are standing up to their bullying tactics, the police are no longer reliable, and don’t necessarily arrive and start making problems for the sabs. Many sab groups now have drones, which means their ability to monitor the location of the hunt is getting better and better. Quite a few hunts are struggling financially. It is probably true to say that the wind is no longer in their favour.
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East Devon Hunt, Axe Vale and the Cotley were upset when we noticed that the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for East Devon District Council forgot to exempt hounds. This means that the hounds cannot run about unleashed on roads. It also means that no one can be in charge of more than six dogs at a time and someone has to pick up all their faeces. Sabs are no on the look out for any of this behaviour and will report breaches to the council.

In Cornwall, another PSPO requires all dog owners to pick up their dog’s faeces – once again hounds are not exempt.
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The East Kent Hunt was sabbed and packed up around 11 am on Saturday. At about that time an angry landowner (who gave his name on video) (Colin Lee) turned up and complained to the hunt about hunt trespass. The world is changing. More and more people are prepared to stand up to the hunt.

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Many sab groups report the use of their drones in their hunt surveillance. Last weekend included:-

Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs versus Oakley Hunt
Surrey Hunt Sabs versus Ashford Valley
North London Hunt Sabs versus East Essex
South Coast Hunt Sabs versus East Kent
Manchester Hunt Sabs versus Warwickshire Hunt.

Drones are becoming more and more part of the sab toolkit and they are becoming expert at piloting them.
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Sheffield Hunt Sabs said thank you to those that contributed, in order that they could get their vehicle back from the police. (It was seized last week.) They used it to good effect in getting rid of some lampers as well as doing their badger work.
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Last week we reported on a new sab group called “Locals against the Blankley Hunt“. This week the HSA are reporting that there is yet another sab group formed, this one is called “East Surrey Hunt Sabs“. In Somerset, we have another new group, called Somerset Sabs.

We wish all the new groups success.

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A Scottish Hunt, (the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt) has acquired some adverse publicity in the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.  “A pack of 50 loose dogs caused havoc in the countryside – worrying sheep, spooking horses and scaring people. The baying hounds were seen stampeding through fields, roads and a quarry on the morning of Tuesday, October 18.” No sabs were present, and it was the local people that took umbrage and alerted the police.
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Cottesmore Hunt didn’t let the hit and run interrupt their hunting day. Later on in the day the sab report states: “as sabs closed in hunt terrier man Gary McCann assisted by other masked thugs assaulted sabs punching one in the face, smashing a camera and knocking female Sabs to the ground and strangling them.“
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Dunstan Harriers had a number of hounds killed by a train on an active railway line on Monday 31st. From previous knowledge the railway/transport police seem to be rather better at successful prosecutions than the national police forces, so we wait and see what becomes of this. This is the sixth railway trespass by hunts, that we know about, in the last three years.
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Campaigns

Richard Drax MP is coming under scrutiny after the conviction of Mark Pearson (hunting offences) from the South Dorset Hunt. Not only does he own the land on which the kill happened, he also rents their kennels out to them. Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) and AAF are asking Mr Drax to ban the hunt from his land. Please sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

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The convict Mark Pearson supplies milk to Waitrose. After the conviction, Waitrose should reconsider this arrangement, particularly given the artwork displayed in Watirose stores assuring shoppers of their compassion towards animals. Campaign details coming soon.
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Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets are approaching. AAF (together with other groups) is challenging 28 of these meets and would like to hear of more. Please click on this link to let us know if you are involved.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/the-simple-version/

Other News

Matt Hancock a Conservative MP has been suspended from his party. His mother is Shirley Carter, and the Wynnstay Hunt has used her home, The Greaves, near Wrexham, for their meets. Up to now the hunt has had a line through to Cabinet level which may in part account for their confidence in flouting the law.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 22nd October 2022

 

POLICE Response to illegal hunting

 

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs Facebook page requires a visit if you are to understand what is going on between them and the police. The key point here is this: how did the Warwickshire Hunt know anything about the arrests of the sabs last week, unless police told the hunt themselves? Read the details here:https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/posts/pfbid0XP2j6cSXeZWSf2CziaDQpHRMjJ3mspgQU6urMe6p6X9n7g9ByFp8NYoo5TexNamBl
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Bedfordshire Police have been out with a 4 x 4 keeping an eye on the Oakley Hunt. The police also found time to have an interesting discussion with the Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. This left the sab group with the impression that some interesting times might lie ahead for the hunts.
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Whilst the Nottingham Hunt Sabs with a member of the Lincoln Hunt Sabs were out sabbing the Blankley Hunt, the Lincolnshire Police arrested the driver and navigator from the Nottingham Hunt Sabs for an, as yet, unspecified offence. Their vehicle is now in a police pound.
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Derbyshire Police have seized a vehicle belonging to the Sheffield Hunt Sabs whilst they were out opposing the badger Cull.
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The Leicestershire Police want to liaise with sabs. It’s difficult to imagine any sab wanting to cooperate with police who have spent 18 years perfecting ways to harass or intimidate an organisation that wants the laws upheld. On the other hand, the police are part of this (no matter what we think) and if liaising with the police means the hunts are put under more pressure, then we might want to consider it.
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The (Isle of) Wight Hunt Sabs Facebook page recounts an interesting little story. One of the Isle of White Foxhound supporters became verbally aggressive and then called the police. The interaction had been recorded by the sabs and they showed the recording to the police which confirmed that the aggressive verbal behaviour had not been initiated by the sabs. The perpetrator of the abuse then appeared and when the police went to speak to him he would not calm down. So they arrested him and took him away in a police van. It’s great to hear a case of the police being called by the hunt and it backfiring in quite such a exemplary manner.
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The Western Hunt were very miffed at being sabbed by the West Cornwall Hunt Sabs and decided to take revenge by using their smart phone whilst driving, to film the sabs. They chose to do it in front of a police officer and we are now waiting to see if there is an outcome from this particular irresponsible activity, because the police officer did set off in pursuit. The West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are nothing if not persistent, and they will let us all know in due course how this develops.
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Last week we reported a window smashing event that (allegedly) the Norwich Constabulary had said they couldn’t do anything about. This week their inaction in not even investigating, Norwich Constabulary were rewarded for their indifference by being able to ring the sabs up to tell them that one of their vehicles had been extensively vandalised.

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Convictions and Prosecutions

Mark Pearson of the South Dorset Hunt has been found guilty of fox hunting. The penalty is £6,000 fine, £190 victim surcharge, and £620 costs.  His blatant lying in court is very disconcerting. He had killed one fox earlier in the day and the police deemed it an accident and allowed him to continue hunting. It was fortunate that the second kill was recorded by a monitors with cameras. The judge held that he should have had his hounds under control.
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A game keeper, (Matthew Stroud) has admitted illegally shooting and poisoning birds of prey. He received (from Norwich Magistrates’ Court) a 12 month community order, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and fined £692.
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Huntsman David Thomas from Dwydryd Hunt, has pleaded guilty to running a badger baiting ring at the Hunt kennels. Sentencing is due on 7th November. (He has had a previous prison sentence for badger baiting).
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Two men from the Wynnstay Hunt, Jamie Barnes, of Nottingham, and Ben Lloyd Davies from Welshpool have been found guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court of interfering with badger setts at a farm in Wrexham in August last year. The court heard that at the time, Barnes had been employed by the Wynnstay Hunt, and “had been asked to get a rogue (bagged) fox” ahead of the following day’s hunt. They were each fined £1000, £600 costs and £100 victim surcharge.
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Ms Sarah Moulds was visibly discombobulated last week when her trial date was set back until 22nd of August 2023. Ms Moulds was the lady who struck and kicked her horse at the Cottesmore Hunt.
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There are about another eleven hunts awaiting their turn in court.

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Hunt Activity

Local Hunt Sabs have now helped remove three hunts from our countryside. The latest demise (The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt) has allowed those same sabs to turn their attention to the Teme Valley Hunt, whose dogs rioted among a field of sheep last week.
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Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) sabbed the South Dorset Hunt, last Saturday. Their hit report says that a monitor from Wildlife Crime Action got himself/herself into the appropriate position and has some quite damning footage. We have to await more information, but that sounds encouraging.
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The Three Countries Hunt Sabs show photographs of what happens when you let dogs run across a cattle grid. The Heythrop Hunt seemed indifferent to their own utter stupidity.
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Last Wednesday, both the Cheshire Monitors and Cheshire Against Bloodsports reported violence from the Wynnstay Hunt, and that it was recorded on video.
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A landowner has written to the Hereford Times, and complained about a hunt trespassing on his land. The offending Hunt was The Radnor and West Herefordshire Hunt. It is yet another example of hound trespass, and of hunts being not as popular as they would like their followers to believe.
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Devon Hunt Sabs report that not only were their tyres slashed but the brake lines on their vehicle were cut.
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The dogs of the Thurlow Hunt attacked a muntjac deer, which subsequently had to be put down. It was recorded on video by the Cambridge Hunt Sabs. It is the subject of a police investigation.

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Other news

AAF’s Rural Survey returned the following results (among other figures). Only 7% of rural residents support fox hunting. 73% of rural residents know that hunts are still killing foxes and 90% of local residents don’t attend the Boxing Day Meet in their town.
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With Boxing Day approaching, more and more hunts are finding their public meets under threat. AAF and other local groups are challenging 25 (and more) hunt meets across the country. The challenges relate to public safety and legal permissions. Hunts always just show up on the day, illegally block roads, and generally do as they please. Everyone else has to obey the rules and there is no reason why the hunts are an exception. AAF wants more locals to help. Please contact info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org for further details.
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Having had one of their members assaulted by a masked-up member of the Essex Farmers Hunt, various sab groups returned the following week to mount a very successful sab on that hunt.
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Reminder to those that tramp across fields by night to consider their own safety. In Carmarthenshire on the 23rd  Sept a Farmer was killed by his own bull. And on 25th September, Lancashire police reported finding the body of a woman that appeared to be killed by cattle.
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The wife of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business and Energy Secretary who last week said the market turmoil was not due to the Mini budget, was out hunting with the Mendip Farmers Hunt last Saturday. The party whose corner stones are of financial and economic rectitude, and law and order, is not without its shortcomings!
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A puppy farmer from Essex has received a four-year jail sentence for her puppy farming activities.
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A new group has been formed. “Locals Against the Blankley Hunt”. It appears to me the hunts that are likely to suffer the most are those with a dedicated sab group. We wish the new group well.
Thank you for reading. 

 

Latest News 9th October 2022

 

Police response to illegal hunting

The Wynnstay Hunt was out cub hunting on Wednesday 21st September.
Cheshire Monitors say they don’t normally bother ringing the police, “…because they’ve shown no real interest in hunting in the past, but they’ve just admitted being poor with their responses in the past and that things have changed.” Indeed they have changed because the West Mercia police attended. Hunts must soon start asking themselves if the police attendance is simply a one-off, or if it represents a sea change.

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Last Boxing Day there was a violent kerfuffle in the village of Lacock hunt supporters from the Avon Vale Hunt attacked protesters. Earlier this year three hunt supporters pleaded guilty to public order offences. However, Wiltshire Police, (a force that is now in special measures) decided to prosecute two of the people that were attacked. Last week, District Judge Joanna Dickens dismissed the charges against the two defendants using the words “Ultimately the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thin…” The police submitted a short clip of video as evidence. The guys were trying to defend themselves.

If you cast your mind back you may remember one of the police officers present was a paid up member of the hunt.

Bringing the case against the two people who were trying to defend themselves, is an example of Wiltshire police trying to appear even-handed, whilst actually undermining trust in the police.
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Wiltshire Police, or possibly just their PCC Phillip Wilkinson, have released a promotional video to the BBC making some quite extravagant claims about what the Wiltshire Police are up to, to stop crime in the countryside. The PCC said that hare coursing events are being live streamed into China and people there are betting tens of thousands of dollars on which dog will take the hare. “…Gangs with dogs and four by fours chase hares across farmland and the criminals leaves thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake and will use intimidation and violence to set up the chase.“ He goes on, “The people involved are often also involved in running county lines and modern day slavery too, these are serious criminals and a very real threat.”

The PCC went on to say that they weren’t “worried about the hares… just the damage to property”. Once again, this PCC is dismissing the Hunting Act. We would like him to commit to enforcing ALL laws, including the HA, rather than picking and choosing according to his own personal opinion regarding illegal hunting.

I’m sure Wiltshire rural crime team will be an excellent job of apprehending these international criminals.

My advice to hare coursers in Wiltshire, wear a bright red jacket and if stopped by the police tell them that you are trail hunting.
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The Norwich Hunt Sabs comment favourably about the rural police team attending a meet of the West Norfolk Foxhounds. Although they did arrive late in the day they informed the sabs that they intended to put up a drone in order to monitor the hunt, and indeed they lived up to their promise. With the Norfolk police finally realising that the hunts are acting illegally, they may care to reconsider whether their conviction against sab a few years back for aggravated trespass was in fact a miscarriage of justice.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs had a window smashed on their car whilst kennel watching the West Norfolk Fox Hounds. Allegedly, Norfolk Constabulary said they were unable to do anything.

Hunt Activity

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs have video footage of a huntsman, Olivia Forsyth, from the Warwickshire Hunt galloping after a fox in the hope of turning it back into the maize for her Hounds. It’s pretty blatant cub hunting.
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West Kent Hunt Sabs have video footage of the East Kent with West Street Hunt acting violently towards a member of the public. They have identified the attacker, so perhaps in six months time we will see yet another court case.
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On the 16th of September, The Times carried an article concerning the hunting of a stag for three hours before it was shot dead. The article carried a photograph of the hunter at the moment of the discharge of the rifle aimed at the stag. Stag hunting is probably one of the most disgusting versions of hunting that there is in this country and it is good to see that a major and respected newspaper is becoming more willing to cover the issue.

I don’t suppose the nation’s opprobrium will cause the Quantock Hunt to bat an eyelid. Eventually, however, public opinion will matter enough to those that could put a stop to hunting to take action.
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Prosecutions

Three members of the Vale of White Horse Hunt have pleaded not guilty to hunting offences. Their trial date has been set for the 23rd of March 2023.

That makes the number of hunts awaiting court appearances 13. There could be more.

Other News

The struggles, pertinacity, and bravery of some people can be quite remarkable.

A lady reports that she followed the Ludlow Hunt on her land for two hours and then managed to open the box on the front of a quad. There was a fox there but, before she could reach for the Fox, the quad drove off. Subsequently she saw the fox being transferred to a hessian bag. The hessian sack was thrown into the back of a Land Rover, which was driven off. What was happening was being relayed by telephone to the police who responded quickly, but not quickly enough to catch the culprits.
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The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, has been out cub hunting. The hunt also meet and hunt on their estate, which contravenes the law forbidding land to be used for illegal hunting. I do wonder if he/she is keeping an eye on the mood of the authorities and the public.
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Nottingham Hunt Sabs showed a picture of a young dead badger. It had been shot and wounded, but it couldn’t quite make it back to its sett. It’s worth remembering that it was the cattle that gave the TB to the badgers and not vice versa.

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Avian bird flu has been found in pheasants.
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The Welsh government is setting out a bill that will make snare and glue traps illegal. It is part of a larger Welsh Agricultural Bill.
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Scotland is planning to get rid of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and replace it with legislation that will make the hunting with dogs more difficult to get away with.  Scottish ministers have reacted with, “… chasing and killing a mammal with a dog for sport or otherwise has no place in modern Scotland.” They are trying to close the loopholes which hunts use to circumvent the law. It appears to be a step in the right direction because the Scottish branch of the bloodsport industry is already against it.

Latest News 24th September 2022

Hunt changes

Bleane Beagles, a Kent based Hare Hunt has amalgamated with the Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex Beagles. It is another case of where there were once two hunts, now there is only one. The title of the hunt with which they have amalgamated suggests that, that Hunt, too, is an amalgamation of several.

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It is quite difficult to keep track of hunts when they close down or amalgamate.

We know that the New Forest Hounds are now a bloodhound pack and hope that they have an enjoyable season, with no controversy.
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Police, CPS and Prosecutions
The Nottingham Hunt Sabs tell us that when they were attending to the Quorn Hunt recently, the police showed up to do a bit of sabbing themselves – “Leicestershire police had two 4x4s from the rural crime team, driving across fields after this once mighty Hunt”. I don’t recall ever of hearing of the police showing any real intent of stopping illegal hunting. This could send shock waves through the Blood Sport industry.

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Last August a case against the Quorn Hunt was dropped after the intervention of the CPS.

The CPS said:

“Explaining the decision to drop the case, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.

“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swain giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”

It seems that, despite the outcome of that previous case, the police remain unconvinced that the Quorn Hunt is engaged in legal hunting.

After police deploying 4 x 4 in the field, I do wonder if the Quorn remain so confident.
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The North Wales Hunt Sabs may have reported a milestone event. The Flint and Denbigh followed a trail for the first time since the introduction of the Hunting Act 17 years ago. They did however have terriers and their owners on quads, which is suggestive that they wanted to leave their options open.

The Wales police had a presence too. Perhaps they want to clean up their lamentable record prior to the review of the police record on the policing of hunts in North Wales.
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Ben Porter, terrierman for the Hereford and Clifton Hunt was found guilty in Worcester Crown Court on 21/09/22. These were the charges:

Failure to stop after an accident
Failure to report an accident
Driving with undue care and attention, causing injury
No insurance
Incorrect licence (too many passengers on quad bike)
No Mot
Driving an unregistered quad bike on a public road

This happened during a foxhunt on 5^th March. Among other crimes, this man drove a quadbike at speed, hitting and injuring a sab.
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On September 21st in Yeovil Magistrates Court, a member of the Seavington Hunt pleaded guilty to offences under the Hunting Act. This was the person caught on video releasing a bagged fox. He was not, however, convicted for this appallingly cruel act, as the second charge  “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal” was withdrawn. We think this was some sort of a deal. Admitting to using a bagged fox would be disastrous for the hunts, so they settled for breach of the Hunting Act instead. The fine was £180.

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Hunt Activity

There are several reports from hunt sabs groups of very blatant cub hunting. In particular, the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV) were caught on video clearly hunting cubs. In that video, the huntsman (George Pearce) got very excited and galloped up and down a track tootling his horn wildly. I understand that this is not the behaviour of a “skilled huntsman”. Rather, it is the behaviour of a teenage boy watching a naughty video for the first time.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report that at least one (and possibly two) hounds were involved in an RTA on September 8^th. It’s likely that the hounds were from the Avon Vale pack. The hunt master is Stuart Radbourne, well-known to sabs. Poor dogs – they always get a raw deal.
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Given that the number of hunts with members awaiting court appearances sits at twelve, this seems rather rash.

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Other News

The Lancashire and Cumbria Hunt Sabs appear to have laid an ambush worthy of a Ukrainian General. They had fore knowledge that the Melbreak Hunt were intending to hunt direct from their kennels onto National Trust land , from first light. The Sabs got themselves into position, hidden, and with cameras and drone. Sure enough the Melbreak Hunt walked confidently onto National Trust land and cast their hounds. When ready the Sabs showed their hand, and the hunting day was ruined. The National Trust and the police were informed.
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The Blackmore Vale Magazine, a free magazine from North Dorset, published an article called “In defence of foxes”, written by Pip Donovan, from Action Against Foxhunting. It was a response to a  previous comment by a known local pro, Ruth Kimber, who had said, “foxes feast on domestic cats”. Publication of AAF’s article was a surprise, as the magazine is traditionally pro hunt. To read the article, click here:

https://blackmorevale.net/in-defence-of-foxes/?fbclid=IwAR1O3XypZ7z-FMp2SnAarbYP0Jd9kSFpjfaxureNSlzzfEIgdYUxNte9wWY
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While out doing their thing, members of a Cheshire sab group found a couple of puppies (under a year old and covered in faeces and urine burns) just behind a gate of a field at half 11 at night. With the help of a local, they rescued the puppies and off they went to a rescue, where they are thriving. Kind people doing kind things – it always helps to know they are out there.
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If you use ‘Radio Sounds’ to listen to previous radio broadcasts you may choose to listen to ‘Farming Today’ broadcast on 03/09/22. The first few minutes of the broadcast are taking up on the subject of BTB and Elaine from The Cheshire Badger Vaccination program has a short interview. Elaine is known to many of us and she was an excellent interviewee.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

Latest News 10th September 2022

Two more hunts have made it into the list of outstanding court cases. The Seavington Hunt are being charged with animal cruelty, as well as offences under the Hunting Act. The Daily Mail and ITV News showed the video footage of the bagged fox being released. The offence occurred on 5^th March 222.  A 30 year old man will appear in Yeovil Magistrates Court on 21^st September 2022.
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The Fitzwilliam Hunt has received a fox hunting related charge as well. They are due in court on the 22nd Sept for an incident on 5th March 2022.
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On Tuesday 30^th August, three members of the Dunston Harriers pleaded not guilty in Norwich Magistrates’ Court, to a hunting offence that occurred on 18/01/22, and the case was adjourned to a hearing on 28/11/22.
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It appears that twelve hunts are now awaiting court proceedings.
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AAF has launched its “Stop Boxing Day Meets Campaign”. To make things much easier for anyone who wants to start a local campaign, we have produced some straightforward training on our website. Please use the “Contact Form” on the webpage to let us know about your campaign. Here is a link:https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/how-to-stop-boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meets/

AAF is also launching a Children’s Poster Competition with prizes. All children (aged 12 years or under) are invited to enter. We want them to design a poster to show people what to do if they see a wild animal in trouble. Closing date is 31st October. Click here for details:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/poster-competition/

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The Badger Cull started on the 31st August catching most of us by surprise. It was a somewhat earlier start than we anticipated. Responses from saboteur groups around the country have been brilliant.
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There is another petition, this time to help a distressed family whose pet dog has been siezed by the police.

https://www.change.org/p/help-free-dennis-and-get-him-back-home/signatures/confirm?token=ddaf1f5a-c7bf-4f2e-a57a-1635214bdbf9
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Lush continues to support hunt saboteurs with stalls and fundraising in their stores. The most recent was in Liverpool last weekend.
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Hereford hunt sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt has lost the use of a small piece of common land, Bromyard Downs. Possibly not a huge issue but another minor irritant for those that are in favour of hunting.

The Hereford hunt sabs also report that the hounds from the above mentioned hunt appear to have been distributed amongst other hunts. (This is confirmed by the West Kent HUNT SABS who are reporting the arrival of hounds at the East Kent with West Street Hunt.) The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt which had been looking for a kennelman has now had the advert withdrawn. That same hunt might also be without a huntsman. Perhaps the loss of Bromyard Downs turns out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Thank you for reading.

 

Latest News 25th August 2022

The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Foxhunt are not on our list of hunts expecting court appearances in the next few months. However, they have made it into the news because of a successful prosecution of one of their terrier men. In October 2020 Sam Jamie Mepham took it upon himself to repeatedly drive his very large tractor into a sab vehicle.The incident was filmed and he pleaded guilty to an offence which resulted in a sentence of 12 months community service and a 12 month driving ban. He has previously been convicted of killing a wild animal with a crossbow and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

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John Bennett Wright was part of a group of hunt supporters that dragged a lone and disabled sab from his vehicle and assaulted him. Glasgow Hunt Sabs report on their Facebook page, “John Bennett Wright, a thug associated with Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire (L and R) Fox Hounds was today sentenced to a 12 month supervision order on top of being made to carry out 180 hours unpaid community work and paying £500 to his victim.

Ryan Sinclair another supporter incurred a £400 fine. Previous to the attack on the disabled sab, he had been responsible for slashing two tyres and he was also part of the group that attacked the disabled sab.
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Action Against Foxhunting has sent out nearly 10 000 cubbing leaflets in the last few weeks to members of the public who are kind enough to distribute them. However, Keep the Ban’s survey showed that only 1 in 10 people has heard of cub hunting. We need to change this. To order leaflets, please click on this link:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/aaf-leaflets/
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The United Pack were out cubbing at the weekend, but were successfully sabbed. About five different sab groups participated.

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A couple of days ago, the West Kent Hunt Sabs with other groups sent the East Kent with West Street Hunt back to barracks.
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Various sab groups combined to visit the Yorkshire Moors on the 12th and disrupt at least one shoot. Peak District Hunt Sabs show a video of the police arriving to remonstrate with them. The first words an unfortunate police officer uttered were   “…you have disrupted their illegal activity.” It probably wasn’t the best slip of the tongue ever but it did get an enthusiastic response from the assembled Sabs.
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As of yesterday evening, Staffordshire Hunt Sabs along with others had managed to complete three days on the moors already this season. It does not seem to be going that well for those that like to use wild creatures for target practice.
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The Three Counties Mink Hounds are based in Worcestershire. Last weekend they were rampaging on the river Tweed and were being hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch Hunt. Fortunately, the heavily outnumbered Scottish Border Hunt Sabs along with the Glasgow Hunt Sabs attended the meet and showed great determination in stopping their activities.

The hounds were a long way from their normal home territory.

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“Shut Down T and S Rabbits”, has its own Facebook page.

There is now a Camp Bunny as well as a Camp Beagle. They had received support from Sab groups.

It is good to report that we have just heard that the owner of the rabbit farm is withdrawing from rabbit breeding and homes are being sought for rescued rabbits.

The request on their Facebook page is, please, …don’t rock the boat with any independent action until they have been able to clarify the situation.

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West Midlands Hunt Sabs, are petitioning to stop the Warwickshire Hunt from using Council land. Please help support them.

https://chng.it/NWgpmSsd2s
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Natural Resources Wales have upheld their decision to ban trail hunting on their land. That keeps them in line with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority.

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The case against Robert Metcalfe of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt was dropped by the CPS due to lack of evidence.

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The huntsman of the Iveagh Hunt, a Northern Ireland hunt, Jack Harris, has been fined £500 after a pack of hounds killed a cat and bit a man during a fox hunt. He also had to pay £1200 court costs and £15 offender’s levy. Mr Harris did not appear in court as he was thought to have removed himself to England. [Fox hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland but, as in England, 80% or more of the population is against fox hunting. The opprobrium attached to Jack Harris and the Iveagh Hunt only serves to reinforce public opinion.]

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This petition is one that we would all support. It concerns animals in laboratories.

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/127745480/signed

Since it has already passed 70,000 signatories it does stand a good chance of making an impact.

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“Schadenfreude“. -Happiness in someone else’s misfortune.

The Eggesford Hunt have been successfully sabbed three times  in one week, by Devon County Hunt Sabs.

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The Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt have lost two Masters very recently and they have heard from several sources that the hunt is on its knees. So that is another two hunts that must be planning behind closed doors how to combat the continuing decline of their hunts.
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On the 12th of August whilst out in the peak district the Peak District Hunt Sabs picked up a fine for having a light out on their vehicle. When the police attend a hunt, it’s difficult to get the police to show any interest in traffic offences, be they committed by quad bike riders, or vehicles without MOTs. Having a go at the sab driver or his vehicle is the normal practice of the police when engaging in subtle harassment. We need to keep ourselves and our vehicles absolutely spot on.
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Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt will no longer be able to access Bromyard Downs thanks to a unanimous vote by the Commoners to ban hunting. Bromyard Downs consists of 242 acres of mainly open access common land east of Bromyard, as well as some farmland.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 10th August 2022

Vicky Dymond from the Western Hunt in Cornwall has been given a deferred caution for attacking a hunt saboteur with a whip at the end of last season. This is the third member of the same hunt to be investigated, and two of them have been convicted. Paul Martin was convicted earlier this year for violence and John Sampson for failing to control his hounds, leading to the death of Mini the Cat.

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Where once there was two now there is one… The latest amalgamation that we have learnt about appears to be the Weston and Banwell merging with West Somerset Vale Hunt. In fact this merger may have occurred two years ago, but went unreported at that time.
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At an EGM on Thurs 4/8/22 their Hunt committee voted to close down the TETCOTT Hunt (based about 40 miles west of Exeter), due to lack of support and poor finances. The SOUTH CORNWALL Hunt got a mention in that same EGM, and it also appears to be a hunt that has folded within the last two years.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report that the North Norfolk Harriers are disbanding. The hares will be safer from now on.
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Six members of Chard Town Council paid a visit to Cotley Hunt kennels. The hunt obviously kept the dark side hidden from the councillors and showed them only the parts they wanted them to see. Pip, from AAF, who had also asked to visit, was not included. The Mayor had said that he would not go unless Pip did, but he went anyway without Pip, showing no real backbone. Maybe the hunt should invite the councillors to watch them cubhunting? We have evidence of that from last year, of course. No trail hunting there! AAF will continue the campaign against the Cotley’s Boxing Day meet in Chard. Unlike the councillors, they are not fooled. One more thing – the Cotley have since boasted that FIFTY councillors went to the kennels. It was SIX.
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Norwich Pride normally hold their Pride Picnic in Stody Gardens. But now they’ve found out this is a shooting estate, they have decided to picnic elsewhere. Good for them. We need more bold decisions like this!
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Courts are capable of giving custodial sentences. On Monday, Rhys Davies from North Wales was jailed for eight months and banned from owning dogs for 15 years after using dogs to fight badgers and foxes. He was also fined £1800 at Forfar sheriff court in Scotland.
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Closer to home, Paul O’Shea, from the East Essex Hunt, who was videoed capturing a fox and then repeatedly spearing the live creature with a fork, received an 18 week suspended prison sentence. He also received 200 hours community service, £105 court costs, £128 victim surcharge and banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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Reading HS report that the CPS will not pursue an unlawful hunting case against the Avon Vale Hunt. This hunt was involved in a serious assault on a sab earlier this year.
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The glorious 12^th is approaching. Grouse shooting begins, particularly in Scotland. A tragedy for the environment and for birds.
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A female protester has been assaulted, you might even say attacked, by someone providing security for an outfit called T & S Rabbits. A mass protest for Sunday has been called for. ‘Shut Down T & S Rabbits” will provide more information.
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On Thursday 4th, Manchester HS announced that the CPS had dropped a case against the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt which was videoed hunting a fox on 23/11/21. Whilst disappointing, it does look as though it would have been difficult to get a conviction based on the video even although the fox is clearly observed.
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Keep the Ban, facebook page has an article “what is lamping and is it illegal?“. If you have the time it is a worthwhile read. Click here 
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Has anyone heard of hound trailing??

There is a website called (houndtrailing.org.uk) which explains the sport. The hounds follow a trail as individuals, and not as a pack, and this is a competition between hounds to determine which is the speediest and most successful trail follower. There is no hunting of wildlife, and the trail scent that they follow is a mix of paraffin and aniseed.
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Finally, 4,000 beagles are looking for new homes after one of the biggest ever dog rescue efforts in the US. The dogs were being bred and then sold on to laboratories for drug experiments.

The company has now been shut down because of animal rights violations. The condition of many of the dogs was quite appalling.(Report on BBC News site)

4,000 to re-home. Wow!

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Back in March 22, the East Cornwall Hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to join them at their meet at Jamaica Inn. This caused such consternation amongst locals and anti blood sports individuals, that the Inn decided not to host them again. The Inn has been sold to someone else, and the new owners have said they won’t be having them back. Wise decision! Who’d want to open that can of worms again?
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The South Downs Blood Hounds, a clean boot hunt, will talk to anyone about their legal hunting activities. The master, Jeremy Whaley (a former fox hunter) is very keen to show how open and genuinely transparent they are. Their meets are advertised online and everyone is welcome to go along and watch.
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Thank you for reading.

Wed 27th July 

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) (Caroline Henry), for Nottingham has been convicted of five speeding offences over a period of 12 weeks, been fined £2450 and been given a six month driving ban. She is married to MP Darren Henry,(Conservative).

Our interest in PCCs is due to the fact that some of them were selected by the pro fox hunting lobby group, Vote OK.
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The Northern Counties Mink Hunt took something of a drubbing on Saturday from various of our HS groups. Staffordshire HS particularly give a good write up. The owner of the land upon which they were hunting is a Charles Dent.
He was a director of Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, but by Sunday morning, he had resigned. The Staffordshire HS also suggest ways in which their readership could put pressure on the hunt, which included contacting The Yorkshire Dales River Trust who are responsible for managing the River Nidd which was the Hunt’s target river.
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Crapaud highlighted a post from the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team which generated a lot of comment from other HS groups. The eye catching caption to the picture was, “if you see a fox being hunted please call 999“. We do wonder if they will re-publish that post during the fox hunting season!
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Much to the chagrin of anglers and the NFU, beavers have now been accorded a protected species status which will take effect from the 1st of October.
“Keep the Ban“ had this to say:-
“The government confirmed on 22 July that it has passed an order to list beavers a native species across England. This means the law will provide beavers with a range of protections similar to badgers including penalties for killing, capturing or injuring them. Disturbing or damaging their homes is also illegal. The order achieves this by amending the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Beavers (England) Order will come into effect on 1 October.”
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Both the National Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority have indicated that they will not lift their ban on fox and trail hunting.
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Finally, Hankinson’s Appeal.
The simplistic view that the court found Hankinson not guilty of encouraging others to break the law is quite misleading. In paragraph 9 of the judgement the judges state, “having considered the words that were used we take the view that they were capable of encouraging the commission of illegal hunting“. The judgement appears to hang on the question, “Did the appellant intend to encourage the commission of an offence?” In this regard Hankinson claimed that the laying a trail or several trails was to confuse the Sabs. The judge also considered that Hankinson’s role within the Hunting Office was to ensure compliance with the law*, that he was a person of previously good character, and that the clearly stated purpose of the webinar was to inform and educate attendees as to the law and its compliance. The webinar was attended by in excess of 100 people which included police officers, lawyers and a member of the House of Lords. It would be unlikely that Hankinson would encourage such people to break the law. The judge must have not listened to the bit where one of the participants said “I hope no police are listening.”
For the above reasons the court did not believe that the criminal threshold of proof was reached, and that Hankinson’s intention was to encourage others to break the law.
The appeal against conviction was therefore allowed.
Perhaps the best bit of Mr Hankinson’s baloney is in the sentence, “when laying fake trails he said it was important to give the appearance of legitimacy to the saboteurs in order to confuse them as to which trail the hunt intended to follow“.
In fact, you can’t really blame the judge for not seeing how crass this statement was. Judges are probably not familiar with the fact that Sabs do not run around sniffing the ground looking for a trail, false or otherwise.
And how did Mr Hankinson do with encouraging compliance within the law? Here is a list of the pending court cases, with dates.

Jul/22. South Shropshire Hunt. Daniel Cherriman. Telford MC.
01/08/22. East Essex Hunt. Paul O’Shea. Sentencing
30/08/22. Dunston Harriers. 3 men. Norwich MC.
06/09/22. Wynnstay Hunt. Chris Woodward. Wrexham.
Sept/22. Beaufort Hunt. Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham.
17/10/22. South Dorset Hunt. Mark Pearson. Weymouth MC
15/11/22. Puckeridge Hunt. Arun Squire. Stevenage MC.
16/11/22 Fernie Hunt. William Hansen. Loughborough MC
17/11/22 Belvoir Hunt. John Holliday. Leicester MC.
13/03/23. Quorn Hunt. Chris Mardles. Nottingham CC.

Good job, Mr Hankinson.
————-

Friday 22nd July 2022

There is another court case looming. Three men from the Dunston Harriers have been charged with offences under the Hunting Act. The incident occurred on the 18th January 2022.
They should appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 30th August.
________

The hunt known as the North Norfolk Harriers has folded. This seems to be largely due to the activities of the Norwich HS. (Harrier hunts can go after hare and fox but this hunt seemed mainly to concentrate on hare hunting.) The hunt will now host the Nar Valley Bloodhounds who hunt an human scent.
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There are likely to be some court attendances this week, but not necessarily very much in the way of progress.
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Until recently there was a Herefordshire Hunt and a Clifton-on-Teme Hunt. Now there is a Hereford and Clifton Hunt and where once there were two hunts, now there is just one.
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Most of us know that the Met Police Force has been put into special measures.
What may have slipped your attention is that the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Police have also been placed in special measures. They are accused of being unable to respond to the public, protect vulnerable people, and a failure of strategic planning.
The Force blames Government cuts. The local Sabs ponder if the money spent on attending on Hunt days is money well spent.
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Weymouth Animal Rights group released video footage taken on the 8th of March 2022, of Terrier men from the South Dorset Hunt, first digging out a fox alive, and then rescuing their terrier. The fox is put into a box on the quad, as is the terrier. The video had been passed to the Police. The Police said there was insufficient evidence.
Any ordinary person watching the video might feel otherwise.
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Members of Action Against Foxhunting attended Chard Town Council meeting on 11th July 2022. Chard is the venue for the Cotley Harriers Boxing Day meet. AAF is asking the Town Council to consider their relationship with the hunt, possibly asking them not to meet in the town on Boxing Day. The joint master of the Cotley Hunt was also there. She was very upset at the prospect of losing the Boxing Day Meet venue, and issued an invitation for the councillors to come and see the hunt. Pip (AAF) accepted the invitation. However, at this time, no confirmation has been received from the hunt. The date of the visit is likely to be 4th August.  Pip is ready with key questions and is willing to look at REAL evidence that the hunt is trail hunting. But the evidence has to be convincing, otherwise no one will believe them. The Cotley Hunt is very unpopular in Chard, as AAF’s recent survey shows.
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Mark Hankinson’s appeal against his conviction for inciting criminal activity was successful. On 20 July, in Southwark Crown Court, HHJ G Perrins, James Tyerman JP andAlan Elias JP concluded:

“we cannot be sure to the criminal standard that the appellant intended to encourage the commission of a criminal offence. For those reasons the appeal against conviction is allowed”.
In other words, they could not dismiss the defence. While we don’t think that this decision will make any difference to hunting (they continued to hunt anyway, despite the exposé), it is annoying that the guilty man walked free. Also, the CPS have a lot to answer – why only Hankinson in court? Why not the others too?
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The National Trust have stated that they won’t change their minds about banning “trail” hunting from NT land, despite Hankinson’s successful appeal. They remain banned. We are waiting for other landowners (those that also banned the hunt) to respond.
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Wiltshire Rural Crime team unexpectedly made reference to illegal foxhunting in this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=419356576901230&id=100064806723694
Whatever inspired that? Could it be an acknowledgement of their appalling treatment  of sabs at the end of last season? Shame they couldn’t have made this post when the hunts are actually hunting. It’s out of season, so no one will see the hunts until cub hunting starts in August.
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In May Foxy Blether wrote that a friend of Prince William, namely William Van Cutsem, had been subjected to a police raid on his 4,400 acre Hillborough estate near Sandringham. He had a goshawk caught in a ladder trap which was baited with live pigeons. He was outraged that the police and RSPB had help from the Hunt Investigation Team.
The name William Van Cutsem has reared its head again, and this time in a very damning report in the Guardian newspaper.
A Guardian investigation has revealed that dozens of UK laws stipulate that police are barred from entering any of the Queen’s private estates without her consent to investigate crimes ranging from wildlife offences to environmental pollution .
One of the main incidents reported, involved the shooting of two Raptors, in 2007, whilst Prince Harry and a friend (William van Cutsem) were out supposedly shooting duck. Police were barred entry to make a timely search for evidence.
The Guardian reveals that Sandringham has been the focus of successive police and regulatory investigations.
Most of what the Guardian reports on, occurred up to about 2016, but it would appear that Mr Van Cutsem still believes that he is above the law and should not be subject to investigations about his bad behaviour. I suppose the attitude is, what it is good for Prince Harry should be good for him.
So the Royal estates and the Royal children do not get disciplined for what, to most of us, are quite egregious offences and fail to see that they should have standards that recognise we have laws about pesticides and persecution for a reason.
Their neighbours have the same sense of entitlement.
They (the Royals) not do themselves any favours.
Here is the link to the Guardian article:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/15/sandringham-estate-police-barred-investigating-wildlife-crime

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Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century.
18 months ago a pair of Eurasian beavers were released at Hatchmere, near Delamere Forest, by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The beavers have successfully bred in Cheshire, for the first time in more than 400 years. Let’s hope the hunters manage to leave them alone.
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Thank you for reading.

Latest News March 4th 2023
5.23

Hunt Behaviour

On Saturday (18 Feb), North Staffordshire Hunt riders spilled unexpectedly onto a road a collision occurred between a car and a horse with rider. It would appear that the hunt removed themselves from the scene as quickly as possible leaving a rider lying in the road. The car was quite badly damaged, and the driver was shaken although otherwise “ok”.  We believe that both horse and rider were injured. The police and ambulance were quick to attend. (Staffordshire Hunt Sabs and Manchester Hunt Sabs covered the incident.) This incident is relevant for AAF’s Hunt Road Chaos campaign.
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Previous hunt accidents have also involved children.On 04/04/16, nine year old Bonnie Armitage was fatally injured when she was kicked by another horse whilst out with the Cotswold Hunt.
On 18/11/21, the two year old daughter of the master of the Bedale Hunt, Felicity Francis, died after falling from her pony whilst out with the hunt.
On 26/12/22, a 12 year old girl broke her leg whilst out with the Mendip Farmers Hunt for their Boxing Day meet at Priddy Green.
The hunts don’t seem to care about the risks with their children. Let’s hope the most recent accident puts children off hunting for ever.
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As you know, dogs from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a mine shaft on White Alice Farm, Cornwall, and had to be rescued. It turns out that the hunt did not have permission to be on the farm, so they were trespassing. Trespass is a clear indication of illegal foxhunting – hunts cannot expect us to believe they have laid a trail on someone else’s land.
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Fitzwilliam Hunt supporters attacked the vehicle belonging to Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. An attempt to slash the tyres was made, but the knife was dropped, and windscreen wipers were damaged. Being able to hear the attack, the 999 controller advised the driver to do what was necessary to get out of the situation. Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs Facebook page names those involved.

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You may recall that the Avon Vale Hunt was videoed releasing dug out foxes to their hounds resulting in them being suspended by the British Hound Sports Association (revamped version of the Hunting Office). Drone footage taken by sabs of the Avon Vale Kennels, reveals dead hounds on the concrete floor and in an uncovered skip. Biosecurity appears non-existent. Trading standards has been informed in the past but there has been no improvement. Bath Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the footage.
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Mike Smith, senior master at the Avon Vale has also been permanently excluded by the British Hound Sports Association. He did not feature in the video, but the BHSA has decided he has to go as he was presiding over the illegal and cruel behaviour of the hunt. Of course, we don’t trust the motives of the BHSA as we know that what they are trying to do is preserve their “sport” as opposed to cleaning it up. 

On Saturday 25th Feb, two dogs from the Cheshire Hunt were struck by cars. The police appeared to advise them that they had dogs dangerously out of control and sent them packing (possibly with a dispersal notice). As they hacked back to their meet they took the opportunity to hunt yet another fox which sabs saw to safety.
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On 28/02/23  Three Counties Hunt Sabs reported two slashed  tyres, whilst sabbing the Heythrop Hunt and North Cotswolds Hunt.
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On 28/02/23 sabs from  Manchester and Staffordshire experienced an attack on one of their numbers, perpetrated by the Huntsman of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt. The ‘provocation’ for the attack, if you can call it that, was they had obtained video footage of an injured hound with blood on it. Paul Larby’s assault on the sab and the breaking of a camera was recorded on several sab cameras and an investigation is thought to have been opened.  Staffordshire Police attended, but then the West Mercia Police also arrived.
*******

Police

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmer’s Hunt. This CPW is the direct result of a number of groups’ contributions: North London Hunt Sabs, Suffolk and East Essex Hunt Sabs, East Herts Sabs, Herts Wildlife Monitors, not to mention the members of the public who also provided the background evidence so the police could take action. 

East Essex Hunt supporters were ‘put in their place’ by a rebuke from the police who advised them not to block a public road.
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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs’ report on the Cottesmore Hunt from Saturday has some interesting remarks in it. Police witnessed a fox being chased and sabs “remain hopeful that Leicestershire Police in general will deal with this matter in a firmer manner. They (the hunt) are now so out of control that even when approached by police they just shrug and carry on regardless. They have shown recently they have no respect for animals, (wildlife or their own,) the safety of other people, and no respect for the police.”
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Cumbria Hunt Sabs thanked the police for attending the Blencathra Fox Hounds who met on Sunday the 19th.
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Wiltshire Police have claimed, in a convoluted sort of a way, that it is fine for their officers to be associated with an organisation known for criminal activity. They have more than one officer that goes out hunting and they do not see a conflict of interest, nor do they see that it contradicts the oath they took when they assumed office. These officers, and other senior officers, fail to understand that the public should expect all police officers to be “squeaky clean” at all times, including in their private lives. Cheryl Knight, an officer in the Rural Crime Team, is a hunter and connected with the criminal Avon Vale Hunt.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have organised a petition and a demo asking for this officer to be removed from the Rural Crime Team. The demonstration is planned for the 5th of March outside the Devizes Police Headquarters at 13.00. Here is the petition:

https://chng.it/XJJcWgjsbq
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Wiltshire Police continue to make things worse and worse. Their latest unnecessary FB post told us that they are seeking “independent advice” about how to deal with the proposed demo on 5th March, thereby implying that somehow “sabs” are the most violent sort of people. They appear to be fanning the flames. Is this deliberate? Would they like to see some unrest so that they can justify their biased attitude towards anti-hunting activists?
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Wiltshire Police deserve their own dedicated news bulletin, they feature so often in reports. BBC news reports that a former Police Inspector with the Wiltshire police (Ian Stevenson) has pleaded guilty to possessing extreme images involving bestiality. The force is in Special Measures.
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Cheshire Police seem to be one of the few bright spots in the policing of hunts. After a particularly bad hunting day (Ladies Day, Mon 13th) when the Cheshire Hounds seem to antagonise most of the countryside, by trespassing or badly frightening pregnant ewes, and horses, and cows, and treating farmers and landowners with contempt, Cheshire Police took some positive action. On Saturday (18th) they turned up with the intention of catching the hunts red-handed, or at least imposing some discipline upon them. They had officers with three cars, a drone, and most remarkably, two scrambling bikes which moved across the countryside with speed. The drone may even have recorded an active dig out. We are not privy to what the police gleaned from this operation, but it was undoubtedly a significant event.
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West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that the West Midlands Hunt abandoned their day of hunting after another quad bike was stopped, this time by an unmarked police car. (The police had  also stopped a quad bike on 13/02/23).
*******

Investigations and Prosecutions

The personal CCTV covering a Norfolk couple’s back garden revealed the West Norfolk Fox Hounds at large and out of control. They had killed a fox there and the actual kill is recorded on the video. Norfolk Police have arrested three men. Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report, “We believe the men in custody to be Huntsman Mikey Bell, Whipper-in Adam Egginton, and Hunt Master Andrew Kendall. All three men are also under investigation for assault and robbery on one of our female sabs back in October.”

We now know their bail conditions:-
Not to take part in trail hunting activities.
Not to contact or interfere with witnesses.
Not to be in a public place in charge of a dog not on a lead.
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Norfolk Police booked two hunt supporters as they left the Waveny Hunt. One female was booked because she was using her mobile phone whilst driving. At least the police are now more willing to act against hunts and their lawlessness.
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The Times carried an article on Friday 17/02/23 stating that the Wynnstay Hunt was under investigation for illegal blocking of a badger sett. The headline ran, “Hunt run by friend of King Charles…”. The Times have video of the actual interference with the badger sett and the persons involved.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Hunt Master, George, of the Mendip Farmers Hunt using a whip on a hound.  The RSPCA are now investigating.
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Protect the Wild reports that Ryan Thomas Spence who had been convicted of hare coursing, appealed his sentence, and by so doing had the sentence increased. The sixth month driving ban, which was issued alongside his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and £1000 fine, was increased to 2 years beginning from the date of his appeal.
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Perhaps one of the significant developments that has occurred concerning foxhunting is the fact that the above incident was reported on ITV News. Both the BBC and ITV are more willing to report on foxhunting issues, although the ITV appears to be far ahead of the BBC in its willingness.

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Charles Carter and Guy Loader from the Royal Artillery Hunt were issued with Official Warning in accordance with Salisbury Plain Military Byelaws 1981 Sect 4 para 1&2 for deer chase 22 October 2022. Next time expect prosecution, their solicitor being kept busy.

*******
Mass Sab

On 22/02/23 four of the West Country Hunts had a joint meeting which attracted a mass sab. At least 12 different sab groups were involved. Although this was a joint meet by four hunts, the field only amounted to 30 or so riders. Worse from the hunt’s point of view, there were locals objecting to them

Campaigns

A long-haul Boxing Day campaign by AAF Somerset culminated in a show-down at the full public meeting of Somerset County Council on 22 February. Alyson Rogers, Somerset Coordinator, joined Pip Donovan to speak at the meeting. Alyson’s powerful speech, in which she described how she was intimidated, imprisoned and threatened by followers of the Cotley Hunt during their Boxing Day Meet in Chard was picked up by the local press.
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It turns out that practically every county has a Public Space Protection Order making it an offence for an owner to fail to pick up dog faeces – and nearly every one of them has no exemption for hounds. AAF is expecting a large number of hunts to either be fined for offences, or have to get off their horses and (just like everyone else) deploy a poo bag. For more information, click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

 

Opinion

One of the more egregious statements contained in the review of North Wales policing came from one of their eight officers who gave evidence. He clearly showed his bias towards hunts with the statement that it was normally sabs that initiated violence. How would he know? The police are never there when violence kicks off, and if they were, it probably would not kick off in the first place. In making a statement like that, he chose to be loyal to the hunt and not to his own force, who are trying to improve their practices. That to one side, there is a revealing remark in the North Wales Hunt Sabs report on the Flint And Denbigh Hunt (18th Feb). “One supporter then walked over to the vehicle and struck the sab in the face through the open window. Fortunately for the attacker this is just the type of behaviour that the North Wales police tolerate… well from the hunt anyway“.  There has to be a significant change in attitude from the police in North Wales if they want to improve their relationship with animal welfare activists.
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It might be worth reminding ourselves how the Norfolk Police were just a year ago.

Norfolk/Suffolk HS report on the West Norfolk Fox Hounds for 07/02/22:

“… A further three 999 calls were made, each time the call handler told the sab that they were trying to get to them but each time no one came.“

Further down the same report, “A further 999 call was made but this time the Sab was treated like a nuisance, told that the police had already been and that this incident had been dealt with and then hung up on the desperate Sab as the hounds continued to chase a fox in front of her.“

“At approximately 4 pm the hunt headed in the direction of the meet just as a police car appeared at the meet also. Police appeared to have a nice friendly chat with the hunters who had by now enjoyed a full five hours of hunting and chasing Mammals with hounds, contrary to the hunting act.”

This following link to an article on the Avon Vale Hunt and Wiltshire Police is an eye opener.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/good-riddance-to-the-avon-vale-hunt/?fbclid=IwAR0sFPiSifTljPUrLmacnBf11faVV0AzF1rAJFq776Sw-t0mYi0vspqBZ_E&h=AT03AQjD6mNi4x2XfN9jfs_rsT1Lzj4HF_FP73v1vhtNlDhuFE8vyRpSEw6Pw8YadPrWy9AZLKznNIFZlNQRthvltx-ty1UBjsdQDduXbJKJqldh8BpBEEjL8_gClXpz5k0neJRYeL1MG6o&s=1

 

Latest News 18th Feb 2023
4.23

Investigations & prosecutions

On Wed 8^th Feb, ITV released footage of the Avon Vale Hunt (AVH) digging out two foxes and releasing them in front of hounds. (This is the same hunt that attacked a sab last March causing a bleed on the brain.) On Friday, three members of the hunt were arrested. Yesterday, Tuesday 14/02/23, a further two people (a man and a woman) both aged 25, were arrested and subsequently released pending further investigation.
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Myles O’Connor of the Scottish Buccleuch Hunt was due in court on 14/02/23 due to illegal hunting. We all hope the hunt will not survive the change in Scottish law.
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Cottesmore huntsman, Sam Jones, was videoed jumping a gateway and landing on a sab. He has now been arrested by Leicestershire Police. (The shocking video can be seen on the Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs Facebook page as well as the BBC news website.)
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Georgina Price of the Royal Artillery Hunt has accepted a police caution for having used her horse in an attempt to ride down two Sabs. This is the hunt that uses MOD land on Salisbury Plain and the one that Ben Wallace MP supports. The offence occurred on 05/11/22.  Surrey Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the video.
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A hunt supporter from the Beaufort Hunt was fined by Gloucester Police for “disorder” on 21st November 2022. He drove erratically and threatened a sab. Police concluded the investigation and informed sabs on 14th Feb 2023.
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Police

Warwickshire Police who issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Public Control Notice (PCN), pulled over another of the hunt’s quads again this week. The landowning rider of the quad had two terrier dogs with him.
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Chief Superintendent Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Force is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for hunting. In an article in The Times on 13th Feb, he publicly praised Wiltshire Hunt Sabs for the work they’ve been doing and for helping to deal with the Avon Vale Hunt and its dig out of foxes to be released to hounds. Chief Superintendent Longman wants: “police forces to work with the “volunteers” who monitor hunts so they [the volunteers] could learn how to provide the kind of evidence, such as unedited and time-stamped footage, that could lead to successful prosecutions.” Mr Longman also revealed there had been a sea change in the way that police understand hunting across England and Wales, (particularly as a result of the successful prosecution of Mark Hankinson). We also learned that ”Two police forces in England and Wales are now treating hunts operating in their areas as Organised Crime Groups.“  The change is due, in part to a number of high-ranking police officers having the courage to challenge the general police ethos – that hunts tell the truth and animal welfare volunteers are just trouble makers.
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Cast your mind back to Lacock on Boxing Day 2021. Laura Hughes, a serving Wiltshire Police Officer and member of the Avon Vale Hunt, was one of three officers who failed to keep the peace at the demonstration. Officer Hughes made things a great deal worse by yelling in the face of protesters and, later on, Wiltshire Police denied that her presence was inflammatory. Are Wiltshire Police planning on rethinking that conclusion, now we all know that AVH have been caught hunting illegally?
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Nottinghamshire Hunt Sabs have a special comment in their report from 02/02/23 on their sab of the Burton Hunt. “Special mention to the truly (expletive deleted) useless pair from Lincolnshire Police who timed their arrival perfectly to miss all the illegal hunting and still give sabs a hard time.” There is a lot of bitterness towards the police this year. Is this because some forces are changing their attitude towards illegal hunting and sab groups feel that all forces should be changing?
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Hunts are finding that not all police can be relied on to dance to the hunt’s tune. East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt called the police because they were being followed from the kennels and were claiming harassment. When the police arrived, the sabs pointed out that the brake lights on the hound trailer were not working and the numberplate on the trailer did not match the towing vehicle. The police ignored the harassment complaint, but advised the driver of the hound van that he was not legal to continue. A little later,  hounds from this hunt were seen chasing a fox across Barkway Golf Course. The huntsman was nowhere in sight, so sabs tried to round them up in case they were hit by a golf ball.  
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South Coast Hunt Sabs report that the Sussex Police delayed them while they did a vehicle check. Since sab vehicles are regularly targeted by the police the vehicles are always completely above board. If police were also seen to check hunt vehicles, this would not be such a bone of contention – but it is rare for any sab group to report this happening.
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After a generally held view that the Cheshire police were improving, last Saturday a kennel watcher was delayed by a Police Sergeant at the entrance to the Cheshire Forest Hunt kennels and when questioned about the timing of his tactics, he did not deny that it was intended to let the hunt out. As the public are becoming more aware of the criminality of hunts particularly in the last few weeks, it might be advisable for the police to make sure they have a consistent policy that is defendable. Appearing to help criminality is unacceptable.

*******

Hunt behaviour

The Hunting Office (HO) now renamed the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is thought to have been in possession of the AVH  footage for several weeks and it is reported that the event occurred on 20/12/22. The BHSA advised hunts not to take terriers out this weekend. This advice was widely ignored by hunts. The BHSA, in a desire to appear authoritative and in control dismissed the AVH from their organisation. They feigned shock at the appalling conduct of the hunt but have taken no action against Mr Ollie Finnegan who has very recently pleaded guilty to illegal foxhunting and is now with the Cheshire Hounds.
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Last week we heard about the demise of the Fife Fox Hounds. This week we can report that there is an advertisement inviting a professional or amateur to apply for the role of Huntsman to the Fife Bloodhounds. It looks as though Fife is to get a new bloodhound pack.
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Rumour Control has it that the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt will fold at the end of this season. It has yet to be confirmed.
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The Essex Farmers Hunt, tried to use speed to get away from the North London Sabs. The sabs described it saying,  “it was more like sabotaging a steeple chase!” This hunt was minus its terrier men – were they (unlike many other hunts) actually doing what their governing body advised and not engaging in terrier work?

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Bristol Hunt Sabs report that the Berkeley Hunt hunted through a deer park on Saturday 11^th Feb, where all dogs are supposed to be on leads.

At the end of the hunting day on 1st Feb, the Huntsman from the Weston and Banwell Hunt reversed his hound trailer into the sab vehicle damaging the bumper. He refused to provide insurance details and the dash cam footage has been forwarded to the police.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs had tyres slashed while out with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds on the 11/02/23. They had already seen death of a hunted fox. Levels of violence are expected to increase in Scotland for the last few weeks of this season, as the change in the law might well finish off some of the Scottish hunts. Since police often say they are not there to stop hunting but to make sure there is no breach of the peace, we hope the Scottish Police are sufficiently on the ball to recognise that violence perpetrated towards sabs is likely to be at an all-time high. It is thought their huntsman, Fraser Campbell is going down to Cheshire for next season.
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On 1st February, Three Counties Hunt Sabs report on the Worcestershire Hunt tells us that a sab ”was held up looking after a disabled gentleman at the church who said he had been assaulted by the terriermen, who had punched him to the floor and stolen his walking stick. Our sab called West Mercia Police and paramedics, and he was taken to hospital with a really swollen face to be checked over from potential fractures to his neck, eye socket, cheek, jaw, and probably other parts of his body.”
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On 7^th Feb, hounds from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a disused mine shaft near Porkellis, Cornwall, whilst the hunt was out hunting foxes in the area. It’s believed three hounds fell in, but sabs noted that the hunt (who continued their activities despite the accident) had far fewer hounds than usual, so they suspected the number of hounds in the mine was greater than they made out. The hounds were all rescued overnight.
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On 4th February, The Bicester Hunt invaded an alpaca farm and terrified pregnant females.  The owner was furious and expected an apology from the hunt. But as none was forthcoming, he phoned the hunt master and interrupted his dinner to ask what exactly he and his hounds were playing at trespassing on his land.

*******

Public Outrage

Is the hunts’ grip on the countryside is slipping? Last Monday (13th) the sabs in Cheshire encountered a farmer who was so angry with the Cheshire Hunt that he seized his shotgun and discharged two shots into the air to warn the hunt and hounds to get off his land. This was in addition to a number of furious sheep farmers, a horse-owner trying to ensure the pack didn’t encroach on their farm and another farmer who was quietly helpful. The Countryside Alliance claims to represent all rural people. However, it only represents those who are pro-foxhunting. It does not represent rural people who object to fox hunting, and these people are in the majority, as indicated by AAF’s  Rural Survey from 2022.
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Mike Hill

This week saw the 32nd anniversary of the death of Mike Hill. He died under the back wheels of a trailer driven by a hunt member who was careering wildly down the road trying to throw the sabs out of the trailer. The police weren’t interested and the driver is still engaged in hunting activities.
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Chief Vet is a hunter

Liz Gorse is the Chief Vet for the British Hounds Sports Association and she hunts with the Cheshire Forest. In 2020 her son was convicted and was “banned from caring, breeding and farming animals for the next 10 years“. 8 Cows, 3 calves and 2 sheep were found dead and decomposing on the farm. Liz Gorse the owner of the farm.

actually, People don’t hate foxes

Students from the Royal Agricultural University seriously misjudged the opinion of the majority when they thought it would be a good idea to strap a dead fox to the roof of their car for a charity rally. Like those who fox hunt, they believe that foxes deserve to be treated cruelly and justify it by calling them “pests”. However, the delusional students failed to anticipate the public backlash. They are now waiting for disciplinary action by the University.   

Campaigns

AAF have launched two new “Catch them at it and Report it” campaigns – Hound Faeces and Road Chaos. In public areas, hunts should pick up after their hounds, but generally, they don’t bother. This includes grass verges on country lanes. If they do not – and they are reported – they should be fined.

Also, hunts cannot take risks with their own safety or the safety of others on  roads.  Again, report them. All information you need can be found on these links:

Hunt Road Chaos Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-reporting-it-to-the-health-and-safety-executive/

Hound Faeces Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

Landowners

Do you know of a landowner who allows hunting on their land? If the prosecution of the land-owning Drewetts is successful, all landowners should think twice before allowing the hunt on their land. Download this letter, print it and send it to the landowners.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Letter-to-Landowner-Oct-22.pdf

 

 

Latest News 4th Feb 2023
3.23

BAD NEWS FOR HUNTS

The Airedale Beagles pack has folded. They had been hunting hares since 1891 and this was one of the oldest beagle packs in the country.
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Fife Fox Hounds Hunt has come to an end. This was a 200 year old hunt, finished (we believe) because of the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
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On 24/01/23, the Scottish Government voted to pass the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It doesn’t look water tight, but nonetheless it is seen as a big improvement. Trail hunting is included in the ban. Banning trail hunting in Scotland is a pre-emptive move. The new bill has removed the Scottish hunts’ means of getting around the existing Scottish legislation, which was different from the English legislation.  The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 allows hunts to use a whole pack of dogs to “flush a fox to guns”, meaning the hunts could effectively hunt as they always had. On the other hand, English law limits the number of dogs used to “flush a fox” to two, meaning the hunts had to find another “legal” way of continuing to hunt with a full pack – hence the invention of “trail hunting” which (they claimed) only mimicked real hunting. Fully aware that trail hunting is a smokescreen for fox hunting, the Scottish Government has wisely prevented it from starting.

*******

INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Further details have emerged about the police raid on 18/01/23. Six men were  arrested and 22 dogs seized in a police operation involving Kent, Norfolk, Sussex, and Thames Valley police, and the RSPCA.  The Guardian reports, “it is understood that they were suspected of acting as terrier men, preventing foxes going to ground so the mammals can be caught by dogs.” Evidence from their phones could be crucial.
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Mark Harris, terrier man for the Spooners and West Dartford Hunt, has been found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992). He caused a terrier to enter a protected sett. He said he was instructed to flush and kill the fox by the huntsman Guy Morlock. Mr Harris was ordered to pay a fine of £1000, a victim surcharge of £100 and Crown costs of £900.
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A few weeks ago, the CPS dropped a case against a hunt supporter for attacking a sab, causing a brain bleed. The victim has asked the CPS for a review and this has been accepted.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

North London Hunt Sabs Facebook page show a very brief video of the quad bike assault on their sab. The hunt involved is the East Essex Hunt. The date of the incident was 14/01/23. Police are taking the incident very seriously and are investigating.
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On Sunday 29^th January, Weymouth Animal Rights and AAF met in Milborne Saint Andrew to protest outside the South Dorset Hunt’s Point to Point event. After the hound display, protesters noticed that one dog had been left behind and was running about alone. Hunt staff took no action. The frightened dog struggled through a hedge and out into the road, running in front of cars, queueing to enter the event. While none of those attending the event showed any concern, protesters immediately went to help the dog. Eventually, a member of the hunt came out and approached the dog, who cowered when he grabbed her.
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The Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt turned up at Bellever Forestry Commission car park, probably hoping to trespass on FC land, from which they are banned. However, they found sabs (Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs) already there, so they moved on.

*******

POLICE

North Wales Police accepted assurances from the Flint and Denbigh that they were not going out hunting on 21/01/23, but once they thought the coast was clear the F and D went out hunting in the afternoon. The sabs were on to it very quickly, not so the police.
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On Saturday (28/01/23) the Wynnstay pursued a fox. The Cheshire Monitors hit report states, “… but we were very grateful to locals for joining in to stop them and the police officers standing guard over a fox they’d seen running for its life!”
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Cheshire monitors report for the Wynnstay Hunt on the 29th of January includes the paragraph, “the police that attended all day were good this week and we were really pleased with their input. It’s a shame it can’t always be like that.“
*******

sabs

On Saturday 21/01/23 there was a “mass sab” of the South Dorset Hunt, with perhaps as many as 18 different  groups being involved. The mass sab was to indicate support for the local groups who had had a lone monitor beaten with metal bar.  During the day, another sab was run down by a terrier man on a quad. Sabs have also endured violence and intimidation and had 17-19 tyres slashed in one short period. Dorset Police have a sergeant that goes fox hunting.
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The Severn Vale Beagles was successfully sabbed by the Severn Vale Hunt Sabs. All the beagle packs are vulnerable to sabbing, and this one, too, is feeling pressure. Beagle packs hunt hares and the hunt are on foot.
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The independent review of the North Wales Constabulary policing of  hunts was published on 12/01/23. The Countryside Alliance then published a number of articles focusing on  parts of the report that appeared to discredit saboteurs. However, Protect the Wild has also reviewed the report and their conclusion is the police should just do their job properly.
*******

CAMPAIGNS

AAF (Action Against Foxhunting) have examined 2022 Boxing Day and New Year’s Day town meets and catalogued the results. Given the number of hunts involved this was a mammoth task. They also offer to assist anyone who wants to see their local hunt ousted from their town. They have developed expertise which they are happy to share. The link lets you view their opus, and is an easy read summary.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meet-2022-roundup/
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AAF is also stepping up their campaign to challenge the hunts abuse of roads, where they are always causing obstructions and chaos. Further advice can be found here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-and-healthsafety/

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

To see all previous issues, click here: https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/headlines/

 

Latest news 20th January 23

2/23

Prosecutions

Gamekeeper Paul Scott Allen admitted guilt in Weymouth Magistrates Court. Sentencing is due on 16/02/23. The offences occurred over a period of time. Allen pleaded guilty to seven charges – two of possession of six dead buzzards, and the remains of three more; three charges of keeping banned pesticides and two charges of failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and firearms certificates. 
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On 06/01/23, the trial of Shaun Parish, 33, and Jacob Whalley, 30, of Milton Park in Peterborough was postponed as a witness was unable to attend. It will take place on May 11 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. The men, from the Fitzwilliam Hunt are charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs on March 5^th last year.
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Hartley Crouch, Whipper-in for the Pytchley Hunt, has been successfully prosecuted by Northamptonshire Police. He stole a pet sheep, killed it, skinned it, and fed it to the hounds. The charge was theft. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £775 in costs £150 in compensation and a surcharge of £22.
Late news: Mr Crouch was sacked by the Pytchley and then was going to go to the Beauvoir Hunt. They dropped him, but he is now a whipper-in with the Cottesmore Hunt.
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Andrew Pope, a long time follower of the Weston & Banwell Hunt, admitted guilt to the police and was given a conditional caution. On 21 Dec 21, he tailgated a sab vehicle, and used a thick heavy stick to hit the vehicle windows. The windows stayed intact, but Pope forced his way into the back of the vehicle and started to attack the sabs with the stick. One sab from WAR sustained heavy bruising to their knee and side of their body. This aggressive outburst was witnessed by Pope’s young child. Pope agreed to write a letter of apology to the injured sab. If he repeats this behaviour, he will go straight to court.

******

Corruption

After Ben Wallace MP and Minister of Defence, decided to terminate the arrangement allowing the League Against Cruel Sports to monitor the Royal Artillery Hunt on Salisbury Plain, the Quorn took it upon themselves to hunt on a military base. The land in question is at the Defence Animal Training Centre in Melton Mowbray. Objections to the hunts’ use of MOD land are ongoing, but those who a manage the land (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) refuse to make any changes.

********

Police

On 18/01/23, together with the RSPCA, police raided the home of a terrier man from the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The hunt killed a fox on Saturday 14^th Jan, and assaulted sabs.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Eggesford Hunt making a kill on New Year’s Day. Devonshire police did attend the meet, but they didn’t stay to watch any of the actual hunting. In contrast, on 04/01/23 Cheshire police officers left their cars and proceeded on foot across fields in pursuit of the Cheshire Hounds.
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In September last year, Leicestershire Police had a zoom meeting where various anti hunt persons  (including AAF) were invited to attend. The two officers representing Leicestershire Police were genuine and they want to work more closely with anti-hunting groups. However, Northants Hunt Sabs report that on 7^th January while sabbing the Cottesmore Hunt, the sab vehicle was delayed by an Leicestershire police officer who insisted on checking Insurance validation and driver details.

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On 08/01/23, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report for that Wiltshire Police were “hobnobbing” with a shooting party  but performed no vehicle checks. However the numberplate WV** AFY was out with the shoot and its MOT expired 22/12/22. 
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On 10/01/23, Will Goffe from the Warwickshire Hunt, (the hunt with the Community Protection Notice), spent 30 minutes hiding in a quarry with the hounds whilst Warwickshire Police were in the vicinity.
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On 07/01/23, Sheffield Hunt Sabs posted a video of sabs confronting the man with a knife who had just slashed their tyres. The attacker was arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, something that probably would not have occurred without the temerity and presence of mind of the Sheffield Sabs.
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An independent review of the policing of hunts in North Wales has been published. It was commissioned by the PCC for North Wales Police and it is probably most intended for his reading although no doubt others will be pouring over it.
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On 30/09/22, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull’s car was surrounded by aggressive men and one man attempted to gain entry. He damaged the vehicle while making threats of violence. The group provided statements and video evidence to the police. Part of the police response reads, “after reviewing all the evidence my sergeant has made the decision to take no further action regarding this incident due to evidential reasons.” Previously, Wiltshire Police refused to take action against the hunt member who threw a sab into a ditch resulting in a bleed on the brain.
*******

Hunt Behaviour and violence

On 14/01/23, West Kent Hunt Hunt Sabs filmed Matthew Vater, the huntsman with the East Kent Hunt with West Street, repeatedly riding at a sab. He later knocked one female sab into the air with his horse. They also killed a fox in front of sabs.
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On 07/02/1/23 female members of Cumbria Hunt Sabs were threatened and then attacked by members of North Cumberland Foxhounds.
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On 14/01/23, Cheshire Hounds held a three way joint meet with the Tynedale Hunt and the North Staffordshire Hunt. A hunt member threatened to break both the arms of a sab and also those of an independent monitor. The threat is recorded and the police have the information.
______

The Wynnstay Hunt made it into the national press with the Mirror showing the video clip of the huntsman charging his horse at the Cheshire monitor’s runner and half screaming “I’ll kill you.” The incident happened on 7^th January.

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On 07/01/23, Cheshire Against Bloodsports report that Cheshire Hounds appeared to cause the death of a pregnant ewe. They are very complementary about the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, who actually took details of the huntsman from the huntsman.
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On 14/01/23, another sheep died after the Grafton Hunt went through a field full of pregnant ewes. The farmer said “The sheep were now mixed with a neighbour’s flock and one was dead in the river”. Police are investigating.
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On 14/01/23,, the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hunted on MOD land.  A local resident reported the killing of a fox but the hunt have denied it.

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On 10/01/23, Sheffield Sabs were again attacked, and the video evidence is extensive. The attacker continued whilst being filmed by various cameras. At that same meet of the Grove and Rufford, hounds trespassed and ran along an active railway line not long before a train passed. Again there is video evidence of the trespass.

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On 14/01/23, West Sussex Hunt Sabs had a rough time. The vehicle was blocked by a dairy stockman and then driven into from the side by a woman from the farm, using a low loader – a bailer with forks attached. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. The report does not say how well covered this incident is with video but the police appear to have been informed.

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The South Dorset Hunt are suspected of a number of violent and unpleasant incidents. On 14/01/23, a member of Weymouth Animal Rights found two dead foxes in her back garden. Both animals had met violent deaths. On the same day, a monitor watching the South Dorset Hunt was hit in the back by a projectile – possibly a ball bearing fired from a catapult. The monitor was seriously bruised. Police were called and spoke to convicted hunt master, Mark Pearson. A police firearms team arrived. WAR report that “unbelievably they (the police) did not search the suspects or even pull them over”.
Additionally, North Dorset Hunt Sabs had another vehicle tyre incident. The report reads “after the hunt had finished a sab was driven to collect her car and on arrival was informed by a resident that a masked, hooded quad person had started letting down the tyres. He was prevented from completing the task when a police officer appeared who was about to leave for duty.
A couple of weeks ago, the South Dorset Hunt were suspected of slashing of 17-19 tyres belonging to animal welfare persons. They are also suspected of assaulting a monitor with a metal bar.
_______

On 14/01/23, a Land Rover from the Worcester Hunt drove at foot sabs from the Herefordshire Hunt Sabs. The sab vehicle was also attacked.
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On 14/01/23, The Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed terrier men netting the exit of an artificial earth and preparing to put a terrier down another entrance. The sab group was  pleased with a police response, saying: “Gloucestershire Police attended promptly, efficiently, and the matter is being dealt with.”
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On 14/01/23, Mendip Farmers Hunt hunted through Chew Valley Animal Park. The owner described how hounds were in cry and jumping into animal pens with terrified goats and camels and traumatising other resident animals. There is CCTV evidence of the trespass. The Mendip Farmers Hunt continued, trespassing on more private land upsetting the landowners horses.

*******

Other News

On 14/01/23, West Cornwall Hunt Sabs found something else to do after turning up at the Western Hunt meet and finding nothing going on. They tell us: “We spotted this little dude (a bird) sat in the middle of the road about to get squished! He was all hunched and soaked in a puddle. Never flinched when we scooped him up. We have a fantastic bird rehabber on the team. Luckily, it looks like he had just got a bit cold and wet. With a check over and dried off under a heat lamp he was fit to fly free again.”

 

Check that you’ve signed this petition:
https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Latest News  7 January 2023

1/23

Coming Soon

“Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Meets” – Special edition of Latest News  coming soon. If you went to a meet, please tell AAF about it here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/data-collection-boxing-day-2022-and-new-years-day-meets-2023/

 

POLICE

The Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. In May, they issued the Hunt with a warning notice about the antisocial use of the country road network but the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN. The Police statement reads:- “The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point.Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“

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This is a sentence from the East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs: –

“Every week they kill foxes, block us in, break the law, but when we call the police they very rarely attend, when the hunts call them full of lies and fabricated stories they turn up then harass.”

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The West Kent Hunt Sabs also understand about police harassment. On 17th December, police arrested a sab for standing outside the kennels and his offence was… harassment!

(The video of the incident leading to the arrest shows that the sab was arguing with the police, and this was too much for them to bear and so he was arrested for whatever came into their mind. In this case harassment.) Kent Police are being advised by an ex huntsman whose name is Mike Bax. There is now a petition asking for the removal of Mike Bax as an advisor to the Kent police. Additionally, the Kent Police Officer, Bethan Dumbarton-Scott, is in a relationship with the East Kent huntsman Matthew Vater.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-mike-bax-as-key-advisor-to-kent-police-on-rural-crime

Please sign it.

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Cast your mind back to 2016, and you might remember PC Claire Ford said she was off-duty but nonetheless took it upon herself to assist the Cheshire Hounds by removing sabs from the area they were hunting. She was driving around on a quad at the time.The police review said that she was preventing a breach of the peace. The police investigation whitewashed her offences but she was moved to routine policing in Congleton. To the best of our knowledge she did not go out again, supporting the hunt. PC Claire Ford (now, Claire Roberts) has now, not only been dismissed from the Cheshire Police Force but has incurred a suspended prison sentence (8 months suspended for 18 months), 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. She imparted information gleaned through the police to a private individual. The conduct was detected by Staffordshire Police, and Cheshire police did an audit of her use of the police computers. There are elements of the police force that would like to work closer with sabs, but the sabs will not work with them, they are not trusted. This case highlights how untrustworthy some police can be. You wouldn’t even need access to the police computers if you are a hunt sympathiser and in the police force. You could form your own WhatsApp group (like the Charing Cross police) and information can flow freely but undetected. And yet police forces throughout the country continue to accept police officers within their ranks who are clearly involved with hunts.

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Wiltshire Police learned from last year’s riot at the Avon Vale Hunt’s Boxing Day Meet in Lacock. Last year, an officer who rides with the hunt attended the meet, violence erupted and several hunt supporters were prosecuted and convicted. This year, officers were asked to step out if they had any association with a hunt. Police also booked some hunt supporters for illegal parking. If police really do want to improve relations with hunt sabs and monitors, they should follow Wiltshire’s lead, and at the very least, ask officers if they are associated with the hunt in any way before allowing them to attend calls relating to hunting activity.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 22/12/22 the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt were hosted at the Horsehill Farm Livery, the running of which is assisted by a serving Dorset police officer. The parents of the officer go out with the hunt. On 22 November, The BSV were videoed encouraging hounds to chase a fox out of its hiding place in a hollow tree. The video very clearly shows illegal hunting. However, to date, no Dorset officer has been assigned this case to investigate. We don’t believe this is a coincidence.

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North London Hunt Sabs report that last February the Puckeridge Hunt were able to co-opt the police force to the hunt’s benefit. Since then, the sabs have engaged with the Hertfordshire Police who have had some relevant training arranged and provided by the League Against Cruel Sports. This year the Puckeridge Hunt was not able to co-opt the police as their private security.
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On 29/12/22 supporters from The South Dorset Hunt got a bit uppity and drove dangerously at the sab Landy. The police were called. Two cars turned up within minutes. Dash cam footage is being forwarded to the police. The police, having been requested, remained for the rest of the day.
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The Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs page report for the 31/12/22 meet states,  “the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt were yesterday challenged by police officers from Essex Police Rural Engagement  Team. Weapons and phones were seized after a member of the public… was assaulted…by” members of the hunt.  If the Essex Police follow through with their investigations they will be held in high regard by much of the animal welfare community.

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Hunt Behaviour and Violence

Tue 19/12/22 –  Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) report that two supporters of the South Dorset Hunt attacked a hunt monitor with a metal bar. He had serious head injuries as well as injuries to his hands and body and he was robbed of his camera. Their Huntsman, Mark Pearson was found guilty of fox hunting on 19/10/22. The victim – a well-known, longstanding, deeply-respected monitor, received immense support from the rest of the Dorset anti-blood sports community, not to mention four very nice bottles of red wine from AAF.  Will Dorset Police take action?  (Last March the Wiltshire police had video evidence relating to an attack on a sab, which left him in a ditch with a bleed on the brain. After a delay of over six months the Wiltshire police then dropped the case.)-On Boxing Day, supporters from the same hunt (South Dorset) slashed 19 tyres on WAR’s vehicles. The hunt PR system got into action as by the following morning (27th Dec) the front page of the Telegraph had an anodyne 2 column inches (and further coverage about hunts on Page 6) asking members not to engage with sabs. The DT deprived their readership of information indicating how extensive and pre planned this vandalism was. Of the 19 tyres slashed, four occurred as the hunt set out from the meet, with non-hunt participants having their car surrounded and all four tyres slashed. This triggered a response from the Police Armed Response Unit as it involved knife crime. (Don’t all tyre slashing events involve knife crime)? Weymouth Animal Rights and North Dorset Hunt Sabs both got their vehicles retyred in record time and were on the scene for sabbing duties by 12 noon, much to the hunt’s chagrin, as they believed they had neutralised the sabs for their day’s hunt.

(Weymouth Animal Rights Facebook page gives a fuller account.)
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Two more tyres slashed courtesy of Grove and Rufford, and one courtesy of the Isle of Wight Hunt.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 21/12/22 they were escorting the Western and Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt back to their kennels when there was an attack on the sab vehicle. The assailant had swerved in front of them forcing them to stop, grabbed a hefty walking stick and then proceeded to attack the vehicle, open the back door and apparently attack the sabs as well. They have clear video footage of the incident which is being submitted to the police, who incidentally were in attendance very quickly.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs report the Boxing Day Meet of the Eggesford Hunt resulted in two violent events. The Huntsman Jason Marles struck a sab on the head with the handle of his riding crop. A supporter rammed a sab with a quad causing a leg injury.
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Sabs from various groups sabbed the Wynnstay and Cheshire Hounds this week. A terrier quad tried to reverse into a sab and then drove forward deliberately striking a sab on the arm. Police were called and did respond.
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The East Yorkshire Coast Sabs caught on camera a head-butting assault on one of their sabs. They will pass it to the police but are not confident of any action or reaction from them.
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The Warwickshire Hunt, the hunt with the Public Community Notice (CPN) was out on the 28th. Their conduct was clearly modified by the presence of Warwickshire Rural Police and they had to abandon the chase of a fox. The hunt still managed to get themselves filmed causing traffic disruption on the A425, which is very unwise. It would appear that 2 police forces showed a presence as the Northants police also turned up, but their objective seemed to be to have been to put pressure on the sabs, which failed miserably, and might even cause a certain amount of conflict between forces. Let’s hope so. On the 29th the hunt was out again and Will Goffe was asked if he had notified the police specifically of times they were crossing roads (in compliance with the CPN)… because the sabs had (noted it). 

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Mass Sabbing

On 2 Jan, Surrey Hunt sabs were joined by a number of other groups – South Coast, Brighton, Reading, Kingston, some Irish sabs from Connacht & Leinster and Surrey Hunt Monitors – to spoil the Surrey Union’s day. The hunt met next to Hankley Common – MOD land. They packed up by 2pm. Some locals (with children) thanked the sabs for being there and we have it on good authority that the children firmly believe that sabs are heroes (we agree).
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Corruption

Ben Wallace MP, ex Sandhurst, and Minister for Defence has suspended a memorandum of understanding with the League against Cruel Sports (LACS) whereby the MOD would inform LACS of where the hunt would take place so they could monitor the hunt for legal activity. The outcome of that is, of course, to help a hunt, particularly the Royal Artillery Hunt. It also openly indicates that the party of Law and Order thinks that Law and Order should not inhibit the hunt from their illegal activity. The HSA has released a censored email showing the frustration of MOD staff in dealing with the RA Hunt stating that any other organisation behaving the way the hunt behaved, would be banned from MOD land ( notably Salisbury Plain). The email also showed that the hunt were booking to hunt on one part of the Plain, while actually intending to hunt in a different area. The arrangement with LACS was mentioned and hey presto, it was AFTER this that Mr Wallace decided to end it, citing bad behaviour by LACS!

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Investigations, prosecutions and convictions

Thu 22/12/22 West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that Gavin Field, a core member of the Warwickshire Hunt ,accepted a caution under section 4A of the Public Order Act for causing fear, alarm or distress after he was filmed stealing the keys from a sab vehicle and running off with them. He then threw them over the hedge shouting “here’s your f***g keys“.
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The Essex and Suffolk Hunt were caught red-handed digging out a fox. On Boxing Day, while their Master was making the oddest of speeches at their meet, Suffolk Against Foxhunting slipped away and found terrier men  loitering around a badger set, and while they were asking them what they thought they were playing at, a beautiful fox popped out of the hole. Police are investigating.

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Struggling Hunts

East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt will amalgamate with the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt next year.

The Cheshire Monitors’ take on the Wynnstay Hunt makes interesting reading. They really do feel the hunt is under pressure in every way… a huntsman having to lie under oath over and over again, locals standing up against the hunt and feeding information back to the monitors, money troubles, and strife within their own camp.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any inaccuracies, or would like to give feedback, please either leave a comment or email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

 

Latest News 17 December 2022

Hunt Behaviour

Many hunts decided not to go out this week because of the very cold weather. This gave sabs, monitors and wildlife a bit of a break. The Wynnstay ventured out on foot but when the huntsman realised he had sabs present, he returned to base.
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The Warwickshire Hunt Sabs provided film footage taken on the 22nd October of the Warwickshire Hunt verbally abusing a sab and using the term “Fatty” 28 times. The Independent newspaper covered the story and shows the footage on its 30/11/22 online edition. Now that’s it is in the public domain, I doubt if the huntsman feels quite as smug as he felt when he was taunting the sab.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs have a report of an ordeal they had with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox Hounds, who were trying to kill a fox that had gone to ground. The violence against the one or two female sabs is appalling. It will be interesting to see if the police take any action on this because it is one of the worst examples of hunt violence that I have come across.
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The Wynnstay are advertising for a new huntsman. Chris Woodward (the defendant in the case which was dropped – see below) is leaving. North Wales Hunt Sabs also report that some of the masters of that hunt are leaving and maybe the whipper-in too. There may be some dissent within their ranks.
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The day after Mr Finnegan of the Cheshire Hounds was convicted of foxhunting (Tue 6/12/22) he was again out hunting. During the course of that day his terrierman assaulted sabs. Two members of North Wales Hunt Sabs were run in to by the quad. When Mr Finnegan committed the  offence to which he admitted guilt, he was enjoying a joint meeting with the Ledbury Hunt. Despite this, Herefordshire Council have granted permission for the Ledbury Hunt to hold their Boxing Day meet in Ledbury town centre. It seems criminality is not an obstacle to self promotion or council endorsement. Ledbury Hunt have actually claimed that they know nothing at all of the conviction.
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North Dorset Hunt Sabs also a report a serious assault of a lone female sab, on 5^th December 2022.
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On 10^th December, Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt drove his car at a monitor, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. While his victim was on the ground, Carter took his camera. It was later found, smashed. A serious altercation then occurred between the monitors and the hunt. Police were called, but as this was Wiltshire, no action was taken. Carter (who has had TWO cases of illegal foxhunting dropped by the CPS, one due to a procedural error) is the “competent person” who wrote the risk assessment for the hunt.

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Court

On 11/12/22 Cheshire monitors released the footage which the CPS considered was insufficient evidence to pursue a case of foxhunting against Chris Woodward of the Wynnstay Hunt. In court the hunt members attempted to intimidate the witness who was willing to stand and give evidence. Another witness would not give evidence for fear of reprisals.
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6/12/22, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court: Ollie Finnegan now Huntsman with the Cheshire Hounds, has pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7/1/22, whilst he was the Huntsman with the Quorn Hunt. Leicestershire Police force seized his phone and found incriminating text messages, which furthered the case against him.
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Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham from the Beaufort Hunt were due in Swindon Magistrates Court on 8^th and 9^thDecember 2022. There had been numerous previous hearings and much public money spent. On the morning of the 8^th, the case was suddenly and inexplicably dropped. The Beaufort is King Charles’ hunt. His good friend, Lord Mancroft is also part of it. We can’t think why it was dropped…
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John Lewis of the Lamerton Hunt was due in Plymouth Magistrates Court on 09/12/22, charged with having dogs dangerously out of control. The offence occurred 5/2/22. The result of this case is not yet known but it is interesting that the offence refers to dogs dangerously out of control.

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Police

Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team report on their Facebook page that they have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. They say they have done this because they issued the hunt with a warning notice in May 2022 about the anti-social use of the country road network. They say that the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN.
“ The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point. Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“ Because of the right to appeal, it is obviously not a done deal yet, but this will send shockwaves through the hunting community and through the various organisations that offer them tacit protection.
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On Sat (3/12/22) Kent Police positioned themselves to stop sab vehicles outside of the East Kent Hunt kennels, thereby denying the sabs the opportunity to follow the hunt to its meet. The police were successful and the sabs chose to find another hunt. Well done to the Kent Police.  You haven’t just aided and abetted illegal hunting by one hunt, but sent a signal to hunts all over the country that some police forces are still on the side of illegal hunting and against groups who legally try and oppose it. The police know it, we know it, that there will be no retribution against the police for this deplorable conduct.
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Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) report that the police rescued a hound from a deep water tank.  The Cheshire Hunt had left this hound behind and it was the reaction of a quick thinking officer from the rural crime team that pulled the hound out of the tank. The Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) are, in fact, full of praise for the police effort yesterday. The police challenged the behaviour of the terrier men and were prepared to get their feet muddy.
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6/12/22: Staffordshire Hunt Sabs report that the North Staffs Hunt has had to pack up early as the hunt staff agreed with the police that the hounds had been out of control.
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It looks as though control of the hounds is becoming a bigger issue. It is easier to prove, rather than the more difficult to prosecute offence of foxhunting.

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Bad news for hunts

The Saltersgate Farmers Hunt have been caught digging out a badger sett on land controlled by the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Authority has banned the hunt from that particular area which is good, but it is felt that the Authority needs to ban the hunt from all of the areas under its control. Observations to this effect can be made to: general@northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Other news

 ‘Keep the Ban’ has a new website.

It is now ‘Protect the Wild’.  It has the following website address. Just as we like others to support us I am sure they’d appreciate a visit. It’s a fine website – with the search bar sliding smoothly in from the right in an elegant and rather impressive way.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/
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Astonishing though it is, some churches actually support hunting. In Shropshire, a service for The United Pack, was arranged at St George’s Church in Clun on Sunday 11^th December. Shropshire AAF asked people to contact the church politely and ask them to reconsider, given that hunts are keen on animal cruelty – and that cannot be Christian. The service was cancelled, not on moral grounds, but because a member of the clergy received emails, which she thought were threatening.
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The cold weather has kept the badgers underground. Underground badgers have kept the shooters at home. This has given the anti-cullers a welcome break.

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Hunts and the public

Another case of hunt trespass occurred on Sat 10/12/22 and was reported by Three Counties Hunt Sabs when the Cotswolds Hunt were asked to leave land by the land owner.
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The following has been borrowed from the Peterborough Hunt Sabs. “This week an elderly birdwatcher was knocked down by the out-of-control Fitzwilliam Hunt while they were out walking. “At least 30 fox hounds came charging down the path in full cry and knocked me down, I complained to the red coat on horseback but he just shouted “we’ve been doing this for 350 years!” And rode off!” We’re not sure that knocking over elderly birdwatchers for 350 years is much to boast about.

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Sab News

Yet another new group has formed. It is called the Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs. Amongst their other activities they are organising a demo against the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt meet in Tavistock on Boxing Day. Good luck to WDHS!
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Drones are becoming a integral part of sab groups’ toolkits. Sheffield Hunt Sabs did a fund raiser in order to buy one, and hit their target in less than 24hours. Good effort.

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Boxing Day

With help from some parish and town councils, many Boxing Day meets are still going ahead. Grantham, is the exception (well done GABS), and a number of others are also looking unlikely or at least, compromised. There is a list on Grantham Against Bloodsports Facebook Page. AAF has been campaigning all year, challenging the meets on grounds of health and safety. To challenge these meets, you need evidence; Boxing Day 2022, and New Year’s Day 2023 are our only two opportunities to collect it. Go to the meets, take a camera and film. Here’s some advice about what to look for:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-meets-watch-listen-record/

Somerset County Council has astonished all of us by using EMERGENCY road closures to facilitate three Boxing Day meets. They say that this is because the hunts have not applied for proper road closures in time. CALL TO ACTION – email a complaint to the council. Protect the Wild has made it very easy to do. Click here for more details.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/news/somerset-county-council-using-emergency-powers-help-hunt-parades/

Latest News 3 December 2022

Hunt Violence, Cruelty and Law-Breaking

Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that whilst out sabbing the Grove and Rufford Hunt, the ex-master Gerard Farmer arrived with some of his friends and they proceeded to slash all four of the tyres on the sab vehicle. This happened on 19th November. A police investigation is underway. I do not know if this is the same vehicle that was seized by the Derbyshire police about four weeks ago, but with the police being so helpfully disposed towards the hunters and cullers, one has to ask, why would the hunt NOT conduct themselves like this. There is little risk of the police taking action against them.

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The West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue, unintimidated by the hunt or by the police, to sab the Warwickshire Hunt. On 12th November, they met with the usual disgraceful conduct. A sab was assaulted by hunt steward Harry Sawyer. It’s on camera.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that the South Dorset Hunt had a hound injured by a motorist on 22 November.  Hunt support removed the hound whilst it was still howling in pain. The same hunt trespassed on land owned by a racehorse stud farm. The owner inconveniently interrupted their pursuit of a fox. He also told them to stop disturbing his valuable livestock. If that wasn’t enough, they also got their hounds muddled up with hounds from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt who were hunting in the SAME FIELD. Both hunts were being sabbed at the time.

I’ve included the link to the report below, as this one really defies imagination.

https://www.facebook.com/mendiphuntsabs/posts/pfbid0hFeE58hSGRoF32T6CNJXtMVZxynJtMg7RkPbTXyWXyjjVpzue9vUnPp5HZwZ13jVl

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On 26th November,  the Albrighton Hunt left one of their injured hounds wandering alone in the dark after they had packed up. Reported by Staffordshire Hunt Sabs.

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Again, on 26th November, South Cambridge Hunt Sabs had two tyres slashed at the start of their sabbing day. They think they know who the perpetrators were and have submitted evidence to the police.

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Still on 26th November, Wildlife Crime Action has the video of the pack of hounds ragging a fox in the middle of a field. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale huntsman and terrier man are there, and like any good trail hunters they had come equipped with a plastic bag to remove the evidence. It is unpleasant footage. The footage has been shared in an attempt to force Avon and Somerset Police to take action.

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On Tue 29th November  Calder Valley Hunt Sabs report a hound of the Grove and Rufford, killed on the busy A614 road. The picture of a sab cradling the dead hound is deeply moving. Poor dog. Poor sab. We feel so sad for both of you.

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Sab successes

On Saturday (19th Nov) Cottesmore Hunt was sabbed by 90-100 sabs, as result of their attack on a sab a couple of weeks ago. A sheep collapsed and had bleeding from one eye and its nose, after the Cottesmore Hunt passed (rampaged) through the field. South Lodge Farm seemed indifferent to the animal suffering. They may even have been abetting the hunt.

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Police

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs who have to contend with the incredibly bad policing of the Wiltshire police, photographed the Conservative MP James Gray out on foot, with the Beaufort Hunt on 19th November. Bath Hunt Sabs also covered this event. Mr Gray MP said it was a legal hunt and but failed to account for at least eight terriermen!

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On 19th November 22, the West Kent Hunt Sabs are reporting that the Kent Police impounded two quads that were out with the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The terrier men were driving without insurance, tax and had swapped number plates.  The new precedents we now have, are;- North Wales police inspecting the contents of the box in front of the quad, Leicestershire Police ticketing bad parking at the meeting of a hunt in a village, and now Kent Police taking two quads away on a low loader. Tellingly, the West Kent Hunt Sabs go on to comment that they hope the police officers’ careers will not be adversely affected by their action as the Hunt is protected by senior officers in Kent Police. Kent Police still have Mike Bax as the Head of the advisory group to the Kent Police Rural Crime Team. Mike Bax is a former huntsman and was drummed out as head of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

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On 17th November, Wildlife Crime Action report that a serving officer with Dorset Police forwarded a post recently, advertising a horse for sale which included the description, “been cubbing and hound exercise“. It is alleged that that the unnamed officer regularly attends the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt meetings. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually feel that police in this country were accountable.

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On 29th November,  Nottingham Hunt Sabs filmed of one of the Quorn huntsmen attempting to steal sab property by grabbing at the camera. The sab retained the camera but it was destroyed in the tussle.  One may have thought there was enough evidence for the police to take action, but this is an English police force and the offenders are Foxhunters.

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Court Happenings

The CPS has just withdrawn evidence of a fox being chased by the Wynnstay Hunt. This may be a prelude to a not guilty verdict.

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The members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt that rammed the Manchester vehicles are still awaiting sentencing. The crime happened on 19th March 2019.

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Calls to action

There is a petition to ban the Ledbury Hunt from the town on  Boxing Day. Here is the link.

https://chng.it/KGSPRWdjcv

After two years, Somerset County Council have finally accepted that hunts, just like everyone else, MUST follow the usual procedures for staging their public Christmas meets. AAF wants to hear from anyone who knows anything about objections to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day Meets. Please complete our contact form and we will get back to you straight away. We can help with protests and objections.

Boxing Day and NYD Contact Form

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Bad News for Hunts

Not close to home, but a very old hunt in Ireland has folded, (Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt).

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Other News

The HSA has put out a newsletter summing up the progress made since the release of the webinars. One of the most startling statements in the press release states “… A host of other hunts are set to bite the dust this season,…” That is a very surprising statement from people who have been so totally immersed in having to be realistic about the survivability of hunts and hunting. Let’s hope they are right.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team stopped a trailer not far from the venue of the Warwickshire Hunt Ball. Having been lied to by the driver, officers searched the trailer and found a bunch of silly people inside, on their way to their annual bash where they celebrate the fox killings of the past year.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any mistakes or would like us to add something, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Saturday 19th November 2022

What have the hunts been up to?

This week, we learned of the tragic death of Matrix the Cat, at the hands of the Brocklesby Hunt. We are sad for the cat and for his owners. But, this doesn’t end here. We will get justice. 

On 14^th November, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt supporters appear to have lobbed a firework into the vehicle belonging to the North Dorset Hunt Sabs.
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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that hunts are still hunting on National Trust land and the National Trust is not taking action to deal with the trespass.

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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs, reporting on the Cottesmore Hunt, noted:  ‘…a distressed sheep farmer was furious that the hunt had frightened her pregnant ewes, disregarding a previous request for them to stay away from the flock.’ That could trigger sheep aborting over the next couple of days. No wonder she was furious. The same hunt removed a “Road Closed” sign on the A6003 so they could continue down the road unhindered.

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Weymouth Animal Rights report that on 5/11/22 the South Dorset Hunt chased and killed a deer.  Footage of the incident will be put forward to the police.
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On November 13^th, the Blencathra Foxhounds held an illegal fox hunt in the Carrock Fell area. This involved illegal hunting, trespassing across Lake District National Park, driving quads across LDNPA land. They also cleared the area of visitors first, by bullying  holiday-makers and day trippers out of the way first.

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Cambridge Hunt Sabs report that, at a joint meeting of 1) the Puckeridge Hunt and 2) Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt, the hunters and their supporters were excessively disposed towards aggression.

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What’s gone wrong for the hunts and right for us?

Here is an unexpectedly great result. Four weeks ago we reported on the conviction for illegal foxhunting of Mark Pearson, from the South Dorset Hunt. Here is a rather welcome follow up from AAF (Action Against Foxhunting). “Waitrose have suspended their relationship with Mark Pearson who supplied them with milk”. A successful and very speedy AAF & WAR (Weymouth Animal Rights) campaign

If you are willing to add more pressure to what has already borne fruit, here is a related petition from last week, triggered by the successful prosecution.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/richard-drax-stop-allowing-the-hunts-to-use-your-land/

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The Kings Head Pub in Pebmarsh, who inadvertently hosted the East Essex Hunt on 12^th November, won’t be doing that again. It turned out that the pub didn’t know the booking was for the hunt. The pub don’t support the hunt and they will not be welcome there again. We understand that this is a REALLY VERY NICE PUB, and if you are in Pebmarsh, pop in for a quick drink and say thank you._______

The Wynnstay Hunt could be in more difficulties than it realises. On Saturday 5^th Nov, the police attended in an unmarked car. The hunt had changed the venue of their opening meeting perhaps because they were no longer welcome at their traditional seasonal start point. With sabs present, and the police present, the hunt was very subdued and cautious, and probably actually afraid of being caught hunting illegally. How long will it be before the hunters, Lord Lieutenant and/or the High Sheriff, lose their nerve and decide they ought not to be bringing public opprobrium against the crown?

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Are the police more good than bad now?

West Kent Hunt Sabs have revealed a link between a former huntsman and the Kent rural police. As the sabs remark, “This explains why no action is ever taken when we contact Kent police about illegal hunting activity.” In a just world the Kent Police would try and account for their conduct. More likely they will just ignore the complaints.

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A post appeared on a pro hunter’s Facebook page complaining about Cumbrian Police’s presence at North Cumberland’s fox hunt on 20^th October 2022. The poster just COULD NOT understand why the police sent two police cars to investigate an allegation of illegal foxhunting. We’ll answer that – it’s because you were breaking the law and that’s what police are for.

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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that a fox fled away from the hunt into private property on 9^th November. The home owner called the police and the controller replied that trespass was not a criminal offence and the hunt were exercising their hounds. Cumbria Police did however attend and they are taking positive action regarding the handling of the call. The report also shows a picture of the fox, on the roof of the house next door, trying to escape the hunt.

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There was another precedent this week, this time reported by the Nottingham Hunt Sabs.  “Hunt supporters blocked roads and police ticketed the vehicles that were parked dangerously in the village.” The hunt involved was the Quorn and the Police force was the Leicestershire Police. (Last week’s precedent was the North Wales Police insisting in viewing the contents of the box on the front of a quad.)

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The North Yorks Police have joined other forces that can’t move forward, and continue to allow themselves to be manipulated by the hunts. On 5^th November, the East Yorks Coast Hunt Sabs had the North Yorks Police version of law enforcement displayed to them when they sabbed the Derwent Hunt. Six officers with four cars and threats of arrest were the order of the day.

https://www.facebook.com/page/1426555787466531/search/?q=police

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Court Happenings

Arun Squire, Huntsman of the Puckeridge Hunt, was due to face trial on Tuesday 15th November. The trial has been postponed until the 15th/16th May 2023 with a case management hearing due on 22nd of March.

Mr Squire therefore remains on bail for the rest of the hunting season.
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Tim Ingram formally whipper in with the Mendip Farmers Hunt and now Huntsman for the South Tetcott Hunt has pleaded guilty to criminal damage having been recorded on dash cam, being driven past the sab vehicle as a passenger on a quad, and kicking out at it. It has cost him a total of £912 and he now has a criminal record. There is no mention, however of any action being taken against the 16-year-old driver of the illegal quad. It could be that this is under Wiltshire police jurisdiction, so no further action will be taken.

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Last week, David Thomas from Dwyryd Fox Hounds received a jail sentence of 24 weeks and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. He had been convicted of six offences under the animal welfare act. He has now appealed this sentence, and it has been reduced to 13 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. What a farce.

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A football striker, Kian Harratt, with Bradford city FC has been convicted of hare coursing. The 20-year-old, from Pontefract, was sentenced along with two other men at Beverley Magistrates Court after being stopped by police in East Yorkshire on 3 April.

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Myles O’Connor, of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt (a Scottish hunt) has pleaded not guilty to illegal fox hunting. The offence occurred on 22/12/21. His trial will be in the New Year.

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On November 16^th, Daniel Cherriman, master of the South Shropshire Hunt pleaded guilty (probably because he couldn’t think of a defence) to hunting offences and was fined £600 for “disturbing a fox”. He was very that he would “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs. We would ask Mr C to add in “anti bloodsports campaigners”  just to make sure he includes all of us who will be subjecting him to adverse comments.

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Wiltshire Police have dropped the case against the terrier man who assaulted a sab last March, resulting in a bleed on the brain.

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Other News

In June several interested people raised an objection to the plans for a farm in Cheshire to start a mobile zoo business under the banner “Zoo2U“. The planning application has been rejected and, as is so often the way, an amended plan has been submitted.

You/we have until the 18th of November to register objections.

The proposed site is owned by a Badger Cull Director.

Here is the link.

https://freedomforanimals.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f8f4a3f22312d6cf35dc262ab&id=f99da7fed1&e=c74604483f

Thank you for reading.

“HEADLINES” is produced by Foxy Blether and AAF. If you spot any inaccuracies, or have something to add, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org. Thank you to the sab and monitor groups whose stories we have shared. 

Latest News 5th November 2022

 

Prosecutions, investigations and convictions

A member of the Portman Hunt was given a 16 week community order for assaulting a sab from north Dorset Hunt Sabs on on Saturday 24th September at Ochill, North Dorset.
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This next one one is shocking. We know that Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt was in court for illegal hunting, and that the case was dropped because of a “technicality”. Salisbury Plain Monitors have now released all the footage (which shows Carter to be as guilty as sin. So why was the case dropped? Read the details here: https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/royal-artillery-hunt-a-licence-to-kill/

A Prestatyn man, (Philip Stevens) has been found guilty of badger baiting at Mold Magistrates Court. He received a sentence of 24 months prison, suspended for 12 months, 180 hours of community service, costs of £500 and victim surcharge of £128. He was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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The following incident occurred at the Cottesmore Hunt on Tuesday 25th October. A woman sab (Lisa Jaffray) was run into by a hunt supporter. The driver drove off without stopping. The victim was taken to hospital, and was discharged the following day. Leicestershire police say “A 59-year-old woman, from Knossington, was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent (Wednesday 25^th October). She has since been released under investigation.”

(DI Charles Edward is investigating).
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A jail sentence of 18 months has been meted out to Luke Rix (32) from South Warwickshire, who filmed  himself hunting wildlife. The film reveals a very sadistic nature and he has also been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and was ordered to pay £500 and £128 victim surcharge.
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Police

The difference between different police forces attitudes towards hunting could eventually become a scandal. Hunts will be looking to hunt outside their territory to favour the areas that have hunt-sympathetic or corrupt policing.

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The sit-on-their-hands-and-do-nothing Wiltshire Police seem to have done nothing to progress the case against the assailant who caused the bleed on the brain for a sab. The assault occurred last March.
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The North Wales police insisted that the terrier man, from the Flint and Denbigh, who said the box on the front of his quad was empty, should open the box for the police to see. There was, of course, a terrier there. The terrier man was informed that there was no place for terriers on a trail hunt. However, no further action appears to have occurred. ‘Going equipped’ is not a hunting offence, but we’re looking into this.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have a lot of problems with the Royal Artillery Hunt, and a lack of police action. The following, in part, would explain why: “…we also know this farm hosts Wiltshire Police and allows them to train their police dogs on their land so if you’re ever hoping for this lot to face the force of the law you will be sorely disappointed“.  You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.

Sadly, the RA killed a fox on Saturday.
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The Three Counties Hunt Sabs were sabbing the Heythrop Hunt. When it was evident that the hunt was not acting within the law the police were called, and the Gloucestershire Police did attend. Shortly after that the hunt return to base. The difference of attitudes around Britain’s police forces is quite remarkable.
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Holcombe Hunt indulged in the common tactic of being aggressive to sabs and then calling the police to say they were being intimidated and bullied. When Lancashire Police turned up with three vehicles, they saw the video footage and told the hunt (and Mr Clarke junior) to behave.

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HUNT DISASTERS and SAB  ACTIVITY

The hunts are having increasing problems. People in the countryside are no longer afraid of them and are standing up to their bullying tactics, the police are no longer reliable, and don’t necessarily arrive and start making problems for the sabs. Many sab groups now have drones, which means their ability to monitor the location of the hunt is getting better and better. Quite a few hunts are struggling financially. It is probably true to say that the wind is no longer in their favour.
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East Devon Hunt, Axe Vale and the Cotley were upset when we noticed that the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for East Devon District Council forgot to exempt hounds. This means that the hounds cannot run about unleashed on roads. It also means that no one can be in charge of more than six dogs at a time and someone has to pick up all their faeces. Sabs are no on the look out for any of this behaviour and will report breaches to the council.

In Cornwall, another PSPO requires all dog owners to pick up their dog’s faeces – once again hounds are not exempt.
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The East Kent Hunt was sabbed and packed up around 11 am on Saturday. At about that time an angry landowner (who gave his name on video) (Colin Lee) turned up and complained to the hunt about hunt trespass. The world is changing. More and more people are prepared to stand up to the hunt.

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Many sab groups report the use of their drones in their hunt surveillance. Last weekend included:-

Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs versus Oakley Hunt
Surrey Hunt Sabs versus Ashford Valley
North London Hunt Sabs versus East Essex
South Coast Hunt Sabs versus East Kent
Manchester Hunt Sabs versus Warwickshire Hunt.

Drones are becoming more and more part of the sab toolkit and they are becoming expert at piloting them.
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Sheffield Hunt Sabs said thank you to those that contributed, in order that they could get their vehicle back from the police. (It was seized last week.) They used it to good effect in getting rid of some lampers as well as doing their badger work.
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Last week we reported on a new sab group called “Locals against the Blankley Hunt“. This week the HSA are reporting that there is yet another sab group formed, this one is called “East Surrey Hunt Sabs“. In Somerset, we have another new group, called Somerset Sabs.

We wish all the new groups success.

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A Scottish Hunt, (the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt) has acquired some adverse publicity in the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.  “A pack of 50 loose dogs caused havoc in the countryside – worrying sheep, spooking horses and scaring people. The baying hounds were seen stampeding through fields, roads and a quarry on the morning of Tuesday, October 18.” No sabs were present, and it was the local people that took umbrage and alerted the police.
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Cottesmore Hunt didn’t let the hit and run interrupt their hunting day. Later on in the day the sab report states: “as sabs closed in hunt terrier man Gary McCann assisted by other masked thugs assaulted sabs punching one in the face, smashing a camera and knocking female Sabs to the ground and strangling them.“
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Dunstan Harriers had a number of hounds killed by a train on an active railway line on Monday 31st. From previous knowledge the railway/transport police seem to be rather better at successful prosecutions than the national police forces, so we wait and see what becomes of this. This is the sixth railway trespass by hunts, that we know about, in the last three years.
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Campaigns

Richard Drax MP is coming under scrutiny after the conviction of Mark Pearson (hunting offences) from the South Dorset Hunt. Not only does he own the land on which the kill happened, he also rents their kennels out to them. Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) and AAF are asking Mr Drax to ban the hunt from his land. Please sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

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The convict Mark Pearson supplies milk to Waitrose. After the conviction, Waitrose should reconsider this arrangement, particularly given the artwork displayed in Watirose stores assuring shoppers of their compassion towards animals. Campaign details coming soon.
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Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets are approaching. AAF (together with other groups) is challenging 28 of these meets and would like to hear of more. Please click on this link to let us know if you are involved.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/the-simple-version/

Other News

Matt Hancock a Conservative MP has been suspended from his party. His mother is Shirley Carter, and the Wynnstay Hunt has used her home, The Greaves, near Wrexham, for their meets. Up to now the hunt has had a line through to Cabinet level which may in part account for their confidence in flouting the law.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 22nd October 2022

 

POLICE Response to illegal hunting

 

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs Facebook page requires a visit if you are to understand what is going on between them and the police. The key point here is this: how did the Warwickshire Hunt know anything about the arrests of the sabs last week, unless police told the hunt themselves? Read the details here:https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/posts/pfbid0XP2j6cSXeZWSf2CziaDQpHRMjJ3mspgQU6urMe6p6X9n7g9ByFp8NYoo5TexNamBl
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Bedfordshire Police have been out with a 4 x 4 keeping an eye on the Oakley Hunt. The police also found time to have an interesting discussion with the Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. This left the sab group with the impression that some interesting times might lie ahead for the hunts.
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Whilst the Nottingham Hunt Sabs with a member of the Lincoln Hunt Sabs were out sabbing the Blankley Hunt, the Lincolnshire Police arrested the driver and navigator from the Nottingham Hunt Sabs for an, as yet, unspecified offence. Their vehicle is now in a police pound.
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Derbyshire Police have seized a vehicle belonging to the Sheffield Hunt Sabs whilst they were out opposing the badger Cull.
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The Leicestershire Police want to liaise with sabs. It’s difficult to imagine any sab wanting to cooperate with police who have spent 18 years perfecting ways to harass or intimidate an organisation that wants the laws upheld. On the other hand, the police are part of this (no matter what we think) and if liaising with the police means the hunts are put under more pressure, then we might want to consider it.
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The (Isle of) Wight Hunt Sabs Facebook page recounts an interesting little story. One of the Isle of White Foxhound supporters became verbally aggressive and then called the police. The interaction had been recorded by the sabs and they showed the recording to the police which confirmed that the aggressive verbal behaviour had not been initiated by the sabs. The perpetrator of the abuse then appeared and when the police went to speak to him he would not calm down. So they arrested him and took him away in a police van. It’s great to hear a case of the police being called by the hunt and it backfiring in quite such a exemplary manner.
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The Western Hunt were very miffed at being sabbed by the West Cornwall Hunt Sabs and decided to take revenge by using their smart phone whilst driving, to film the sabs. They chose to do it in front of a police officer and we are now waiting to see if there is an outcome from this particular irresponsible activity, because the police officer did set off in pursuit. The West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are nothing if not persistent, and they will let us all know in due course how this develops.
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Last week we reported a window smashing event that (allegedly) the Norwich Constabulary had said they couldn’t do anything about. This week their inaction in not even investigating, Norwich Constabulary were rewarded for their indifference by being able to ring the sabs up to tell them that one of their vehicles had been extensively vandalised.

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Convictions and Prosecutions

Mark Pearson of the South Dorset Hunt has been found guilty of fox hunting. The penalty is £6,000 fine, £190 victim surcharge, and £620 costs.  His blatant lying in court is very disconcerting. He had killed one fox earlier in the day and the police deemed it an accident and allowed him to continue hunting. It was fortunate that the second kill was recorded by a monitors with cameras. The judge held that he should have had his hounds under control.
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A game keeper, (Matthew Stroud) has admitted illegally shooting and poisoning birds of prey. He received (from Norwich Magistrates’ Court) a 12 month community order, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and fined £692.
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Huntsman David Thomas from Dwydryd Hunt, has pleaded guilty to running a badger baiting ring at the Hunt kennels. Sentencing is due on 7th November. (He has had a previous prison sentence for badger baiting).
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Two men from the Wynnstay Hunt, Jamie Barnes, of Nottingham, and Ben Lloyd Davies from Welshpool have been found guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court of interfering with badger setts at a farm in Wrexham in August last year. The court heard that at the time, Barnes had been employed by the Wynnstay Hunt, and “had been asked to get a rogue (bagged) fox” ahead of the following day’s hunt. They were each fined £1000, £600 costs and £100 victim surcharge.
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Ms Sarah Moulds was visibly discombobulated last week when her trial date was set back until 22nd of August 2023. Ms Moulds was the lady who struck and kicked her horse at the Cottesmore Hunt.
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There are about another eleven hunts awaiting their turn in court.

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Hunt Activity

Local Hunt Sabs have now helped remove three hunts from our countryside. The latest demise (The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt) has allowed those same sabs to turn their attention to the Teme Valley Hunt, whose dogs rioted among a field of sheep last week.
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Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) sabbed the South Dorset Hunt, last Saturday. Their hit report says that a monitor from Wildlife Crime Action got himself/herself into the appropriate position and has some quite damning footage. We have to await more information, but that sounds encouraging.
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The Three Countries Hunt Sabs show photographs of what happens when you let dogs run across a cattle grid. The Heythrop Hunt seemed indifferent to their own utter stupidity.
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Last Wednesday, both the Cheshire Monitors and Cheshire Against Bloodsports reported violence from the Wynnstay Hunt, and that it was recorded on video.
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A landowner has written to the Hereford Times, and complained about a hunt trespassing on his land. The offending Hunt was The Radnor and West Herefordshire Hunt. It is yet another example of hound trespass, and of hunts being not as popular as they would like their followers to believe.
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Devon Hunt Sabs report that not only were their tyres slashed but the brake lines on their vehicle were cut.
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The dogs of the Thurlow Hunt attacked a muntjac deer, which subsequently had to be put down. It was recorded on video by the Cambridge Hunt Sabs. It is the subject of a police investigation.

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Other news

AAF’s Rural Survey returned the following results (among other figures). Only 7% of rural residents support fox hunting. 73% of rural residents know that hunts are still killing foxes and 90% of local residents don’t attend the Boxing Day Meet in their town.
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With Boxing Day approaching, more and more hunts are finding their public meets under threat. AAF and other local groups are challenging 25 (and more) hunt meets across the country. The challenges relate to public safety and legal permissions. Hunts always just show up on the day, illegally block roads, and generally do as they please. Everyone else has to obey the rules and there is no reason why the hunts are an exception. AAF wants more locals to help. Please contact info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org for further details.
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Having had one of their members assaulted by a masked-up member of the Essex Farmers Hunt, various sab groups returned the following week to mount a very successful sab on that hunt.
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Reminder to those that tramp across fields by night to consider their own safety. In Carmarthenshire on the 23rd  Sept a Farmer was killed by his own bull. And on 25th September, Lancashire police reported finding the body of a woman that appeared to be killed by cattle.
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The wife of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business and Energy Secretary who last week said the market turmoil was not due to the Mini budget, was out hunting with the Mendip Farmers Hunt last Saturday. The party whose corner stones are of financial and economic rectitude, and law and order, is not without its shortcomings!
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A puppy farmer from Essex has received a four-year jail sentence for her puppy farming activities.
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A new group has been formed. “Locals Against the Blankley Hunt”. It appears to me the hunts that are likely to suffer the most are those with a dedicated sab group. We wish the new group well.
Thank you for reading. 

 

Latest News 9th October 2022

 

Police response to illegal hunting

The Wynnstay Hunt was out cub hunting on Wednesday 21st September.
Cheshire Monitors say they don’t normally bother ringing the police, “…because they’ve shown no real interest in hunting in the past, but they’ve just admitted being poor with their responses in the past and that things have changed.” Indeed they have changed because the West Mercia police attended. Hunts must soon start asking themselves if the police attendance is simply a one-off, or if it represents a sea change.

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Last Boxing Day there was a violent kerfuffle in the village of Lacock hunt supporters from the Avon Vale Hunt attacked protesters. Earlier this year three hunt supporters pleaded guilty to public order offences. However, Wiltshire Police, (a force that is now in special measures) decided to prosecute two of the people that were attacked. Last week, District Judge Joanna Dickens dismissed the charges against the two defendants using the words “Ultimately the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thin…” The police submitted a short clip of video as evidence. The guys were trying to defend themselves.

If you cast your mind back you may remember one of the police officers present was a paid up member of the hunt.

Bringing the case against the two people who were trying to defend themselves, is an example of Wiltshire police trying to appear even-handed, whilst actually undermining trust in the police.
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Wiltshire Police, or possibly just their PCC Phillip Wilkinson, have released a promotional video to the BBC making some quite extravagant claims about what the Wiltshire Police are up to, to stop crime in the countryside. The PCC said that hare coursing events are being live streamed into China and people there are betting tens of thousands of dollars on which dog will take the hare. “…Gangs with dogs and four by fours chase hares across farmland and the criminals leaves thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake and will use intimidation and violence to set up the chase.“ He goes on, “The people involved are often also involved in running county lines and modern day slavery too, these are serious criminals and a very real threat.”

The PCC went on to say that they weren’t “worried about the hares… just the damage to property”. Once again, this PCC is dismissing the Hunting Act. We would like him to commit to enforcing ALL laws, including the HA, rather than picking and choosing according to his own personal opinion regarding illegal hunting.

I’m sure Wiltshire rural crime team will be an excellent job of apprehending these international criminals.

My advice to hare coursers in Wiltshire, wear a bright red jacket and if stopped by the police tell them that you are trail hunting.
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The Norwich Hunt Sabs comment favourably about the rural police team attending a meet of the West Norfolk Foxhounds. Although they did arrive late in the day they informed the sabs that they intended to put up a drone in order to monitor the hunt, and indeed they lived up to their promise. With the Norfolk police finally realising that the hunts are acting illegally, they may care to reconsider whether their conviction against sab a few years back for aggravated trespass was in fact a miscarriage of justice.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs had a window smashed on their car whilst kennel watching the West Norfolk Fox Hounds. Allegedly, Norfolk Constabulary said they were unable to do anything.

Hunt Activity

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs have video footage of a huntsman, Olivia Forsyth, from the Warwickshire Hunt galloping after a fox in the hope of turning it back into the maize for her Hounds. It’s pretty blatant cub hunting.
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West Kent Hunt Sabs have video footage of the East Kent with West Street Hunt acting violently towards a member of the public. They have identified the attacker, so perhaps in six months time we will see yet another court case.
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On the 16th of September, The Times carried an article concerning the hunting of a stag for three hours before it was shot dead. The article carried a photograph of the hunter at the moment of the discharge of the rifle aimed at the stag. Stag hunting is probably one of the most disgusting versions of hunting that there is in this country and it is good to see that a major and respected newspaper is becoming more willing to cover the issue.

I don’t suppose the nation’s opprobrium will cause the Quantock Hunt to bat an eyelid. Eventually, however, public opinion will matter enough to those that could put a stop to hunting to take action.
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Prosecutions

Three members of the Vale of White Horse Hunt have pleaded not guilty to hunting offences. Their trial date has been set for the 23rd of March 2023.

That makes the number of hunts awaiting court appearances 13. There could be more.

Other News

The struggles, pertinacity, and bravery of some people can be quite remarkable.

A lady reports that she followed the Ludlow Hunt on her land for two hours and then managed to open the box on the front of a quad. There was a fox there but, before she could reach for the Fox, the quad drove off. Subsequently she saw the fox being transferred to a hessian bag. The hessian sack was thrown into the back of a Land Rover, which was driven off. What was happening was being relayed by telephone to the police who responded quickly, but not quickly enough to catch the culprits.
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The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, has been out cub hunting. The hunt also meet and hunt on their estate, which contravenes the law forbidding land to be used for illegal hunting. I do wonder if he/she is keeping an eye on the mood of the authorities and the public.
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Nottingham Hunt Sabs showed a picture of a young dead badger. It had been shot and wounded, but it couldn’t quite make it back to its sett. It’s worth remembering that it was the cattle that gave the TB to the badgers and not vice versa.

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Avian bird flu has been found in pheasants.
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The Welsh government is setting out a bill that will make snare and glue traps illegal. It is part of a larger Welsh Agricultural Bill.
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Scotland is planning to get rid of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and replace it with legislation that will make the hunting with dogs more difficult to get away with.  Scottish ministers have reacted with, “… chasing and killing a mammal with a dog for sport or otherwise has no place in modern Scotland.” They are trying to close the loopholes which hunts use to circumvent the law. It appears to be a step in the right direction because the Scottish branch of the bloodsport industry is already against it.

Latest News 24th September 2022

Hunt changes

Bleane Beagles, a Kent based Hare Hunt has amalgamated with the Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex Beagles. It is another case of where there were once two hunts, now there is only one. The title of the hunt with which they have amalgamated suggests that, that Hunt, too, is an amalgamation of several.

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It is quite difficult to keep track of hunts when they close down or amalgamate.

We know that the New Forest Hounds are now a bloodhound pack and hope that they have an enjoyable season, with no controversy.
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Police, CPS and Prosecutions
The Nottingham Hunt Sabs tell us that when they were attending to the Quorn Hunt recently, the police showed up to do a bit of sabbing themselves – “Leicestershire police had two 4x4s from the rural crime team, driving across fields after this once mighty Hunt”. I don’t recall ever of hearing of the police showing any real intent of stopping illegal hunting. This could send shock waves through the Blood Sport industry.

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Last August a case against the Quorn Hunt was dropped after the intervention of the CPS.

The CPS said:

“Explaining the decision to drop the case, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.

“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swain giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”

It seems that, despite the outcome of that previous case, the police remain unconvinced that the Quorn Hunt is engaged in legal hunting.

After police deploying 4 x 4 in the field, I do wonder if the Quorn remain so confident.
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The North Wales Hunt Sabs may have reported a milestone event. The Flint and Denbigh followed a trail for the first time since the introduction of the Hunting Act 17 years ago. They did however have terriers and their owners on quads, which is suggestive that they wanted to leave their options open.

The Wales police had a presence too. Perhaps they want to clean up their lamentable record prior to the review of the police record on the policing of hunts in North Wales.
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Ben Porter, terrierman for the Hereford and Clifton Hunt was found guilty in Worcester Crown Court on 21/09/22. These were the charges:

Failure to stop after an accident
Failure to report an accident
Driving with undue care and attention, causing injury
No insurance
Incorrect licence (too many passengers on quad bike)
No Mot
Driving an unregistered quad bike on a public road

This happened during a foxhunt on 5^th March. Among other crimes, this man drove a quadbike at speed, hitting and injuring a sab.
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On September 21st in Yeovil Magistrates Court, a member of the Seavington Hunt pleaded guilty to offences under the Hunting Act. This was the person caught on video releasing a bagged fox. He was not, however, convicted for this appallingly cruel act, as the second charge  “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal” was withdrawn. We think this was some sort of a deal. Admitting to using a bagged fox would be disastrous for the hunts, so they settled for breach of the Hunting Act instead. The fine was £180.

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Hunt Activity

There are several reports from hunt sabs groups of very blatant cub hunting. In particular, the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV) were caught on video clearly hunting cubs. In that video, the huntsman (George Pearce) got very excited and galloped up and down a track tootling his horn wildly. I understand that this is not the behaviour of a “skilled huntsman”. Rather, it is the behaviour of a teenage boy watching a naughty video for the first time.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report that at least one (and possibly two) hounds were involved in an RTA on September 8^th. It’s likely that the hounds were from the Avon Vale pack. The hunt master is Stuart Radbourne, well-known to sabs. Poor dogs – they always get a raw deal.
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Given that the number of hunts with members awaiting court appearances sits at twelve, this seems rather rash.

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Other News

The Lancashire and Cumbria Hunt Sabs appear to have laid an ambush worthy of a Ukrainian General. They had fore knowledge that the Melbreak Hunt were intending to hunt direct from their kennels onto National Trust land , from first light. The Sabs got themselves into position, hidden, and with cameras and drone. Sure enough the Melbreak Hunt walked confidently onto National Trust land and cast their hounds. When ready the Sabs showed their hand, and the hunting day was ruined. The National Trust and the police were informed.
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The Blackmore Vale Magazine, a free magazine from North Dorset, published an article called “In defence of foxes”, written by Pip Donovan, from Action Against Foxhunting. It was a response to a  previous comment by a known local pro, Ruth Kimber, who had said, “foxes feast on domestic cats”. Publication of AAF’s article was a surprise, as the magazine is traditionally pro hunt. To read the article, click here:

https://blackmorevale.net/in-defence-of-foxes/?fbclid=IwAR1O3XypZ7z-FMp2SnAarbYP0Jd9kSFpjfaxureNSlzzfEIgdYUxNte9wWY
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While out doing their thing, members of a Cheshire sab group found a couple of puppies (under a year old and covered in faeces and urine burns) just behind a gate of a field at half 11 at night. With the help of a local, they rescued the puppies and off they went to a rescue, where they are thriving. Kind people doing kind things – it always helps to know they are out there.
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If you use ‘Radio Sounds’ to listen to previous radio broadcasts you may choose to listen to ‘Farming Today’ broadcast on 03/09/22. The first few minutes of the broadcast are taking up on the subject of BTB and Elaine from The Cheshire Badger Vaccination program has a short interview. Elaine is known to many of us and she was an excellent interviewee.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

Latest News 10th September 2022

Two more hunts have made it into the list of outstanding court cases. The Seavington Hunt are being charged with animal cruelty, as well as offences under the Hunting Act. The Daily Mail and ITV News showed the video footage of the bagged fox being released. The offence occurred on 5^th March 222.  A 30 year old man will appear in Yeovil Magistrates Court on 21^st September 2022.
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The Fitzwilliam Hunt has received a fox hunting related charge as well. They are due in court on the 22nd Sept for an incident on 5th March 2022.
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On Tuesday 30^th August, three members of the Dunston Harriers pleaded not guilty in Norwich Magistrates’ Court, to a hunting offence that occurred on 18/01/22, and the case was adjourned to a hearing on 28/11/22.
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It appears that twelve hunts are now awaiting court proceedings.
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AAF has launched its “Stop Boxing Day Meets Campaign”. To make things much easier for anyone who wants to start a local campaign, we have produced some straightforward training on our website. Please use the “Contact Form” on the webpage to let us know about your campaign. Here is a link:https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/how-to-stop-boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meets/

AAF is also launching a Children’s Poster Competition with prizes. All children (aged 12 years or under) are invited to enter. We want them to design a poster to show people what to do if they see a wild animal in trouble. Closing date is 31st October. Click here for details:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/poster-competition/

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The Badger Cull started on the 31st August catching most of us by surprise. It was a somewhat earlier start than we anticipated. Responses from saboteur groups around the country have been brilliant.
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There is another petition, this time to help a distressed family whose pet dog has been siezed by the police.

https://www.change.org/p/help-free-dennis-and-get-him-back-home/signatures/confirm?token=ddaf1f5a-c7bf-4f2e-a57a-1635214bdbf9
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Lush continues to support hunt saboteurs with stalls and fundraising in their stores. The most recent was in Liverpool last weekend.
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Hereford hunt sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt has lost the use of a small piece of common land, Bromyard Downs. Possibly not a huge issue but another minor irritant for those that are in favour of hunting.

The Hereford hunt sabs also report that the hounds from the above mentioned hunt appear to have been distributed amongst other hunts. (This is confirmed by the West Kent HUNT SABS who are reporting the arrival of hounds at the East Kent with West Street Hunt.) The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt which had been looking for a kennelman has now had the advert withdrawn. That same hunt might also be without a huntsman. Perhaps the loss of Bromyard Downs turns out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Thank you for reading.

 

Latest News 25th August 2022

The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Foxhunt are not on our list of hunts expecting court appearances in the next few months. However, they have made it into the news because of a successful prosecution of one of their terrier men. In October 2020 Sam Jamie Mepham took it upon himself to repeatedly drive his very large tractor into a sab vehicle.The incident was filmed and he pleaded guilty to an offence which resulted in a sentence of 12 months community service and a 12 month driving ban. He has previously been convicted of killing a wild animal with a crossbow and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

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John Bennett Wright was part of a group of hunt supporters that dragged a lone and disabled sab from his vehicle and assaulted him. Glasgow Hunt Sabs report on their Facebook page, “John Bennett Wright, a thug associated with Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire (L and R) Fox Hounds was today sentenced to a 12 month supervision order on top of being made to carry out 180 hours unpaid community work and paying £500 to his victim.

Ryan Sinclair another supporter incurred a £400 fine. Previous to the attack on the disabled sab, he had been responsible for slashing two tyres and he was also part of the group that attacked the disabled sab.
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Action Against Foxhunting has sent out nearly 10 000 cubbing leaflets in the last few weeks to members of the public who are kind enough to distribute them. However, Keep the Ban’s survey showed that only 1 in 10 people has heard of cub hunting. We need to change this. To order leaflets, please click on this link:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/aaf-leaflets/
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The United Pack were out cubbing at the weekend, but were successfully sabbed. About five different sab groups participated.

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A couple of days ago, the West Kent Hunt Sabs with other groups sent the East Kent with West Street Hunt back to barracks.
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Various sab groups combined to visit the Yorkshire Moors on the 12th and disrupt at least one shoot. Peak District Hunt Sabs show a video of the police arriving to remonstrate with them. The first words an unfortunate police officer uttered were   “…you have disrupted their illegal activity.” It probably wasn’t the best slip of the tongue ever but it did get an enthusiastic response from the assembled Sabs.
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As of yesterday evening, Staffordshire Hunt Sabs along with others had managed to complete three days on the moors already this season. It does not seem to be going that well for those that like to use wild creatures for target practice.
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The Three Counties Mink Hounds are based in Worcestershire. Last weekend they were rampaging on the river Tweed and were being hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch Hunt. Fortunately, the heavily outnumbered Scottish Border Hunt Sabs along with the Glasgow Hunt Sabs attended the meet and showed great determination in stopping their activities.

The hounds were a long way from their normal home territory.

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“Shut Down T and S Rabbits”, has its own Facebook page.

There is now a Camp Bunny as well as a Camp Beagle. They had received support from Sab groups.

It is good to report that we have just heard that the owner of the rabbit farm is withdrawing from rabbit breeding and homes are being sought for rescued rabbits.

The request on their Facebook page is, please, …don’t rock the boat with any independent action until they have been able to clarify the situation.

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West Midlands Hunt Sabs, are petitioning to stop the Warwickshire Hunt from using Council land. Please help support them.

https://chng.it/NWgpmSsd2s
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Natural Resources Wales have upheld their decision to ban trail hunting on their land. That keeps them in line with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority.

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The case against Robert Metcalfe of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt was dropped by the CPS due to lack of evidence.

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The huntsman of the Iveagh Hunt, a Northern Ireland hunt, Jack Harris, has been fined £500 after a pack of hounds killed a cat and bit a man during a fox hunt. He also had to pay £1200 court costs and £15 offender’s levy. Mr Harris did not appear in court as he was thought to have removed himself to England. [Fox hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland but, as in England, 80% or more of the population is against fox hunting. The opprobrium attached to Jack Harris and the Iveagh Hunt only serves to reinforce public opinion.]

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This petition is one that we would all support. It concerns animals in laboratories.

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/127745480/signed

Since it has already passed 70,000 signatories it does stand a good chance of making an impact.

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“Schadenfreude“. -Happiness in someone else’s misfortune.

The Eggesford Hunt have been successfully sabbed three times  in one week, by Devon County Hunt Sabs.

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The Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt have lost two Masters very recently and they have heard from several sources that the hunt is on its knees. So that is another two hunts that must be planning behind closed doors how to combat the continuing decline of their hunts.
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On the 12th of August whilst out in the peak district the Peak District Hunt Sabs picked up a fine for having a light out on their vehicle. When the police attend a hunt, it’s difficult to get the police to show any interest in traffic offences, be they committed by quad bike riders, or vehicles without MOTs. Having a go at the sab driver or his vehicle is the normal practice of the police when engaging in subtle harassment. We need to keep ourselves and our vehicles absolutely spot on.
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Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt will no longer be able to access Bromyard Downs thanks to a unanimous vote by the Commoners to ban hunting. Bromyard Downs consists of 242 acres of mainly open access common land east of Bromyard, as well as some farmland.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 10th August 2022

Vicky Dymond from the Western Hunt in Cornwall has been given a deferred caution for attacking a hunt saboteur with a whip at the end of last season. This is the third member of the same hunt to be investigated, and two of them have been convicted. Paul Martin was convicted earlier this year for violence and John Sampson for failing to control his hounds, leading to the death of Mini the Cat.

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Where once there was two now there is one… The latest amalgamation that we have learnt about appears to be the Weston and Banwell merging with West Somerset Vale Hunt. In fact this merger may have occurred two years ago, but went unreported at that time.
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At an EGM on Thurs 4/8/22 their Hunt committee voted to close down the TETCOTT Hunt (based about 40 miles west of Exeter), due to lack of support and poor finances. The SOUTH CORNWALL Hunt got a mention in that same EGM, and it also appears to be a hunt that has folded within the last two years.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report that the North Norfolk Harriers are disbanding. The hares will be safer from now on.
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Six members of Chard Town Council paid a visit to Cotley Hunt kennels. The hunt obviously kept the dark side hidden from the councillors and showed them only the parts they wanted them to see. Pip, from AAF, who had also asked to visit, was not included. The Mayor had said that he would not go unless Pip did, but he went anyway without Pip, showing no real backbone. Maybe the hunt should invite the councillors to watch them cubhunting? We have evidence of that from last year, of course. No trail hunting there! AAF will continue the campaign against the Cotley’s Boxing Day meet in Chard. Unlike the councillors, they are not fooled. One more thing – the Cotley have since boasted that FIFTY councillors went to the kennels. It was SIX.
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Norwich Pride normally hold their Pride Picnic in Stody Gardens. But now they’ve found out this is a shooting estate, they have decided to picnic elsewhere. Good for them. We need more bold decisions like this!
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Courts are capable of giving custodial sentences. On Monday, Rhys Davies from North Wales was jailed for eight months and banned from owning dogs for 15 years after using dogs to fight badgers and foxes. He was also fined £1800 at Forfar sheriff court in Scotland.
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Closer to home, Paul O’Shea, from the East Essex Hunt, who was videoed capturing a fox and then repeatedly spearing the live creature with a fork, received an 18 week suspended prison sentence. He also received 200 hours community service, £105 court costs, £128 victim surcharge and banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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Reading HS report that the CPS will not pursue an unlawful hunting case against the Avon Vale Hunt. This hunt was involved in a serious assault on a sab earlier this year.
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The glorious 12^th is approaching. Grouse shooting begins, particularly in Scotland. A tragedy for the environment and for birds.
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A female protester has been assaulted, you might even say attacked, by someone providing security for an outfit called T & S Rabbits. A mass protest for Sunday has been called for. ‘Shut Down T & S Rabbits” will provide more information.
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On Thursday 4th, Manchester HS announced that the CPS had dropped a case against the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt which was videoed hunting a fox on 23/11/21. Whilst disappointing, it does look as though it would have been difficult to get a conviction based on the video even although the fox is clearly observed.
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Keep the Ban, facebook page has an article “what is lamping and is it illegal?“. If you have the time it is a worthwhile read. Click here 
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Has anyone heard of hound trailing??

There is a website called (houndtrailing.org.uk) which explains the sport. The hounds follow a trail as individuals, and not as a pack, and this is a competition between hounds to determine which is the speediest and most successful trail follower. There is no hunting of wildlife, and the trail scent that they follow is a mix of paraffin and aniseed.
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Finally, 4,000 beagles are looking for new homes after one of the biggest ever dog rescue efforts in the US. The dogs were being bred and then sold on to laboratories for drug experiments.

The company has now been shut down because of animal rights violations. The condition of many of the dogs was quite appalling.(Report on BBC News site)

4,000 to re-home. Wow!

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Back in March 22, the East Cornwall Hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to join them at their meet at Jamaica Inn. This caused such consternation amongst locals and anti blood sports individuals, that the Inn decided not to host them again. The Inn has been sold to someone else, and the new owners have said they won’t be having them back. Wise decision! Who’d want to open that can of worms again?
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The South Downs Blood Hounds, a clean boot hunt, will talk to anyone about their legal hunting activities. The master, Jeremy Whaley (a former fox hunter) is very keen to show how open and genuinely transparent they are. Their meets are advertised online and everyone is welcome to go along and watch.
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Thank you for reading.

Wed 27th July 

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) (Caroline Henry), for Nottingham has been convicted of five speeding offences over a period of 12 weeks, been fined £2450 and been given a six month driving ban. She is married to MP Darren Henry,(Conservative).

Our interest in PCCs is due to the fact that some of them were selected by the pro fox hunting lobby group, Vote OK.
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The Northern Counties Mink Hunt took something of a drubbing on Saturday from various of our HS groups. Staffordshire HS particularly give a good write up. The owner of the land upon which they were hunting is a Charles Dent.
He was a director of Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, but by Sunday morning, he had resigned. The Staffordshire HS also suggest ways in which their readership could put pressure on the hunt, which included contacting The Yorkshire Dales River Trust who are responsible for managing the River Nidd which was the Hunt’s target river.
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Crapaud highlighted a post from the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team which generated a lot of comment from other HS groups. The eye catching caption to the picture was, “if you see a fox being hunted please call 999“. We do wonder if they will re-publish that post during the fox hunting season!
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Much to the chagrin of anglers and the NFU, beavers have now been accorded a protected species status which will take effect from the 1st of October.
“Keep the Ban“ had this to say:-
“The government confirmed on 22 July that it has passed an order to list beavers a native species across England. This means the law will provide beavers with a range of protections similar to badgers including penalties for killing, capturing or injuring them. Disturbing or damaging their homes is also illegal. The order achieves this by amending the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Beavers (England) Order will come into effect on 1 October.”
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Both the National Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority have indicated that they will not lift their ban on fox and trail hunting.
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Finally, Hankinson’s Appeal.
The simplistic view that the court found Hankinson not guilty of encouraging others to break the law is quite misleading. In paragraph 9 of the judgement the judges state, “having considered the words that were used we take the view that they were capable of encouraging the commission of illegal hunting“. The judgement appears to hang on the question, “Did the appellant intend to encourage the commission of an offence?” In this regard Hankinson claimed that the laying a trail or several trails was to confuse the Sabs. The judge also considered that Hankinson’s role within the Hunting Office was to ensure compliance with the law*, that he was a person of previously good character, and that the clearly stated purpose of the webinar was to inform and educate attendees as to the law and its compliance. The webinar was attended by in excess of 100 people which included police officers, lawyers and a member of the House of Lords. It would be unlikely that Hankinson would encourage such people to break the law. The judge must have not listened to the bit where one of the participants said “I hope no police are listening.”
For the above reasons the court did not believe that the criminal threshold of proof was reached, and that Hankinson’s intention was to encourage others to break the law.
The appeal against conviction was therefore allowed.
Perhaps the best bit of Mr Hankinson’s baloney is in the sentence, “when laying fake trails he said it was important to give the appearance of legitimacy to the saboteurs in order to confuse them as to which trail the hunt intended to follow“.
In fact, you can’t really blame the judge for not seeing how crass this statement was. Judges are probably not familiar with the fact that Sabs do not run around sniffing the ground looking for a trail, false or otherwise.
And how did Mr Hankinson do with encouraging compliance within the law? Here is a list of the pending court cases, with dates.

Jul/22. South Shropshire Hunt. Daniel Cherriman. Telford MC.
01/08/22. East Essex Hunt. Paul O’Shea. Sentencing
30/08/22. Dunston Harriers. 3 men. Norwich MC.
06/09/22. Wynnstay Hunt. Chris Woodward. Wrexham.
Sept/22. Beaufort Hunt. Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham.
17/10/22. South Dorset Hunt. Mark Pearson. Weymouth MC
15/11/22. Puckeridge Hunt. Arun Squire. Stevenage MC.
16/11/22 Fernie Hunt. William Hansen. Loughborough MC
17/11/22 Belvoir Hunt. John Holliday. Leicester MC.
13/03/23. Quorn Hunt. Chris Mardles. Nottingham CC.

Good job, Mr Hankinson.
————-

Friday 22nd July 2022

There is another court case looming. Three men from the Dunston Harriers have been charged with offences under the Hunting Act. The incident occurred on the 18th January 2022.
They should appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 30th August.
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The hunt known as the North Norfolk Harriers has folded. This seems to be largely due to the activities of the Norwich HS. (Harrier hunts can go after hare and fox but this hunt seemed mainly to concentrate on hare hunting.) The hunt will now host the Nar Valley Bloodhounds who hunt an human scent.
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There are likely to be some court attendances this week, but not necessarily very much in the way of progress.
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Until recently there was a Herefordshire Hunt and a Clifton-on-Teme Hunt. Now there is a Hereford and Clifton Hunt and where once there were two hunts, now there is just one.
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Most of us know that the Met Police Force has been put into special measures.
What may have slipped your attention is that the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Police have also been placed in special measures. They are accused of being unable to respond to the public, protect vulnerable people, and a failure of strategic planning.
The Force blames Government cuts. The local Sabs ponder if the money spent on attending on Hunt days is money well spent.
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Weymouth Animal Rights group released video footage taken on the 8th of March 2022, of Terrier men from the South Dorset Hunt, first digging out a fox alive, and then rescuing their terrier. The fox is put into a box on the quad, as is the terrier. The video had been passed to the Police. The Police said there was insufficient evidence.
Any ordinary person watching the video might feel otherwise.
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Members of Action Against Foxhunting attended Chard Town Council meeting on 11th July 2022. Chard is the venue for the Cotley Harriers Boxing Day meet. AAF is asking the Town Council to consider their relationship with the hunt, possibly asking them not to meet in the town on Boxing Day. The joint master of the Cotley Hunt was also there. She was very upset at the prospect of losing the Boxing Day Meet venue, and issued an invitation for the councillors to come and see the hunt. Pip (AAF) accepted the invitation. However, at this time, no confirmation has been received from the hunt. The date of the visit is likely to be 4th August.  Pip is ready with key questions and is willing to look at REAL evidence that the hunt is trail hunting. But the evidence has to be convincing, otherwise no one will believe them. The Cotley Hunt is very unpopular in Chard, as AAF’s recent survey shows.
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Mark Hankinson’s appeal against his conviction for inciting criminal activity was successful. On 20 July, in Southwark Crown Court, HHJ G Perrins, James Tyerman JP andAlan Elias JP concluded:

“we cannot be sure to the criminal standard that the appellant intended to encourage the commission of a criminal offence. For those reasons the appeal against conviction is allowed”.
In other words, they could not dismiss the defence. While we don’t think that this decision will make any difference to hunting (they continued to hunt anyway, despite the exposé), it is annoying that the guilty man walked free. Also, the CPS have a lot to answer – why only Hankinson in court? Why not the others too?
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The National Trust have stated that they won’t change their minds about banning “trail” hunting from NT land, despite Hankinson’s successful appeal. They remain banned. We are waiting for other landowners (those that also banned the hunt) to respond.
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Wiltshire Rural Crime team unexpectedly made reference to illegal foxhunting in this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=419356576901230&id=100064806723694
Whatever inspired that? Could it be an acknowledgement of their appalling treatment  of sabs at the end of last season? Shame they couldn’t have made this post when the hunts are actually hunting. It’s out of season, so no one will see the hunts until cub hunting starts in August.
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In May Foxy Blether wrote that a friend of Prince William, namely William Van Cutsem, had been subjected to a police raid on his 4,400 acre Hillborough estate near Sandringham. He had a goshawk caught in a ladder trap which was baited with live pigeons. He was outraged that the police and RSPB had help from the Hunt Investigation Team.
The name William Van Cutsem has reared its head again, and this time in a very damning report in the Guardian newspaper.
A Guardian investigation has revealed that dozens of UK laws stipulate that police are barred from entering any of the Queen’s private estates without her consent to investigate crimes ranging from wildlife offences to environmental pollution .
One of the main incidents reported, involved the shooting of two Raptors, in 2007, whilst Prince Harry and a friend (William van Cutsem) were out supposedly shooting duck. Police were barred entry to make a timely search for evidence.
The Guardian reveals that Sandringham has been the focus of successive police and regulatory investigations.
Most of what the Guardian reports on, occurred up to about 2016, but it would appear that Mr Van Cutsem still believes that he is above the law and should not be subject to investigations about his bad behaviour. I suppose the attitude is, what it is good for Prince Harry should be good for him.
So the Royal estates and the Royal children do not get disciplined for what, to most of us, are quite egregious offences and fail to see that they should have standards that recognise we have laws about pesticides and persecution for a reason.
Their neighbours have the same sense of entitlement.
They (the Royals) not do themselves any favours.
Here is the link to the Guardian article:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/15/sandringham-estate-police-barred-investigating-wildlife-crime

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Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century.
18 months ago a pair of Eurasian beavers were released at Hatchmere, near Delamere Forest, by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The beavers have successfully bred in Cheshire, for the first time in more than 400 years. Let’s hope the hunters manage to leave them alone.
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Thank you for reading.

Latest News March 4th 2023
5.23

Hunt Behaviour

On Saturday (18 Feb), North Staffordshire Hunt riders spilled unexpectedly onto a road a collision occurred between a car and a horse with rider. It would appear that the hunt removed themselves from the scene as quickly as possible leaving a rider lying in the road. The car was quite badly damaged, and the driver was shaken although otherwise “ok”.  We believe that both horse and rider were injured. The police and ambulance were quick to attend. (Staffordshire Hunt Sabs and Manchester Hunt Sabs covered the incident.) This incident is relevant for AAF’s Hunt Road Chaos campaign.
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Previous hunt accidents have also involved children.On 04/04/16, nine year old Bonnie Armitage was fatally injured when she was kicked by another horse whilst out with the Cotswold Hunt.
On 18/11/21, the two year old daughter of the master of the Bedale Hunt, Felicity Francis, died after falling from her pony whilst out with the hunt.
On 26/12/22, a 12 year old girl broke her leg whilst out with the Mendip Farmers Hunt for their Boxing Day meet at Priddy Green.
The hunts don’t seem to care about the risks with their children. Let’s hope the most recent accident puts children off hunting for ever.
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As you know, dogs from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a mine shaft on White Alice Farm, Cornwall, and had to be rescued. It turns out that the hunt did not have permission to be on the farm, so they were trespassing. Trespass is a clear indication of illegal foxhunting – hunts cannot expect us to believe they have laid a trail on someone else’s land.
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Fitzwilliam Hunt supporters attacked the vehicle belonging to Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. An attempt to slash the tyres was made, but the knife was dropped, and windscreen wipers were damaged. Being able to hear the attack, the 999 controller advised the driver to do what was necessary to get out of the situation. Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs Facebook page names those involved.

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You may recall that the Avon Vale Hunt was videoed releasing dug out foxes to their hounds resulting in them being suspended by the British Hound Sports Association (revamped version of the Hunting Office). Drone footage taken by sabs of the Avon Vale Kennels, reveals dead hounds on the concrete floor and in an uncovered skip. Biosecurity appears non-existent. Trading standards has been informed in the past but there has been no improvement. Bath Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the footage.
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Mike Smith, senior master at the Avon Vale has also been permanently excluded by the British Hound Sports Association. He did not feature in the video, but the BHSA has decided he has to go as he was presiding over the illegal and cruel behaviour of the hunt. Of course, we don’t trust the motives of the BHSA as we know that what they are trying to do is preserve their “sport” as opposed to cleaning it up. 

On Saturday 25th Feb, two dogs from the Cheshire Hunt were struck by cars. The police appeared to advise them that they had dogs dangerously out of control and sent them packing (possibly with a dispersal notice). As they hacked back to their meet they took the opportunity to hunt yet another fox which sabs saw to safety.
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On 28/02/23  Three Counties Hunt Sabs reported two slashed  tyres, whilst sabbing the Heythrop Hunt and North Cotswolds Hunt.
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On 28/02/23 sabs from  Manchester and Staffordshire experienced an attack on one of their numbers, perpetrated by the Huntsman of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt. The ‘provocation’ for the attack, if you can call it that, was they had obtained video footage of an injured hound with blood on it. Paul Larby’s assault on the sab and the breaking of a camera was recorded on several sab cameras and an investigation is thought to have been opened.  Staffordshire Police attended, but then the West Mercia Police also arrived.
*******

Police

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmer’s Hunt. This CPW is the direct result of a number of groups’ contributions: North London Hunt Sabs, Suffolk and East Essex Hunt Sabs, East Herts Sabs, Herts Wildlife Monitors, not to mention the members of the public who also provided the background evidence so the police could take action. 

East Essex Hunt supporters were ‘put in their place’ by a rebuke from the police who advised them not to block a public road.
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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs’ report on the Cottesmore Hunt from Saturday has some interesting remarks in it. Police witnessed a fox being chased and sabs “remain hopeful that Leicestershire Police in general will deal with this matter in a firmer manner. They (the hunt) are now so out of control that even when approached by police they just shrug and carry on regardless. They have shown recently they have no respect for animals, (wildlife or their own,) the safety of other people, and no respect for the police.”
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Cumbria Hunt Sabs thanked the police for attending the Blencathra Fox Hounds who met on Sunday the 19th.
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Wiltshire Police have claimed, in a convoluted sort of a way, that it is fine for their officers to be associated with an organisation known for criminal activity. They have more than one officer that goes out hunting and they do not see a conflict of interest, nor do they see that it contradicts the oath they took when they assumed office. These officers, and other senior officers, fail to understand that the public should expect all police officers to be “squeaky clean” at all times, including in their private lives. Cheryl Knight, an officer in the Rural Crime Team, is a hunter and connected with the criminal Avon Vale Hunt.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have organised a petition and a demo asking for this officer to be removed from the Rural Crime Team. The demonstration is planned for the 5th of March outside the Devizes Police Headquarters at 13.00. Here is the petition:

https://chng.it/XJJcWgjsbq
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Wiltshire Police continue to make things worse and worse. Their latest unnecessary FB post told us that they are seeking “independent advice” about how to deal with the proposed demo on 5th March, thereby implying that somehow “sabs” are the most violent sort of people. They appear to be fanning the flames. Is this deliberate? Would they like to see some unrest so that they can justify their biased attitude towards anti-hunting activists?
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Wiltshire Police deserve their own dedicated news bulletin, they feature so often in reports. BBC news reports that a former Police Inspector with the Wiltshire police (Ian Stevenson) has pleaded guilty to possessing extreme images involving bestiality. The force is in Special Measures.
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Cheshire Police seem to be one of the few bright spots in the policing of hunts. After a particularly bad hunting day (Ladies Day, Mon 13th) when the Cheshire Hounds seem to antagonise most of the countryside, by trespassing or badly frightening pregnant ewes, and horses, and cows, and treating farmers and landowners with contempt, Cheshire Police took some positive action. On Saturday (18th) they turned up with the intention of catching the hunts red-handed, or at least imposing some discipline upon them. They had officers with three cars, a drone, and most remarkably, two scrambling bikes which moved across the countryside with speed. The drone may even have recorded an active dig out. We are not privy to what the police gleaned from this operation, but it was undoubtedly a significant event.
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West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that the West Midlands Hunt abandoned their day of hunting after another quad bike was stopped, this time by an unmarked police car. (The police had  also stopped a quad bike on 13/02/23).
*******

Investigations and Prosecutions

The personal CCTV covering a Norfolk couple’s back garden revealed the West Norfolk Fox Hounds at large and out of control. They had killed a fox there and the actual kill is recorded on the video. Norfolk Police have arrested three men. Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report, “We believe the men in custody to be Huntsman Mikey Bell, Whipper-in Adam Egginton, and Hunt Master Andrew Kendall. All three men are also under investigation for assault and robbery on one of our female sabs back in October.”

We now know their bail conditions:-
Not to take part in trail hunting activities.
Not to contact or interfere with witnesses.
Not to be in a public place in charge of a dog not on a lead.
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Norfolk Police booked two hunt supporters as they left the Waveny Hunt. One female was booked because she was using her mobile phone whilst driving. At least the police are now more willing to act against hunts and their lawlessness.
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The Times carried an article on Friday 17/02/23 stating that the Wynnstay Hunt was under investigation for illegal blocking of a badger sett. The headline ran, “Hunt run by friend of King Charles…”. The Times have video of the actual interference with the badger sett and the persons involved.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Hunt Master, George, of the Mendip Farmers Hunt using a whip on a hound.  The RSPCA are now investigating.
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Protect the Wild reports that Ryan Thomas Spence who had been convicted of hare coursing, appealed his sentence, and by so doing had the sentence increased. The sixth month driving ban, which was issued alongside his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and £1000 fine, was increased to 2 years beginning from the date of his appeal.
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Perhaps one of the significant developments that has occurred concerning foxhunting is the fact that the above incident was reported on ITV News. Both the BBC and ITV are more willing to report on foxhunting issues, although the ITV appears to be far ahead of the BBC in its willingness.

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Charles Carter and Guy Loader from the Royal Artillery Hunt were issued with Official Warning in accordance with Salisbury Plain Military Byelaws 1981 Sect 4 para 1&2 for deer chase 22 October 2022. Next time expect prosecution, their solicitor being kept busy.

*******
Mass Sab

On 22/02/23 four of the West Country Hunts had a joint meeting which attracted a mass sab. At least 12 different sab groups were involved. Although this was a joint meet by four hunts, the field only amounted to 30 or so riders. Worse from the hunt’s point of view, there were locals objecting to them

Campaigns

A long-haul Boxing Day campaign by AAF Somerset culminated in a show-down at the full public meeting of Somerset County Council on 22 February. Alyson Rogers, Somerset Coordinator, joined Pip Donovan to speak at the meeting. Alyson’s powerful speech, in which she described how she was intimidated, imprisoned and threatened by followers of the Cotley Hunt during their Boxing Day Meet in Chard was picked up by the local press.
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It turns out that practically every county has a Public Space Protection Order making it an offence for an owner to fail to pick up dog faeces – and nearly every one of them has no exemption for hounds. AAF is expecting a large number of hunts to either be fined for offences, or have to get off their horses and (just like everyone else) deploy a poo bag. For more information, click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

 

Opinion

One of the more egregious statements contained in the review of North Wales policing came from one of their eight officers who gave evidence. He clearly showed his bias towards hunts with the statement that it was normally sabs that initiated violence. How would he know? The police are never there when violence kicks off, and if they were, it probably would not kick off in the first place. In making a statement like that, he chose to be loyal to the hunt and not to his own force, who are trying to improve their practices. That to one side, there is a revealing remark in the North Wales Hunt Sabs report on the Flint And Denbigh Hunt (18th Feb). “One supporter then walked over to the vehicle and struck the sab in the face through the open window. Fortunately for the attacker this is just the type of behaviour that the North Wales police tolerate… well from the hunt anyway“.  There has to be a significant change in attitude from the police in North Wales if they want to improve their relationship with animal welfare activists.
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It might be worth reminding ourselves how the Norfolk Police were just a year ago.

Norfolk/Suffolk HS report on the West Norfolk Fox Hounds for 07/02/22:

“… A further three 999 calls were made, each time the call handler told the sab that they were trying to get to them but each time no one came.“

Further down the same report, “A further 999 call was made but this time the Sab was treated like a nuisance, told that the police had already been and that this incident had been dealt with and then hung up on the desperate Sab as the hounds continued to chase a fox in front of her.“

“At approximately 4 pm the hunt headed in the direction of the meet just as a police car appeared at the meet also. Police appeared to have a nice friendly chat with the hunters who had by now enjoyed a full five hours of hunting and chasing Mammals with hounds, contrary to the hunting act.”

This following link to an article on the Avon Vale Hunt and Wiltshire Police is an eye opener.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/good-riddance-to-the-avon-vale-hunt/?fbclid=IwAR0sFPiSifTljPUrLmacnBf11faVV0AzF1rAJFq776Sw-t0mYi0vspqBZ_E&h=AT03AQjD6mNi4x2XfN9jfs_rsT1Lzj4HF_FP73v1vhtNlDhuFE8vyRpSEw6Pw8YadPrWy9AZLKznNIFZlNQRthvltx-ty1UBjsdQDduXbJKJqldh8BpBEEjL8_gClXpz5k0neJRYeL1MG6o&s=1

 

Latest News 18th Feb 2023
4.23

Investigations & prosecutions

On Wed 8^th Feb, ITV released footage of the Avon Vale Hunt (AVH) digging out two foxes and releasing them in front of hounds. (This is the same hunt that attacked a sab last March causing a bleed on the brain.) On Friday, three members of the hunt were arrested. Yesterday, Tuesday 14/02/23, a further two people (a man and a woman) both aged 25, were arrested and subsequently released pending further investigation.
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Myles O’Connor of the Scottish Buccleuch Hunt was due in court on 14/02/23 due to illegal hunting. We all hope the hunt will not survive the change in Scottish law.
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Cottesmore huntsman, Sam Jones, was videoed jumping a gateway and landing on a sab. He has now been arrested by Leicestershire Police. (The shocking video can be seen on the Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs Facebook page as well as the BBC news website.)
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Georgina Price of the Royal Artillery Hunt has accepted a police caution for having used her horse in an attempt to ride down two Sabs. This is the hunt that uses MOD land on Salisbury Plain and the one that Ben Wallace MP supports. The offence occurred on 05/11/22.  Surrey Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the video.
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A hunt supporter from the Beaufort Hunt was fined by Gloucester Police for “disorder” on 21st November 2022. He drove erratically and threatened a sab. Police concluded the investigation and informed sabs on 14th Feb 2023.
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Police

Warwickshire Police who issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Public Control Notice (PCN), pulled over another of the hunt’s quads again this week. The landowning rider of the quad had two terrier dogs with him.
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Chief Superintendent Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Force is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for hunting. In an article in The Times on 13th Feb, he publicly praised Wiltshire Hunt Sabs for the work they’ve been doing and for helping to deal with the Avon Vale Hunt and its dig out of foxes to be released to hounds. Chief Superintendent Longman wants: “police forces to work with the “volunteers” who monitor hunts so they [the volunteers] could learn how to provide the kind of evidence, such as unedited and time-stamped footage, that could lead to successful prosecutions.” Mr Longman also revealed there had been a sea change in the way that police understand hunting across England and Wales, (particularly as a result of the successful prosecution of Mark Hankinson). We also learned that ”Two police forces in England and Wales are now treating hunts operating in their areas as Organised Crime Groups.“  The change is due, in part to a number of high-ranking police officers having the courage to challenge the general police ethos – that hunts tell the truth and animal welfare volunteers are just trouble makers.
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Cast your mind back to Lacock on Boxing Day 2021. Laura Hughes, a serving Wiltshire Police Officer and member of the Avon Vale Hunt, was one of three officers who failed to keep the peace at the demonstration. Officer Hughes made things a great deal worse by yelling in the face of protesters and, later on, Wiltshire Police denied that her presence was inflammatory. Are Wiltshire Police planning on rethinking that conclusion, now we all know that AVH have been caught hunting illegally?
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Nottinghamshire Hunt Sabs have a special comment in their report from 02/02/23 on their sab of the Burton Hunt. “Special mention to the truly (expletive deleted) useless pair from Lincolnshire Police who timed their arrival perfectly to miss all the illegal hunting and still give sabs a hard time.” There is a lot of bitterness towards the police this year. Is this because some forces are changing their attitude towards illegal hunting and sab groups feel that all forces should be changing?
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Hunts are finding that not all police can be relied on to dance to the hunt’s tune. East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt called the police because they were being followed from the kennels and were claiming harassment. When the police arrived, the sabs pointed out that the brake lights on the hound trailer were not working and the numberplate on the trailer did not match the towing vehicle. The police ignored the harassment complaint, but advised the driver of the hound van that he was not legal to continue. A little later,  hounds from this hunt were seen chasing a fox across Barkway Golf Course. The huntsman was nowhere in sight, so sabs tried to round them up in case they were hit by a golf ball.  
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South Coast Hunt Sabs report that the Sussex Police delayed them while they did a vehicle check. Since sab vehicles are regularly targeted by the police the vehicles are always completely above board. If police were also seen to check hunt vehicles, this would not be such a bone of contention – but it is rare for any sab group to report this happening.
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After a generally held view that the Cheshire police were improving, last Saturday a kennel watcher was delayed by a Police Sergeant at the entrance to the Cheshire Forest Hunt kennels and when questioned about the timing of his tactics, he did not deny that it was intended to let the hunt out. As the public are becoming more aware of the criminality of hunts particularly in the last few weeks, it might be advisable for the police to make sure they have a consistent policy that is defendable. Appearing to help criminality is unacceptable.

*******

Hunt behaviour

The Hunting Office (HO) now renamed the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is thought to have been in possession of the AVH  footage for several weeks and it is reported that the event occurred on 20/12/22. The BHSA advised hunts not to take terriers out this weekend. This advice was widely ignored by hunts. The BHSA, in a desire to appear authoritative and in control dismissed the AVH from their organisation. They feigned shock at the appalling conduct of the hunt but have taken no action against Mr Ollie Finnegan who has very recently pleaded guilty to illegal foxhunting and is now with the Cheshire Hounds.
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Last week we heard about the demise of the Fife Fox Hounds. This week we can report that there is an advertisement inviting a professional or amateur to apply for the role of Huntsman to the Fife Bloodhounds. It looks as though Fife is to get a new bloodhound pack.
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Rumour Control has it that the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt will fold at the end of this season. It has yet to be confirmed.
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The Essex Farmers Hunt, tried to use speed to get away from the North London Sabs. The sabs described it saying,  “it was more like sabotaging a steeple chase!” This hunt was minus its terrier men – were they (unlike many other hunts) actually doing what their governing body advised and not engaging in terrier work?

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Bristol Hunt Sabs report that the Berkeley Hunt hunted through a deer park on Saturday 11^th Feb, where all dogs are supposed to be on leads.

At the end of the hunting day on 1st Feb, the Huntsman from the Weston and Banwell Hunt reversed his hound trailer into the sab vehicle damaging the bumper. He refused to provide insurance details and the dash cam footage has been forwarded to the police.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs had tyres slashed while out with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds on the 11/02/23. They had already seen death of a hunted fox. Levels of violence are expected to increase in Scotland for the last few weeks of this season, as the change in the law might well finish off some of the Scottish hunts. Since police often say they are not there to stop hunting but to make sure there is no breach of the peace, we hope the Scottish Police are sufficiently on the ball to recognise that violence perpetrated towards sabs is likely to be at an all-time high. It is thought their huntsman, Fraser Campbell is going down to Cheshire for next season.
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On 1st February, Three Counties Hunt Sabs report on the Worcestershire Hunt tells us that a sab ”was held up looking after a disabled gentleman at the church who said he had been assaulted by the terriermen, who had punched him to the floor and stolen his walking stick. Our sab called West Mercia Police and paramedics, and he was taken to hospital with a really swollen face to be checked over from potential fractures to his neck, eye socket, cheek, jaw, and probably other parts of his body.”
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On 7^th Feb, hounds from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a disused mine shaft near Porkellis, Cornwall, whilst the hunt was out hunting foxes in the area. It’s believed three hounds fell in, but sabs noted that the hunt (who continued their activities despite the accident) had far fewer hounds than usual, so they suspected the number of hounds in the mine was greater than they made out. The hounds were all rescued overnight.
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On 4th February, The Bicester Hunt invaded an alpaca farm and terrified pregnant females.  The owner was furious and expected an apology from the hunt. But as none was forthcoming, he phoned the hunt master and interrupted his dinner to ask what exactly he and his hounds were playing at trespassing on his land.

*******

Public Outrage

Is the hunts’ grip on the countryside is slipping? Last Monday (13th) the sabs in Cheshire encountered a farmer who was so angry with the Cheshire Hunt that he seized his shotgun and discharged two shots into the air to warn the hunt and hounds to get off his land. This was in addition to a number of furious sheep farmers, a horse-owner trying to ensure the pack didn’t encroach on their farm and another farmer who was quietly helpful. The Countryside Alliance claims to represent all rural people. However, it only represents those who are pro-foxhunting. It does not represent rural people who object to fox hunting, and these people are in the majority, as indicated by AAF’s  Rural Survey from 2022.
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Mike Hill

This week saw the 32nd anniversary of the death of Mike Hill. He died under the back wheels of a trailer driven by a hunt member who was careering wildly down the road trying to throw the sabs out of the trailer. The police weren’t interested and the driver is still engaged in hunting activities.
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Chief Vet is a hunter

Liz Gorse is the Chief Vet for the British Hounds Sports Association and she hunts with the Cheshire Forest. In 2020 her son was convicted and was “banned from caring, breeding and farming animals for the next 10 years“. 8 Cows, 3 calves and 2 sheep were found dead and decomposing on the farm. Liz Gorse the owner of the farm.

actually, People don’t hate foxes

Students from the Royal Agricultural University seriously misjudged the opinion of the majority when they thought it would be a good idea to strap a dead fox to the roof of their car for a charity rally. Like those who fox hunt, they believe that foxes deserve to be treated cruelly and justify it by calling them “pests”. However, the delusional students failed to anticipate the public backlash. They are now waiting for disciplinary action by the University.   

Campaigns

AAF have launched two new “Catch them at it and Report it” campaigns – Hound Faeces and Road Chaos. In public areas, hunts should pick up after their hounds, but generally, they don’t bother. This includes grass verges on country lanes. If they do not – and they are reported – they should be fined.

Also, hunts cannot take risks with their own safety or the safety of others on  roads.  Again, report them. All information you need can be found on these links:

Hunt Road Chaos Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-reporting-it-to-the-health-and-safety-executive/

Hound Faeces Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

Landowners

Do you know of a landowner who allows hunting on their land? If the prosecution of the land-owning Drewetts is successful, all landowners should think twice before allowing the hunt on their land. Download this letter, print it and send it to the landowners.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Letter-to-Landowner-Oct-22.pdf

 

 

Latest News 4th Feb 2023
3.23

BAD NEWS FOR HUNTS

The Airedale Beagles pack has folded. They had been hunting hares since 1891 and this was one of the oldest beagle packs in the country.
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Fife Fox Hounds Hunt has come to an end. This was a 200 year old hunt, finished (we believe) because of the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
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On 24/01/23, the Scottish Government voted to pass the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It doesn’t look water tight, but nonetheless it is seen as a big improvement. Trail hunting is included in the ban. Banning trail hunting in Scotland is a pre-emptive move. The new bill has removed the Scottish hunts’ means of getting around the existing Scottish legislation, which was different from the English legislation.  The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 allows hunts to use a whole pack of dogs to “flush a fox to guns”, meaning the hunts could effectively hunt as they always had. On the other hand, English law limits the number of dogs used to “flush a fox” to two, meaning the hunts had to find another “legal” way of continuing to hunt with a full pack – hence the invention of “trail hunting” which (they claimed) only mimicked real hunting. Fully aware that trail hunting is a smokescreen for fox hunting, the Scottish Government has wisely prevented it from starting.

*******

INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Further details have emerged about the police raid on 18/01/23. Six men were  arrested and 22 dogs seized in a police operation involving Kent, Norfolk, Sussex, and Thames Valley police, and the RSPCA.  The Guardian reports, “it is understood that they were suspected of acting as terrier men, preventing foxes going to ground so the mammals can be caught by dogs.” Evidence from their phones could be crucial.
_______
Mark Harris, terrier man for the Spooners and West Dartford Hunt, has been found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992). He caused a terrier to enter a protected sett. He said he was instructed to flush and kill the fox by the huntsman Guy Morlock. Mr Harris was ordered to pay a fine of £1000, a victim surcharge of £100 and Crown costs of £900.
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A few weeks ago, the CPS dropped a case against a hunt supporter for attacking a sab, causing a brain bleed. The victim has asked the CPS for a review and this has been accepted.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

North London Hunt Sabs Facebook page show a very brief video of the quad bike assault on their sab. The hunt involved is the East Essex Hunt. The date of the incident was 14/01/23. Police are taking the incident very seriously and are investigating.
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On Sunday 29^th January, Weymouth Animal Rights and AAF met in Milborne Saint Andrew to protest outside the South Dorset Hunt’s Point to Point event. After the hound display, protesters noticed that one dog had been left behind and was running about alone. Hunt staff took no action. The frightened dog struggled through a hedge and out into the road, running in front of cars, queueing to enter the event. While none of those attending the event showed any concern, protesters immediately went to help the dog. Eventually, a member of the hunt came out and approached the dog, who cowered when he grabbed her.
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The Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt turned up at Bellever Forestry Commission car park, probably hoping to trespass on FC land, from which they are banned. However, they found sabs (Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs) already there, so they moved on.

*******

POLICE

North Wales Police accepted assurances from the Flint and Denbigh that they were not going out hunting on 21/01/23, but once they thought the coast was clear the F and D went out hunting in the afternoon. The sabs were on to it very quickly, not so the police.
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On Saturday (28/01/23) the Wynnstay pursued a fox. The Cheshire Monitors hit report states, “… but we were very grateful to locals for joining in to stop them and the police officers standing guard over a fox they’d seen running for its life!”
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Cheshire monitors report for the Wynnstay Hunt on the 29th of January includes the paragraph, “the police that attended all day were good this week and we were really pleased with their input. It’s a shame it can’t always be like that.“
*******

sabs

On Saturday 21/01/23 there was a “mass sab” of the South Dorset Hunt, with perhaps as many as 18 different  groups being involved. The mass sab was to indicate support for the local groups who had had a lone monitor beaten with metal bar.  During the day, another sab was run down by a terrier man on a quad. Sabs have also endured violence and intimidation and had 17-19 tyres slashed in one short period. Dorset Police have a sergeant that goes fox hunting.
_______
The Severn Vale Beagles was successfully sabbed by the Severn Vale Hunt Sabs. All the beagle packs are vulnerable to sabbing, and this one, too, is feeling pressure. Beagle packs hunt hares and the hunt are on foot.
_______

The independent review of the North Wales Constabulary policing of  hunts was published on 12/01/23. The Countryside Alliance then published a number of articles focusing on  parts of the report that appeared to discredit saboteurs. However, Protect the Wild has also reviewed the report and their conclusion is the police should just do their job properly.
*******

CAMPAIGNS

AAF (Action Against Foxhunting) have examined 2022 Boxing Day and New Year’s Day town meets and catalogued the results. Given the number of hunts involved this was a mammoth task. They also offer to assist anyone who wants to see their local hunt ousted from their town. They have developed expertise which they are happy to share. The link lets you view their opus, and is an easy read summary.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meet-2022-roundup/
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AAF is also stepping up their campaign to challenge the hunts abuse of roads, where they are always causing obstructions and chaos. Further advice can be found here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-and-healthsafety/

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

To see all previous issues, click here: https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/headlines/

 

Latest news 20th January 23

2/23

Prosecutions

Gamekeeper Paul Scott Allen admitted guilt in Weymouth Magistrates Court. Sentencing is due on 16/02/23. The offences occurred over a period of time. Allen pleaded guilty to seven charges – two of possession of six dead buzzards, and the remains of three more; three charges of keeping banned pesticides and two charges of failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and firearms certificates. 
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On 06/01/23, the trial of Shaun Parish, 33, and Jacob Whalley, 30, of Milton Park in Peterborough was postponed as a witness was unable to attend. It will take place on May 11 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. The men, from the Fitzwilliam Hunt are charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs on March 5^th last year.
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Hartley Crouch, Whipper-in for the Pytchley Hunt, has been successfully prosecuted by Northamptonshire Police. He stole a pet sheep, killed it, skinned it, and fed it to the hounds. The charge was theft. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £775 in costs £150 in compensation and a surcharge of £22.
Late news: Mr Crouch was sacked by the Pytchley and then was going to go to the Beauvoir Hunt. They dropped him, but he is now a whipper-in with the Cottesmore Hunt.
_______

Andrew Pope, a long time follower of the Weston & Banwell Hunt, admitted guilt to the police and was given a conditional caution. On 21 Dec 21, he tailgated a sab vehicle, and used a thick heavy stick to hit the vehicle windows. The windows stayed intact, but Pope forced his way into the back of the vehicle and started to attack the sabs with the stick. One sab from WAR sustained heavy bruising to their knee and side of their body. This aggressive outburst was witnessed by Pope’s young child. Pope agreed to write a letter of apology to the injured sab. If he repeats this behaviour, he will go straight to court.

******

Corruption

After Ben Wallace MP and Minister of Defence, decided to terminate the arrangement allowing the League Against Cruel Sports to monitor the Royal Artillery Hunt on Salisbury Plain, the Quorn took it upon themselves to hunt on a military base. The land in question is at the Defence Animal Training Centre in Melton Mowbray. Objections to the hunts’ use of MOD land are ongoing, but those who a manage the land (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) refuse to make any changes.

********

Police

On 18/01/23, together with the RSPCA, police raided the home of a terrier man from the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The hunt killed a fox on Saturday 14^th Jan, and assaulted sabs.
_______

Devon County Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Eggesford Hunt making a kill on New Year’s Day. Devonshire police did attend the meet, but they didn’t stay to watch any of the actual hunting. In contrast, on 04/01/23 Cheshire police officers left their cars and proceeded on foot across fields in pursuit of the Cheshire Hounds.
_______

In September last year, Leicestershire Police had a zoom meeting where various anti hunt persons  (including AAF) were invited to attend. The two officers representing Leicestershire Police were genuine and they want to work more closely with anti-hunting groups. However, Northants Hunt Sabs report that on 7^th January while sabbing the Cottesmore Hunt, the sab vehicle was delayed by an Leicestershire police officer who insisted on checking Insurance validation and driver details.

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On 08/01/23, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report for that Wiltshire Police were “hobnobbing” with a shooting party  but performed no vehicle checks. However the numberplate WV** AFY was out with the shoot and its MOT expired 22/12/22. 
_______

On 10/01/23, Will Goffe from the Warwickshire Hunt, (the hunt with the Community Protection Notice), spent 30 minutes hiding in a quarry with the hounds whilst Warwickshire Police were in the vicinity.
_______

On 07/01/23, Sheffield Hunt Sabs posted a video of sabs confronting the man with a knife who had just slashed their tyres. The attacker was arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, something that probably would not have occurred without the temerity and presence of mind of the Sheffield Sabs.
_______

An independent review of the policing of hunts in North Wales has been published. It was commissioned by the PCC for North Wales Police and it is probably most intended for his reading although no doubt others will be pouring over it.
_______

On 30/09/22, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull’s car was surrounded by aggressive men and one man attempted to gain entry. He damaged the vehicle while making threats of violence. The group provided statements and video evidence to the police. Part of the police response reads, “after reviewing all the evidence my sergeant has made the decision to take no further action regarding this incident due to evidential reasons.” Previously, Wiltshire Police refused to take action against the hunt member who threw a sab into a ditch resulting in a bleed on the brain.
*******

Hunt Behaviour and violence

On 14/01/23, West Kent Hunt Hunt Sabs filmed Matthew Vater, the huntsman with the East Kent Hunt with West Street, repeatedly riding at a sab. He later knocked one female sab into the air with his horse. They also killed a fox in front of sabs.
_______

On 07/02/1/23 female members of Cumbria Hunt Sabs were threatened and then attacked by members of North Cumberland Foxhounds.
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On 14/01/23, Cheshire Hounds held a three way joint meet with the Tynedale Hunt and the North Staffordshire Hunt. A hunt member threatened to break both the arms of a sab and also those of an independent monitor. The threat is recorded and the police have the information.
______

The Wynnstay Hunt made it into the national press with the Mirror showing the video clip of the huntsman charging his horse at the Cheshire monitor’s runner and half screaming “I’ll kill you.” The incident happened on 7^th January.

_______

On 07/01/23, Cheshire Against Bloodsports report that Cheshire Hounds appeared to cause the death of a pregnant ewe. They are very complementary about the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, who actually took details of the huntsman from the huntsman.
_______

On 14/01/23, another sheep died after the Grafton Hunt went through a field full of pregnant ewes. The farmer said “The sheep were now mixed with a neighbour’s flock and one was dead in the river”. Police are investigating.
_______

On 14/01/23,, the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hunted on MOD land.  A local resident reported the killing of a fox but the hunt have denied it.

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On 10/01/23, Sheffield Sabs were again attacked, and the video evidence is extensive. The attacker continued whilst being filmed by various cameras. At that same meet of the Grove and Rufford, hounds trespassed and ran along an active railway line not long before a train passed. Again there is video evidence of the trespass.

_______

On 14/01/23, West Sussex Hunt Sabs had a rough time. The vehicle was blocked by a dairy stockman and then driven into from the side by a woman from the farm, using a low loader – a bailer with forks attached. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. The report does not say how well covered this incident is with video but the police appear to have been informed.

_______

The South Dorset Hunt are suspected of a number of violent and unpleasant incidents. On 14/01/23, a member of Weymouth Animal Rights found two dead foxes in her back garden. Both animals had met violent deaths. On the same day, a monitor watching the South Dorset Hunt was hit in the back by a projectile – possibly a ball bearing fired from a catapult. The monitor was seriously bruised. Police were called and spoke to convicted hunt master, Mark Pearson. A police firearms team arrived. WAR report that “unbelievably they (the police) did not search the suspects or even pull them over”.
Additionally, North Dorset Hunt Sabs had another vehicle tyre incident. The report reads “after the hunt had finished a sab was driven to collect her car and on arrival was informed by a resident that a masked, hooded quad person had started letting down the tyres. He was prevented from completing the task when a police officer appeared who was about to leave for duty.
A couple of weeks ago, the South Dorset Hunt were suspected of slashing of 17-19 tyres belonging to animal welfare persons. They are also suspected of assaulting a monitor with a metal bar.
_______

On 14/01/23, a Land Rover from the Worcester Hunt drove at foot sabs from the Herefordshire Hunt Sabs. The sab vehicle was also attacked.
_______

On 14/01/23, The Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed terrier men netting the exit of an artificial earth and preparing to put a terrier down another entrance. The sab group was  pleased with a police response, saying: “Gloucestershire Police attended promptly, efficiently, and the matter is being dealt with.”
_______

On 14/01/23, Mendip Farmers Hunt hunted through Chew Valley Animal Park. The owner described how hounds were in cry and jumping into animal pens with terrified goats and camels and traumatising other resident animals. There is CCTV evidence of the trespass. The Mendip Farmers Hunt continued, trespassing on more private land upsetting the landowners horses.

*******

Other News

On 14/01/23, West Cornwall Hunt Sabs found something else to do after turning up at the Western Hunt meet and finding nothing going on. They tell us: “We spotted this little dude (a bird) sat in the middle of the road about to get squished! He was all hunched and soaked in a puddle. Never flinched when we scooped him up. We have a fantastic bird rehabber on the team. Luckily, it looks like he had just got a bit cold and wet. With a check over and dried off under a heat lamp he was fit to fly free again.”

 

Check that you’ve signed this petition:
https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Latest News  7 January 2023

1/23

Coming Soon

“Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Meets” – Special edition of Latest News  coming soon. If you went to a meet, please tell AAF about it here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/data-collection-boxing-day-2022-and-new-years-day-meets-2023/

 

POLICE

The Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. In May, they issued the Hunt with a warning notice about the antisocial use of the country road network but the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN. The Police statement reads:- “The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point.Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“

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This is a sentence from the East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs: –

“Every week they kill foxes, block us in, break the law, but when we call the police they very rarely attend, when the hunts call them full of lies and fabricated stories they turn up then harass.”

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The West Kent Hunt Sabs also understand about police harassment. On 17th December, police arrested a sab for standing outside the kennels and his offence was… harassment!

(The video of the incident leading to the arrest shows that the sab was arguing with the police, and this was too much for them to bear and so he was arrested for whatever came into their mind. In this case harassment.) Kent Police are being advised by an ex huntsman whose name is Mike Bax. There is now a petition asking for the removal of Mike Bax as an advisor to the Kent police. Additionally, the Kent Police Officer, Bethan Dumbarton-Scott, is in a relationship with the East Kent huntsman Matthew Vater.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-mike-bax-as-key-advisor-to-kent-police-on-rural-crime

Please sign it.

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Cast your mind back to 2016, and you might remember PC Claire Ford said she was off-duty but nonetheless took it upon herself to assist the Cheshire Hounds by removing sabs from the area they were hunting. She was driving around on a quad at the time.The police review said that she was preventing a breach of the peace. The police investigation whitewashed her offences but she was moved to routine policing in Congleton. To the best of our knowledge she did not go out again, supporting the hunt. PC Claire Ford (now, Claire Roberts) has now, not only been dismissed from the Cheshire Police Force but has incurred a suspended prison sentence (8 months suspended for 18 months), 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. She imparted information gleaned through the police to a private individual. The conduct was detected by Staffordshire Police, and Cheshire police did an audit of her use of the police computers. There are elements of the police force that would like to work closer with sabs, but the sabs will not work with them, they are not trusted. This case highlights how untrustworthy some police can be. You wouldn’t even need access to the police computers if you are a hunt sympathiser and in the police force. You could form your own WhatsApp group (like the Charing Cross police) and information can flow freely but undetected. And yet police forces throughout the country continue to accept police officers within their ranks who are clearly involved with hunts.

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Wiltshire Police learned from last year’s riot at the Avon Vale Hunt’s Boxing Day Meet in Lacock. Last year, an officer who rides with the hunt attended the meet, violence erupted and several hunt supporters were prosecuted and convicted. This year, officers were asked to step out if they had any association with a hunt. Police also booked some hunt supporters for illegal parking. If police really do want to improve relations with hunt sabs and monitors, they should follow Wiltshire’s lead, and at the very least, ask officers if they are associated with the hunt in any way before allowing them to attend calls relating to hunting activity.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 22/12/22 the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt were hosted at the Horsehill Farm Livery, the running of which is assisted by a serving Dorset police officer. The parents of the officer go out with the hunt. On 22 November, The BSV were videoed encouraging hounds to chase a fox out of its hiding place in a hollow tree. The video very clearly shows illegal hunting. However, to date, no Dorset officer has been assigned this case to investigate. We don’t believe this is a coincidence.

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North London Hunt Sabs report that last February the Puckeridge Hunt were able to co-opt the police force to the hunt’s benefit. Since then, the sabs have engaged with the Hertfordshire Police who have had some relevant training arranged and provided by the League Against Cruel Sports. This year the Puckeridge Hunt was not able to co-opt the police as their private security.
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On 29/12/22 supporters from The South Dorset Hunt got a bit uppity and drove dangerously at the sab Landy. The police were called. Two cars turned up within minutes. Dash cam footage is being forwarded to the police. The police, having been requested, remained for the rest of the day.
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The Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs page report for the 31/12/22 meet states,  “the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt were yesterday challenged by police officers from Essex Police Rural Engagement  Team. Weapons and phones were seized after a member of the public… was assaulted…by” members of the hunt.  If the Essex Police follow through with their investigations they will be held in high regard by much of the animal welfare community.

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Hunt Behaviour and Violence

Tue 19/12/22 –  Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) report that two supporters of the South Dorset Hunt attacked a hunt monitor with a metal bar. He had serious head injuries as well as injuries to his hands and body and he was robbed of his camera. Their Huntsman, Mark Pearson was found guilty of fox hunting on 19/10/22. The victim – a well-known, longstanding, deeply-respected monitor, received immense support from the rest of the Dorset anti-blood sports community, not to mention four very nice bottles of red wine from AAF.  Will Dorset Police take action?  (Last March the Wiltshire police had video evidence relating to an attack on a sab, which left him in a ditch with a bleed on the brain. After a delay of over six months the Wiltshire police then dropped the case.)-On Boxing Day, supporters from the same hunt (South Dorset) slashed 19 tyres on WAR’s vehicles. The hunt PR system got into action as by the following morning (27th Dec) the front page of the Telegraph had an anodyne 2 column inches (and further coverage about hunts on Page 6) asking members not to engage with sabs. The DT deprived their readership of information indicating how extensive and pre planned this vandalism was. Of the 19 tyres slashed, four occurred as the hunt set out from the meet, with non-hunt participants having their car surrounded and all four tyres slashed. This triggered a response from the Police Armed Response Unit as it involved knife crime. (Don’t all tyre slashing events involve knife crime)? Weymouth Animal Rights and North Dorset Hunt Sabs both got their vehicles retyred in record time and were on the scene for sabbing duties by 12 noon, much to the hunt’s chagrin, as they believed they had neutralised the sabs for their day’s hunt.

(Weymouth Animal Rights Facebook page gives a fuller account.)
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Two more tyres slashed courtesy of Grove and Rufford, and one courtesy of the Isle of Wight Hunt.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 21/12/22 they were escorting the Western and Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt back to their kennels when there was an attack on the sab vehicle. The assailant had swerved in front of them forcing them to stop, grabbed a hefty walking stick and then proceeded to attack the vehicle, open the back door and apparently attack the sabs as well. They have clear video footage of the incident which is being submitted to the police, who incidentally were in attendance very quickly.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs report the Boxing Day Meet of the Eggesford Hunt resulted in two violent events. The Huntsman Jason Marles struck a sab on the head with the handle of his riding crop. A supporter rammed a sab with a quad causing a leg injury.
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Sabs from various groups sabbed the Wynnstay and Cheshire Hounds this week. A terrier quad tried to reverse into a sab and then drove forward deliberately striking a sab on the arm. Police were called and did respond.
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The East Yorkshire Coast Sabs caught on camera a head-butting assault on one of their sabs. They will pass it to the police but are not confident of any action or reaction from them.
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The Warwickshire Hunt, the hunt with the Public Community Notice (CPN) was out on the 28th. Their conduct was clearly modified by the presence of Warwickshire Rural Police and they had to abandon the chase of a fox. The hunt still managed to get themselves filmed causing traffic disruption on the A425, which is very unwise. It would appear that 2 police forces showed a presence as the Northants police also turned up, but their objective seemed to be to have been to put pressure on the sabs, which failed miserably, and might even cause a certain amount of conflict between forces. Let’s hope so. On the 29th the hunt was out again and Will Goffe was asked if he had notified the police specifically of times they were crossing roads (in compliance with the CPN)… because the sabs had (noted it). 

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Mass Sabbing

On 2 Jan, Surrey Hunt sabs were joined by a number of other groups – South Coast, Brighton, Reading, Kingston, some Irish sabs from Connacht & Leinster and Surrey Hunt Monitors – to spoil the Surrey Union’s day. The hunt met next to Hankley Common – MOD land. They packed up by 2pm. Some locals (with children) thanked the sabs for being there and we have it on good authority that the children firmly believe that sabs are heroes (we agree).
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Corruption

Ben Wallace MP, ex Sandhurst, and Minister for Defence has suspended a memorandum of understanding with the League against Cruel Sports (LACS) whereby the MOD would inform LACS of where the hunt would take place so they could monitor the hunt for legal activity. The outcome of that is, of course, to help a hunt, particularly the Royal Artillery Hunt. It also openly indicates that the party of Law and Order thinks that Law and Order should not inhibit the hunt from their illegal activity. The HSA has released a censored email showing the frustration of MOD staff in dealing with the RA Hunt stating that any other organisation behaving the way the hunt behaved, would be banned from MOD land ( notably Salisbury Plain). The email also showed that the hunt were booking to hunt on one part of the Plain, while actually intending to hunt in a different area. The arrangement with LACS was mentioned and hey presto, it was AFTER this that Mr Wallace decided to end it, citing bad behaviour by LACS!

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Investigations, prosecutions and convictions

Thu 22/12/22 West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that Gavin Field, a core member of the Warwickshire Hunt ,accepted a caution under section 4A of the Public Order Act for causing fear, alarm or distress after he was filmed stealing the keys from a sab vehicle and running off with them. He then threw them over the hedge shouting “here’s your f***g keys“.
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The Essex and Suffolk Hunt were caught red-handed digging out a fox. On Boxing Day, while their Master was making the oddest of speeches at their meet, Suffolk Against Foxhunting slipped away and found terrier men  loitering around a badger set, and while they were asking them what they thought they were playing at, a beautiful fox popped out of the hole. Police are investigating.

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Struggling Hunts

East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt will amalgamate with the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt next year.

The Cheshire Monitors’ take on the Wynnstay Hunt makes interesting reading. They really do feel the hunt is under pressure in every way… a huntsman having to lie under oath over and over again, locals standing up against the hunt and feeding information back to the monitors, money troubles, and strife within their own camp.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any inaccuracies, or would like to give feedback, please either leave a comment or email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

 

Latest News 17 December 2022

Hunt Behaviour

Many hunts decided not to go out this week because of the very cold weather. This gave sabs, monitors and wildlife a bit of a break. The Wynnstay ventured out on foot but when the huntsman realised he had sabs present, he returned to base.
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The Warwickshire Hunt Sabs provided film footage taken on the 22nd October of the Warwickshire Hunt verbally abusing a sab and using the term “Fatty” 28 times. The Independent newspaper covered the story and shows the footage on its 30/11/22 online edition. Now that’s it is in the public domain, I doubt if the huntsman feels quite as smug as he felt when he was taunting the sab.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs have a report of an ordeal they had with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox Hounds, who were trying to kill a fox that had gone to ground. The violence against the one or two female sabs is appalling. It will be interesting to see if the police take any action on this because it is one of the worst examples of hunt violence that I have come across.
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The Wynnstay are advertising for a new huntsman. Chris Woodward (the defendant in the case which was dropped – see below) is leaving. North Wales Hunt Sabs also report that some of the masters of that hunt are leaving and maybe the whipper-in too. There may be some dissent within their ranks.
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The day after Mr Finnegan of the Cheshire Hounds was convicted of foxhunting (Tue 6/12/22) he was again out hunting. During the course of that day his terrierman assaulted sabs. Two members of North Wales Hunt Sabs were run in to by the quad. When Mr Finnegan committed the  offence to which he admitted guilt, he was enjoying a joint meeting with the Ledbury Hunt. Despite this, Herefordshire Council have granted permission for the Ledbury Hunt to hold their Boxing Day meet in Ledbury town centre. It seems criminality is not an obstacle to self promotion or council endorsement. Ledbury Hunt have actually claimed that they know nothing at all of the conviction.
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North Dorset Hunt Sabs also a report a serious assault of a lone female sab, on 5^th December 2022.
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On 10^th December, Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt drove his car at a monitor, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. While his victim was on the ground, Carter took his camera. It was later found, smashed. A serious altercation then occurred between the monitors and the hunt. Police were called, but as this was Wiltshire, no action was taken. Carter (who has had TWO cases of illegal foxhunting dropped by the CPS, one due to a procedural error) is the “competent person” who wrote the risk assessment for the hunt.

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Court

On 11/12/22 Cheshire monitors released the footage which the CPS considered was insufficient evidence to pursue a case of foxhunting against Chris Woodward of the Wynnstay Hunt. In court the hunt members attempted to intimidate the witness who was willing to stand and give evidence. Another witness would not give evidence for fear of reprisals.
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6/12/22, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court: Ollie Finnegan now Huntsman with the Cheshire Hounds, has pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7/1/22, whilst he was the Huntsman with the Quorn Hunt. Leicestershire Police force seized his phone and found incriminating text messages, which furthered the case against him.
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Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham from the Beaufort Hunt were due in Swindon Magistrates Court on 8^th and 9^thDecember 2022. There had been numerous previous hearings and much public money spent. On the morning of the 8^th, the case was suddenly and inexplicably dropped. The Beaufort is King Charles’ hunt. His good friend, Lord Mancroft is also part of it. We can’t think why it was dropped…
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John Lewis of the Lamerton Hunt was due in Plymouth Magistrates Court on 09/12/22, charged with having dogs dangerously out of control. The offence occurred 5/2/22. The result of this case is not yet known but it is interesting that the offence refers to dogs dangerously out of control.

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Police

Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team report on their Facebook page that they have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. They say they have done this because they issued the hunt with a warning notice in May 2022 about the anti-social use of the country road network. They say that the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN.
“ The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point. Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“ Because of the right to appeal, it is obviously not a done deal yet, but this will send shockwaves through the hunting community and through the various organisations that offer them tacit protection.
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On Sat (3/12/22) Kent Police positioned themselves to stop sab vehicles outside of the East Kent Hunt kennels, thereby denying the sabs the opportunity to follow the hunt to its meet. The police were successful and the sabs chose to find another hunt. Well done to the Kent Police.  You haven’t just aided and abetted illegal hunting by one hunt, but sent a signal to hunts all over the country that some police forces are still on the side of illegal hunting and against groups who legally try and oppose it. The police know it, we know it, that there will be no retribution against the police for this deplorable conduct.
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Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) report that the police rescued a hound from a deep water tank.  The Cheshire Hunt had left this hound behind and it was the reaction of a quick thinking officer from the rural crime team that pulled the hound out of the tank. The Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) are, in fact, full of praise for the police effort yesterday. The police challenged the behaviour of the terrier men and were prepared to get their feet muddy.
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6/12/22: Staffordshire Hunt Sabs report that the North Staffs Hunt has had to pack up early as the hunt staff agreed with the police that the hounds had been out of control.
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It looks as though control of the hounds is becoming a bigger issue. It is easier to prove, rather than the more difficult to prosecute offence of foxhunting.

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Bad news for hunts

The Saltersgate Farmers Hunt have been caught digging out a badger sett on land controlled by the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Authority has banned the hunt from that particular area which is good, but it is felt that the Authority needs to ban the hunt from all of the areas under its control. Observations to this effect can be made to: general@northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Other news

 ‘Keep the Ban’ has a new website.

It is now ‘Protect the Wild’.  It has the following website address. Just as we like others to support us I am sure they’d appreciate a visit. It’s a fine website – with the search bar sliding smoothly in from the right in an elegant and rather impressive way.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/
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Astonishing though it is, some churches actually support hunting. In Shropshire, a service for The United Pack, was arranged at St George’s Church in Clun on Sunday 11^th December. Shropshire AAF asked people to contact the church politely and ask them to reconsider, given that hunts are keen on animal cruelty – and that cannot be Christian. The service was cancelled, not on moral grounds, but because a member of the clergy received emails, which she thought were threatening.
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The cold weather has kept the badgers underground. Underground badgers have kept the shooters at home. This has given the anti-cullers a welcome break.

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Hunts and the public

Another case of hunt trespass occurred on Sat 10/12/22 and was reported by Three Counties Hunt Sabs when the Cotswolds Hunt were asked to leave land by the land owner.
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The following has been borrowed from the Peterborough Hunt Sabs. “This week an elderly birdwatcher was knocked down by the out-of-control Fitzwilliam Hunt while they were out walking. “At least 30 fox hounds came charging down the path in full cry and knocked me down, I complained to the red coat on horseback but he just shouted “we’ve been doing this for 350 years!” And rode off!” We’re not sure that knocking over elderly birdwatchers for 350 years is much to boast about.

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Sab News

Yet another new group has formed. It is called the Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs. Amongst their other activities they are organising a demo against the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt meet in Tavistock on Boxing Day. Good luck to WDHS!
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Drones are becoming a integral part of sab groups’ toolkits. Sheffield Hunt Sabs did a fund raiser in order to buy one, and hit their target in less than 24hours. Good effort.

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Boxing Day

With help from some parish and town councils, many Boxing Day meets are still going ahead. Grantham, is the exception (well done GABS), and a number of others are also looking unlikely or at least, compromised. There is a list on Grantham Against Bloodsports Facebook Page. AAF has been campaigning all year, challenging the meets on grounds of health and safety. To challenge these meets, you need evidence; Boxing Day 2022, and New Year’s Day 2023 are our only two opportunities to collect it. Go to the meets, take a camera and film. Here’s some advice about what to look for:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-meets-watch-listen-record/

Somerset County Council has astonished all of us by using EMERGENCY road closures to facilitate three Boxing Day meets. They say that this is because the hunts have not applied for proper road closures in time. CALL TO ACTION – email a complaint to the council. Protect the Wild has made it very easy to do. Click here for more details.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/news/somerset-county-council-using-emergency-powers-help-hunt-parades/

Latest News 3 December 2022

Hunt Violence, Cruelty and Law-Breaking

Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that whilst out sabbing the Grove and Rufford Hunt, the ex-master Gerard Farmer arrived with some of his friends and they proceeded to slash all four of the tyres on the sab vehicle. This happened on 19th November. A police investigation is underway. I do not know if this is the same vehicle that was seized by the Derbyshire police about four weeks ago, but with the police being so helpfully disposed towards the hunters and cullers, one has to ask, why would the hunt NOT conduct themselves like this. There is little risk of the police taking action against them.

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The West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue, unintimidated by the hunt or by the police, to sab the Warwickshire Hunt. On 12th November, they met with the usual disgraceful conduct. A sab was assaulted by hunt steward Harry Sawyer. It’s on camera.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that the South Dorset Hunt had a hound injured by a motorist on 22 November.  Hunt support removed the hound whilst it was still howling in pain. The same hunt trespassed on land owned by a racehorse stud farm. The owner inconveniently interrupted their pursuit of a fox. He also told them to stop disturbing his valuable livestock. If that wasn’t enough, they also got their hounds muddled up with hounds from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt who were hunting in the SAME FIELD. Both hunts were being sabbed at the time.

I’ve included the link to the report below, as this one really defies imagination.

https://www.facebook.com/mendiphuntsabs/posts/pfbid0hFeE58hSGRoF32T6CNJXtMVZxynJtMg7RkPbTXyWXyjjVpzue9vUnPp5HZwZ13jVl

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On 26th November,  the Albrighton Hunt left one of their injured hounds wandering alone in the dark after they had packed up. Reported by Staffordshire Hunt Sabs.

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Again, on 26th November, South Cambridge Hunt Sabs had two tyres slashed at the start of their sabbing day. They think they know who the perpetrators were and have submitted evidence to the police.

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Still on 26th November, Wildlife Crime Action has the video of the pack of hounds ragging a fox in the middle of a field. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale huntsman and terrier man are there, and like any good trail hunters they had come equipped with a plastic bag to remove the evidence. It is unpleasant footage. The footage has been shared in an attempt to force Avon and Somerset Police to take action.

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On Tue 29th November  Calder Valley Hunt Sabs report a hound of the Grove and Rufford, killed on the busy A614 road. The picture of a sab cradling the dead hound is deeply moving. Poor dog. Poor sab. We feel so sad for both of you.

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Sab successes

On Saturday (19th Nov) Cottesmore Hunt was sabbed by 90-100 sabs, as result of their attack on a sab a couple of weeks ago. A sheep collapsed and had bleeding from one eye and its nose, after the Cottesmore Hunt passed (rampaged) through the field. South Lodge Farm seemed indifferent to the animal suffering. They may even have been abetting the hunt.

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Police

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs who have to contend with the incredibly bad policing of the Wiltshire police, photographed the Conservative MP James Gray out on foot, with the Beaufort Hunt on 19th November. Bath Hunt Sabs also covered this event. Mr Gray MP said it was a legal hunt and but failed to account for at least eight terriermen!

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On 19th November 22, the West Kent Hunt Sabs are reporting that the Kent Police impounded two quads that were out with the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The terrier men were driving without insurance, tax and had swapped number plates.  The new precedents we now have, are;- North Wales police inspecting the contents of the box in front of the quad, Leicestershire Police ticketing bad parking at the meeting of a hunt in a village, and now Kent Police taking two quads away on a low loader. Tellingly, the West Kent Hunt Sabs go on to comment that they hope the police officers’ careers will not be adversely affected by their action as the Hunt is protected by senior officers in Kent Police. Kent Police still have Mike Bax as the Head of the advisory group to the Kent Police Rural Crime Team. Mike Bax is a former huntsman and was drummed out as head of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

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On 17th November, Wildlife Crime Action report that a serving officer with Dorset Police forwarded a post recently, advertising a horse for sale which included the description, “been cubbing and hound exercise“. It is alleged that that the unnamed officer regularly attends the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt meetings. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually feel that police in this country were accountable.

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On 29th November,  Nottingham Hunt Sabs filmed of one of the Quorn huntsmen attempting to steal sab property by grabbing at the camera. The sab retained the camera but it was destroyed in the tussle.  One may have thought there was enough evidence for the police to take action, but this is an English police force and the offenders are Foxhunters.

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Court Happenings

The CPS has just withdrawn evidence of a fox being chased by the Wynnstay Hunt. This may be a prelude to a not guilty verdict.

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The members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt that rammed the Manchester vehicles are still awaiting sentencing. The crime happened on 19th March 2019.

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Calls to action

There is a petition to ban the Ledbury Hunt from the town on  Boxing Day. Here is the link.

https://chng.it/KGSPRWdjcv

After two years, Somerset County Council have finally accepted that hunts, just like everyone else, MUST follow the usual procedures for staging their public Christmas meets. AAF wants to hear from anyone who knows anything about objections to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day Meets. Please complete our contact form and we will get back to you straight away. We can help with protests and objections.

Boxing Day and NYD Contact Form

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Bad News for Hunts

Not close to home, but a very old hunt in Ireland has folded, (Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt).

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Other News

The HSA has put out a newsletter summing up the progress made since the release of the webinars. One of the most startling statements in the press release states “… A host of other hunts are set to bite the dust this season,…” That is a very surprising statement from people who have been so totally immersed in having to be realistic about the survivability of hunts and hunting. Let’s hope they are right.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team stopped a trailer not far from the venue of the Warwickshire Hunt Ball. Having been lied to by the driver, officers searched the trailer and found a bunch of silly people inside, on their way to their annual bash where they celebrate the fox killings of the past year.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any mistakes or would like us to add something, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Saturday 19th November 2022

What have the hunts been up to?

This week, we learned of the tragic death of Matrix the Cat, at the hands of the Brocklesby Hunt. We are sad for the cat and for his owners. But, this doesn’t end here. We will get justice. 

On 14^th November, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt supporters appear to have lobbed a firework into the vehicle belonging to the North Dorset Hunt Sabs.
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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that hunts are still hunting on National Trust land and the National Trust is not taking action to deal with the trespass.

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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs, reporting on the Cottesmore Hunt, noted:  ‘…a distressed sheep farmer was furious that the hunt had frightened her pregnant ewes, disregarding a previous request for them to stay away from the flock.’ That could trigger sheep aborting over the next couple of days. No wonder she was furious. The same hunt removed a “Road Closed” sign on the A6003 so they could continue down the road unhindered.

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Weymouth Animal Rights report that on 5/11/22 the South Dorset Hunt chased and killed a deer.  Footage of the incident will be put forward to the police.
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On November 13^th, the Blencathra Foxhounds held an illegal fox hunt in the Carrock Fell area. This involved illegal hunting, trespassing across Lake District National Park, driving quads across LDNPA land. They also cleared the area of visitors first, by bullying  holiday-makers and day trippers out of the way first.

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Cambridge Hunt Sabs report that, at a joint meeting of 1) the Puckeridge Hunt and 2) Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt, the hunters and their supporters were excessively disposed towards aggression.

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What’s gone wrong for the hunts and right for us?

Here is an unexpectedly great result. Four weeks ago we reported on the conviction for illegal foxhunting of Mark Pearson, from the South Dorset Hunt. Here is a rather welcome follow up from AAF (Action Against Foxhunting). “Waitrose have suspended their relationship with Mark Pearson who supplied them with milk”. A successful and very speedy AAF & WAR (Weymouth Animal Rights) campaign

If you are willing to add more pressure to what has already borne fruit, here is a related petition from last week, triggered by the successful prosecution.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/richard-drax-stop-allowing-the-hunts-to-use-your-land/

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The Kings Head Pub in Pebmarsh, who inadvertently hosted the East Essex Hunt on 12^th November, won’t be doing that again. It turned out that the pub didn’t know the booking was for the hunt. The pub don’t support the hunt and they will not be welcome there again. We understand that this is a REALLY VERY NICE PUB, and if you are in Pebmarsh, pop in for a quick drink and say thank you._______

The Wynnstay Hunt could be in more difficulties than it realises. On Saturday 5^th Nov, the police attended in an unmarked car. The hunt had changed the venue of their opening meeting perhaps because they were no longer welcome at their traditional seasonal start point. With sabs present, and the police present, the hunt was very subdued and cautious, and probably actually afraid of being caught hunting illegally. How long will it be before the hunters, Lord Lieutenant and/or the High Sheriff, lose their nerve and decide they ought not to be bringing public opprobrium against the crown?

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Are the police more good than bad now?

West Kent Hunt Sabs have revealed a link between a former huntsman and the Kent rural police. As the sabs remark, “This explains why no action is ever taken when we contact Kent police about illegal hunting activity.” In a just world the Kent Police would try and account for their conduct. More likely they will just ignore the complaints.

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A post appeared on a pro hunter’s Facebook page complaining about Cumbrian Police’s presence at North Cumberland’s fox hunt on 20^th October 2022. The poster just COULD NOT understand why the police sent two police cars to investigate an allegation of illegal foxhunting. We’ll answer that – it’s because you were breaking the law and that’s what police are for.

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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that a fox fled away from the hunt into private property on 9^th November. The home owner called the police and the controller replied that trespass was not a criminal offence and the hunt were exercising their hounds. Cumbria Police did however attend and they are taking positive action regarding the handling of the call. The report also shows a picture of the fox, on the roof of the house next door, trying to escape the hunt.

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There was another precedent this week, this time reported by the Nottingham Hunt Sabs.  “Hunt supporters blocked roads and police ticketed the vehicles that were parked dangerously in the village.” The hunt involved was the Quorn and the Police force was the Leicestershire Police. (Last week’s precedent was the North Wales Police insisting in viewing the contents of the box on the front of a quad.)

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The North Yorks Police have joined other forces that can’t move forward, and continue to allow themselves to be manipulated by the hunts. On 5^th November, the East Yorks Coast Hunt Sabs had the North Yorks Police version of law enforcement displayed to them when they sabbed the Derwent Hunt. Six officers with four cars and threats of arrest were the order of the day.

https://www.facebook.com/page/1426555787466531/search/?q=police

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Court Happenings

Arun Squire, Huntsman of the Puckeridge Hunt, was due to face trial on Tuesday 15th November. The trial has been postponed until the 15th/16th May 2023 with a case management hearing due on 22nd of March.

Mr Squire therefore remains on bail for the rest of the hunting season.
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Tim Ingram formally whipper in with the Mendip Farmers Hunt and now Huntsman for the South Tetcott Hunt has pleaded guilty to criminal damage having been recorded on dash cam, being driven past the sab vehicle as a passenger on a quad, and kicking out at it. It has cost him a total of £912 and he now has a criminal record. There is no mention, however of any action being taken against the 16-year-old driver of the illegal quad. It could be that this is under Wiltshire police jurisdiction, so no further action will be taken.

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Last week, David Thomas from Dwyryd Fox Hounds received a jail sentence of 24 weeks and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. He had been convicted of six offences under the animal welfare act. He has now appealed this sentence, and it has been reduced to 13 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. What a farce.

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A football striker, Kian Harratt, with Bradford city FC has been convicted of hare coursing. The 20-year-old, from Pontefract, was sentenced along with two other men at Beverley Magistrates Court after being stopped by police in East Yorkshire on 3 April.

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Myles O’Connor, of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt (a Scottish hunt) has pleaded not guilty to illegal fox hunting. The offence occurred on 22/12/21. His trial will be in the New Year.

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On November 16^th, Daniel Cherriman, master of the South Shropshire Hunt pleaded guilty (probably because he couldn’t think of a defence) to hunting offences and was fined £600 for “disturbing a fox”. He was very that he would “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs. We would ask Mr C to add in “anti bloodsports campaigners”  just to make sure he includes all of us who will be subjecting him to adverse comments.

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Wiltshire Police have dropped the case against the terrier man who assaulted a sab last March, resulting in a bleed on the brain.

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Other News

In June several interested people raised an objection to the plans for a farm in Cheshire to start a mobile zoo business under the banner “Zoo2U“. The planning application has been rejected and, as is so often the way, an amended plan has been submitted.

You/we have until the 18th of November to register objections.

The proposed site is owned by a Badger Cull Director.

Here is the link.

https://freedomforanimals.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f8f4a3f22312d6cf35dc262ab&id=f99da7fed1&e=c74604483f

Thank you for reading.

“HEADLINES” is produced by Foxy Blether and AAF. If you spot any inaccuracies, or have something to add, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org. Thank you to the sab and monitor groups whose stories we have shared. 

Latest News 5th November 2022

 

Prosecutions, investigations and convictions

A member of the Portman Hunt was given a 16 week community order for assaulting a sab from north Dorset Hunt Sabs on on Saturday 24th September at Ochill, North Dorset.
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This next one one is shocking. We know that Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt was in court for illegal hunting, and that the case was dropped because of a “technicality”. Salisbury Plain Monitors have now released all the footage (which shows Carter to be as guilty as sin. So why was the case dropped? Read the details here: https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/royal-artillery-hunt-a-licence-to-kill/

A Prestatyn man, (Philip Stevens) has been found guilty of badger baiting at Mold Magistrates Court. He received a sentence of 24 months prison, suspended for 12 months, 180 hours of community service, costs of £500 and victim surcharge of £128. He was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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The following incident occurred at the Cottesmore Hunt on Tuesday 25th October. A woman sab (Lisa Jaffray) was run into by a hunt supporter. The driver drove off without stopping. The victim was taken to hospital, and was discharged the following day. Leicestershire police say “A 59-year-old woman, from Knossington, was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent (Wednesday 25^th October). She has since been released under investigation.”

(DI Charles Edward is investigating).
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A jail sentence of 18 months has been meted out to Luke Rix (32) from South Warwickshire, who filmed  himself hunting wildlife. The film reveals a very sadistic nature and he has also been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and was ordered to pay £500 and £128 victim surcharge.
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Police

The difference between different police forces attitudes towards hunting could eventually become a scandal. Hunts will be looking to hunt outside their territory to favour the areas that have hunt-sympathetic or corrupt policing.

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The sit-on-their-hands-and-do-nothing Wiltshire Police seem to have done nothing to progress the case against the assailant who caused the bleed on the brain for a sab. The assault occurred last March.
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The North Wales police insisted that the terrier man, from the Flint and Denbigh, who said the box on the front of his quad was empty, should open the box for the police to see. There was, of course, a terrier there. The terrier man was informed that there was no place for terriers on a trail hunt. However, no further action appears to have occurred. ‘Going equipped’ is not a hunting offence, but we’re looking into this.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have a lot of problems with the Royal Artillery Hunt, and a lack of police action. The following, in part, would explain why: “…we also know this farm hosts Wiltshire Police and allows them to train their police dogs on their land so if you’re ever hoping for this lot to face the force of the law you will be sorely disappointed“.  You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.

Sadly, the RA killed a fox on Saturday.
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The Three Counties Hunt Sabs were sabbing the Heythrop Hunt. When it was evident that the hunt was not acting within the law the police were called, and the Gloucestershire Police did attend. Shortly after that the hunt return to base. The difference of attitudes around Britain’s police forces is quite remarkable.
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Holcombe Hunt indulged in the common tactic of being aggressive to sabs and then calling the police to say they were being intimidated and bullied. When Lancashire Police turned up with three vehicles, they saw the video footage and told the hunt (and Mr Clarke junior) to behave.

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HUNT DISASTERS and SAB  ACTIVITY

The hunts are having increasing problems. People in the countryside are no longer afraid of them and are standing up to their bullying tactics, the police are no longer reliable, and don’t necessarily arrive and start making problems for the sabs. Many sab groups now have drones, which means their ability to monitor the location of the hunt is getting better and better. Quite a few hunts are struggling financially. It is probably true to say that the wind is no longer in their favour.
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East Devon Hunt, Axe Vale and the Cotley were upset when we noticed that the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for East Devon District Council forgot to exempt hounds. This means that the hounds cannot run about unleashed on roads. It also means that no one can be in charge of more than six dogs at a time and someone has to pick up all their faeces. Sabs are no on the look out for any of this behaviour and will report breaches to the council.

In Cornwall, another PSPO requires all dog owners to pick up their dog’s faeces – once again hounds are not exempt.
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The East Kent Hunt was sabbed and packed up around 11 am on Saturday. At about that time an angry landowner (who gave his name on video) (Colin Lee) turned up and complained to the hunt about hunt trespass. The world is changing. More and more people are prepared to stand up to the hunt.

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Many sab groups report the use of their drones in their hunt surveillance. Last weekend included:-

Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs versus Oakley Hunt
Surrey Hunt Sabs versus Ashford Valley
North London Hunt Sabs versus East Essex
South Coast Hunt Sabs versus East Kent
Manchester Hunt Sabs versus Warwickshire Hunt.

Drones are becoming more and more part of the sab toolkit and they are becoming expert at piloting them.
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Sheffield Hunt Sabs said thank you to those that contributed, in order that they could get their vehicle back from the police. (It was seized last week.) They used it to good effect in getting rid of some lampers as well as doing their badger work.
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Last week we reported on a new sab group called “Locals against the Blankley Hunt“. This week the HSA are reporting that there is yet another sab group formed, this one is called “East Surrey Hunt Sabs“. In Somerset, we have another new group, called Somerset Sabs.

We wish all the new groups success.

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A Scottish Hunt, (the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt) has acquired some adverse publicity in the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.  “A pack of 50 loose dogs caused havoc in the countryside – worrying sheep, spooking horses and scaring people. The baying hounds were seen stampeding through fields, roads and a quarry on the morning of Tuesday, October 18.” No sabs were present, and it was the local people that took umbrage and alerted the police.
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Cottesmore Hunt didn’t let the hit and run interrupt their hunting day. Later on in the day the sab report states: “as sabs closed in hunt terrier man Gary McCann assisted by other masked thugs assaulted sabs punching one in the face, smashing a camera and knocking female Sabs to the ground and strangling them.“
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Dunstan Harriers had a number of hounds killed by a train on an active railway line on Monday 31st. From previous knowledge the railway/transport police seem to be rather better at successful prosecutions than the national police forces, so we wait and see what becomes of this. This is the sixth railway trespass by hunts, that we know about, in the last three years.
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Campaigns

Richard Drax MP is coming under scrutiny after the conviction of Mark Pearson (hunting offences) from the South Dorset Hunt. Not only does he own the land on which the kill happened, he also rents their kennels out to them. Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) and AAF are asking Mr Drax to ban the hunt from his land. Please sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

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The convict Mark Pearson supplies milk to Waitrose. After the conviction, Waitrose should reconsider this arrangement, particularly given the artwork displayed in Watirose stores assuring shoppers of their compassion towards animals. Campaign details coming soon.
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Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets are approaching. AAF (together with other groups) is challenging 28 of these meets and would like to hear of more. Please click on this link to let us know if you are involved.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/the-simple-version/

Other News

Matt Hancock a Conservative MP has been suspended from his party. His mother is Shirley Carter, and the Wynnstay Hunt has used her home, The Greaves, near Wrexham, for their meets. Up to now the hunt has had a line through to Cabinet level which may in part account for their confidence in flouting the law.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 22nd October 2022

 

POLICE Response to illegal hunting

 

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs Facebook page requires a visit if you are to understand what is going on between them and the police. The key point here is this: how did the Warwickshire Hunt know anything about the arrests of the sabs last week, unless police told the hunt themselves? Read the details here:https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/posts/pfbid0XP2j6cSXeZWSf2CziaDQpHRMjJ3mspgQU6urMe6p6X9n7g9ByFp8NYoo5TexNamBl
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Bedfordshire Police have been out with a 4 x 4 keeping an eye on the Oakley Hunt. The police also found time to have an interesting discussion with the Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. This left the sab group with the impression that some interesting times might lie ahead for the hunts.
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Whilst the Nottingham Hunt Sabs with a member of the Lincoln Hunt Sabs were out sabbing the Blankley Hunt, the Lincolnshire Police arrested the driver and navigator from the Nottingham Hunt Sabs for an, as yet, unspecified offence. Their vehicle is now in a police pound.
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Derbyshire Police have seized a vehicle belonging to the Sheffield Hunt Sabs whilst they were out opposing the badger Cull.
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The Leicestershire Police want to liaise with sabs. It’s difficult to imagine any sab wanting to cooperate with police who have spent 18 years perfecting ways to harass or intimidate an organisation that wants the laws upheld. On the other hand, the police are part of this (no matter what we think) and if liaising with the police means the hunts are put under more pressure, then we might want to consider it.
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The (Isle of) Wight Hunt Sabs Facebook page recounts an interesting little story. One of the Isle of White Foxhound supporters became verbally aggressive and then called the police. The interaction had been recorded by the sabs and they showed the recording to the police which confirmed that the aggressive verbal behaviour had not been initiated by the sabs. The perpetrator of the abuse then appeared and when the police went to speak to him he would not calm down. So they arrested him and took him away in a police van. It’s great to hear a case of the police being called by the hunt and it backfiring in quite such a exemplary manner.
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The Western Hunt were very miffed at being sabbed by the West Cornwall Hunt Sabs and decided to take revenge by using their smart phone whilst driving, to film the sabs. They chose to do it in front of a police officer and we are now waiting to see if there is an outcome from this particular irresponsible activity, because the police officer did set off in pursuit. The West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are nothing if not persistent, and they will let us all know in due course how this develops.
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Last week we reported a window smashing event that (allegedly) the Norwich Constabulary had said they couldn’t do anything about. This week their inaction in not even investigating, Norwich Constabulary were rewarded for their indifference by being able to ring the sabs up to tell them that one of their vehicles had been extensively vandalised.

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Convictions and Prosecutions

Mark Pearson of the South Dorset Hunt has been found guilty of fox hunting. The penalty is £6,000 fine, £190 victim surcharge, and £620 costs.  His blatant lying in court is very disconcerting. He had killed one fox earlier in the day and the police deemed it an accident and allowed him to continue hunting. It was fortunate that the second kill was recorded by a monitors with cameras. The judge held that he should have had his hounds under control.
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A game keeper, (Matthew Stroud) has admitted illegally shooting and poisoning birds of prey. He received (from Norwich Magistrates’ Court) a 12 month community order, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and fined £692.
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Huntsman David Thomas from Dwydryd Hunt, has pleaded guilty to running a badger baiting ring at the Hunt kennels. Sentencing is due on 7th November. (He has had a previous prison sentence for badger baiting).
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Two men from the Wynnstay Hunt, Jamie Barnes, of Nottingham, and Ben Lloyd Davies from Welshpool have been found guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court of interfering with badger setts at a farm in Wrexham in August last year. The court heard that at the time, Barnes had been employed by the Wynnstay Hunt, and “had been asked to get a rogue (bagged) fox” ahead of the following day’s hunt. They were each fined £1000, £600 costs and £100 victim surcharge.
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Ms Sarah Moulds was visibly discombobulated last week when her trial date was set back until 22nd of August 2023. Ms Moulds was the lady who struck and kicked her horse at the Cottesmore Hunt.
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There are about another eleven hunts awaiting their turn in court.

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Hunt Activity

Local Hunt Sabs have now helped remove three hunts from our countryside. The latest demise (The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt) has allowed those same sabs to turn their attention to the Teme Valley Hunt, whose dogs rioted among a field of sheep last week.
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Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) sabbed the South Dorset Hunt, last Saturday. Their hit report says that a monitor from Wildlife Crime Action got himself/herself into the appropriate position and has some quite damning footage. We have to await more information, but that sounds encouraging.
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The Three Countries Hunt Sabs show photographs of what happens when you let dogs run across a cattle grid. The Heythrop Hunt seemed indifferent to their own utter stupidity.
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Last Wednesday, both the Cheshire Monitors and Cheshire Against Bloodsports reported violence from the Wynnstay Hunt, and that it was recorded on video.
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A landowner has written to the Hereford Times, and complained about a hunt trespassing on his land. The offending Hunt was The Radnor and West Herefordshire Hunt. It is yet another example of hound trespass, and of hunts being not as popular as they would like their followers to believe.
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Devon Hunt Sabs report that not only were their tyres slashed but the brake lines on their vehicle were cut.
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The dogs of the Thurlow Hunt attacked a muntjac deer, which subsequently had to be put down. It was recorded on video by the Cambridge Hunt Sabs. It is the subject of a police investigation.

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Other news

AAF’s Rural Survey returned the following results (among other figures). Only 7% of rural residents support fox hunting. 73% of rural residents know that hunts are still killing foxes and 90% of local residents don’t attend the Boxing Day Meet in their town.
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With Boxing Day approaching, more and more hunts are finding their public meets under threat. AAF and other local groups are challenging 25 (and more) hunt meets across the country. The challenges relate to public safety and legal permissions. Hunts always just show up on the day, illegally block roads, and generally do as they please. Everyone else has to obey the rules and there is no reason why the hunts are an exception. AAF wants more locals to help. Please contact info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org for further details.
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Having had one of their members assaulted by a masked-up member of the Essex Farmers Hunt, various sab groups returned the following week to mount a very successful sab on that hunt.
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Reminder to those that tramp across fields by night to consider their own safety. In Carmarthenshire on the 23rd  Sept a Farmer was killed by his own bull. And on 25th September, Lancashire police reported finding the body of a woman that appeared to be killed by cattle.
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The wife of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business and Energy Secretary who last week said the market turmoil was not due to the Mini budget, was out hunting with the Mendip Farmers Hunt last Saturday. The party whose corner stones are of financial and economic rectitude, and law and order, is not without its shortcomings!
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A puppy farmer from Essex has received a four-year jail sentence for her puppy farming activities.
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A new group has been formed. “Locals Against the Blankley Hunt”. It appears to me the hunts that are likely to suffer the most are those with a dedicated sab group. We wish the new group well.
Thank you for reading. 

 

Latest News 9th October 2022

 

Police response to illegal hunting

The Wynnstay Hunt was out cub hunting on Wednesday 21st September.
Cheshire Monitors say they don’t normally bother ringing the police, “…because they’ve shown no real interest in hunting in the past, but they’ve just admitted being poor with their responses in the past and that things have changed.” Indeed they have changed because the West Mercia police attended. Hunts must soon start asking themselves if the police attendance is simply a one-off, or if it represents a sea change.

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Last Boxing Day there was a violent kerfuffle in the village of Lacock hunt supporters from the Avon Vale Hunt attacked protesters. Earlier this year three hunt supporters pleaded guilty to public order offences. However, Wiltshire Police, (a force that is now in special measures) decided to prosecute two of the people that were attacked. Last week, District Judge Joanna Dickens dismissed the charges against the two defendants using the words “Ultimately the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thin…” The police submitted a short clip of video as evidence. The guys were trying to defend themselves.

If you cast your mind back you may remember one of the police officers present was a paid up member of the hunt.

Bringing the case against the two people who were trying to defend themselves, is an example of Wiltshire police trying to appear even-handed, whilst actually undermining trust in the police.
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Wiltshire Police, or possibly just their PCC Phillip Wilkinson, have released a promotional video to the BBC making some quite extravagant claims about what the Wiltshire Police are up to, to stop crime in the countryside. The PCC said that hare coursing events are being live streamed into China and people there are betting tens of thousands of dollars on which dog will take the hare. “…Gangs with dogs and four by fours chase hares across farmland and the criminals leaves thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake and will use intimidation and violence to set up the chase.“ He goes on, “The people involved are often also involved in running county lines and modern day slavery too, these are serious criminals and a very real threat.”

The PCC went on to say that they weren’t “worried about the hares… just the damage to property”. Once again, this PCC is dismissing the Hunting Act. We would like him to commit to enforcing ALL laws, including the HA, rather than picking and choosing according to his own personal opinion regarding illegal hunting.

I’m sure Wiltshire rural crime team will be an excellent job of apprehending these international criminals.

My advice to hare coursers in Wiltshire, wear a bright red jacket and if stopped by the police tell them that you are trail hunting.
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The Norwich Hunt Sabs comment favourably about the rural police team attending a meet of the West Norfolk Foxhounds. Although they did arrive late in the day they informed the sabs that they intended to put up a drone in order to monitor the hunt, and indeed they lived up to their promise. With the Norfolk police finally realising that the hunts are acting illegally, they may care to reconsider whether their conviction against sab a few years back for aggravated trespass was in fact a miscarriage of justice.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs had a window smashed on their car whilst kennel watching the West Norfolk Fox Hounds. Allegedly, Norfolk Constabulary said they were unable to do anything.

Hunt Activity

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs have video footage of a huntsman, Olivia Forsyth, from the Warwickshire Hunt galloping after a fox in the hope of turning it back into the maize for her Hounds. It’s pretty blatant cub hunting.
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West Kent Hunt Sabs have video footage of the East Kent with West Street Hunt acting violently towards a member of the public. They have identified the attacker, so perhaps in six months time we will see yet another court case.
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On the 16th of September, The Times carried an article concerning the hunting of a stag for three hours before it was shot dead. The article carried a photograph of the hunter at the moment of the discharge of the rifle aimed at the stag. Stag hunting is probably one of the most disgusting versions of hunting that there is in this country and it is good to see that a major and respected newspaper is becoming more willing to cover the issue.

I don’t suppose the nation’s opprobrium will cause the Quantock Hunt to bat an eyelid. Eventually, however, public opinion will matter enough to those that could put a stop to hunting to take action.
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Prosecutions

Three members of the Vale of White Horse Hunt have pleaded not guilty to hunting offences. Their trial date has been set for the 23rd of March 2023.

That makes the number of hunts awaiting court appearances 13. There could be more.

Other News

The struggles, pertinacity, and bravery of some people can be quite remarkable.

A lady reports that she followed the Ludlow Hunt on her land for two hours and then managed to open the box on the front of a quad. There was a fox there but, before she could reach for the Fox, the quad drove off. Subsequently she saw the fox being transferred to a hessian bag. The hessian sack was thrown into the back of a Land Rover, which was driven off. What was happening was being relayed by telephone to the police who responded quickly, but not quickly enough to catch the culprits.
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The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, has been out cub hunting. The hunt also meet and hunt on their estate, which contravenes the law forbidding land to be used for illegal hunting. I do wonder if he/she is keeping an eye on the mood of the authorities and the public.
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Nottingham Hunt Sabs showed a picture of a young dead badger. It had been shot and wounded, but it couldn’t quite make it back to its sett. It’s worth remembering that it was the cattle that gave the TB to the badgers and not vice versa.

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Avian bird flu has been found in pheasants.
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The Welsh government is setting out a bill that will make snare and glue traps illegal. It is part of a larger Welsh Agricultural Bill.
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Scotland is planning to get rid of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and replace it with legislation that will make the hunting with dogs more difficult to get away with.  Scottish ministers have reacted with, “… chasing and killing a mammal with a dog for sport or otherwise has no place in modern Scotland.” They are trying to close the loopholes which hunts use to circumvent the law. It appears to be a step in the right direction because the Scottish branch of the bloodsport industry is already against it.

Latest News 24th September 2022

Hunt changes

Bleane Beagles, a Kent based Hare Hunt has amalgamated with the Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex Beagles. It is another case of where there were once two hunts, now there is only one. The title of the hunt with which they have amalgamated suggests that, that Hunt, too, is an amalgamation of several.

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It is quite difficult to keep track of hunts when they close down or amalgamate.

We know that the New Forest Hounds are now a bloodhound pack and hope that they have an enjoyable season, with no controversy.
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Police, CPS and Prosecutions
The Nottingham Hunt Sabs tell us that when they were attending to the Quorn Hunt recently, the police showed up to do a bit of sabbing themselves – “Leicestershire police had two 4x4s from the rural crime team, driving across fields after this once mighty Hunt”. I don’t recall ever of hearing of the police showing any real intent of stopping illegal hunting. This could send shock waves through the Blood Sport industry.

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Last August a case against the Quorn Hunt was dropped after the intervention of the CPS.

The CPS said:

“Explaining the decision to drop the case, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.

“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swain giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”

It seems that, despite the outcome of that previous case, the police remain unconvinced that the Quorn Hunt is engaged in legal hunting.

After police deploying 4 x 4 in the field, I do wonder if the Quorn remain so confident.
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The North Wales Hunt Sabs may have reported a milestone event. The Flint and Denbigh followed a trail for the first time since the introduction of the Hunting Act 17 years ago. They did however have terriers and their owners on quads, which is suggestive that they wanted to leave their options open.

The Wales police had a presence too. Perhaps they want to clean up their lamentable record prior to the review of the police record on the policing of hunts in North Wales.
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Ben Porter, terrierman for the Hereford and Clifton Hunt was found guilty in Worcester Crown Court on 21/09/22. These were the charges:

Failure to stop after an accident
Failure to report an accident
Driving with undue care and attention, causing injury
No insurance
Incorrect licence (too many passengers on quad bike)
No Mot
Driving an unregistered quad bike on a public road

This happened during a foxhunt on 5^th March. Among other crimes, this man drove a quadbike at speed, hitting and injuring a sab.
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On September 21st in Yeovil Magistrates Court, a member of the Seavington Hunt pleaded guilty to offences under the Hunting Act. This was the person caught on video releasing a bagged fox. He was not, however, convicted for this appallingly cruel act, as the second charge  “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal” was withdrawn. We think this was some sort of a deal. Admitting to using a bagged fox would be disastrous for the hunts, so they settled for breach of the Hunting Act instead. The fine was £180.

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Hunt Activity

There are several reports from hunt sabs groups of very blatant cub hunting. In particular, the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV) were caught on video clearly hunting cubs. In that video, the huntsman (George Pearce) got very excited and galloped up and down a track tootling his horn wildly. I understand that this is not the behaviour of a “skilled huntsman”. Rather, it is the behaviour of a teenage boy watching a naughty video for the first time.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report that at least one (and possibly two) hounds were involved in an RTA on September 8^th. It’s likely that the hounds were from the Avon Vale pack. The hunt master is Stuart Radbourne, well-known to sabs. Poor dogs – they always get a raw deal.
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Given that the number of hunts with members awaiting court appearances sits at twelve, this seems rather rash.

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Other News

The Lancashire and Cumbria Hunt Sabs appear to have laid an ambush worthy of a Ukrainian General. They had fore knowledge that the Melbreak Hunt were intending to hunt direct from their kennels onto National Trust land , from first light. The Sabs got themselves into position, hidden, and with cameras and drone. Sure enough the Melbreak Hunt walked confidently onto National Trust land and cast their hounds. When ready the Sabs showed their hand, and the hunting day was ruined. The National Trust and the police were informed.
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The Blackmore Vale Magazine, a free magazine from North Dorset, published an article called “In defence of foxes”, written by Pip Donovan, from Action Against Foxhunting. It was a response to a  previous comment by a known local pro, Ruth Kimber, who had said, “foxes feast on domestic cats”. Publication of AAF’s article was a surprise, as the magazine is traditionally pro hunt. To read the article, click here:

https://blackmorevale.net/in-defence-of-foxes/?fbclid=IwAR1O3XypZ7z-FMp2SnAarbYP0Jd9kSFpjfaxureNSlzzfEIgdYUxNte9wWY
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While out doing their thing, members of a Cheshire sab group found a couple of puppies (under a year old and covered in faeces and urine burns) just behind a gate of a field at half 11 at night. With the help of a local, they rescued the puppies and off they went to a rescue, where they are thriving. Kind people doing kind things – it always helps to know they are out there.
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If you use ‘Radio Sounds’ to listen to previous radio broadcasts you may choose to listen to ‘Farming Today’ broadcast on 03/09/22. The first few minutes of the broadcast are taking up on the subject of BTB and Elaine from The Cheshire Badger Vaccination program has a short interview. Elaine is known to many of us and she was an excellent interviewee.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

Latest News 10th September 2022

Two more hunts have made it into the list of outstanding court cases. The Seavington Hunt are being charged with animal cruelty, as well as offences under the Hunting Act. The Daily Mail and ITV News showed the video footage of the bagged fox being released. The offence occurred on 5^th March 222.  A 30 year old man will appear in Yeovil Magistrates Court on 21^st September 2022.
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The Fitzwilliam Hunt has received a fox hunting related charge as well. They are due in court on the 22nd Sept for an incident on 5th March 2022.
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On Tuesday 30^th August, three members of the Dunston Harriers pleaded not guilty in Norwich Magistrates’ Court, to a hunting offence that occurred on 18/01/22, and the case was adjourned to a hearing on 28/11/22.
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It appears that twelve hunts are now awaiting court proceedings.
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AAF has launched its “Stop Boxing Day Meets Campaign”. To make things much easier for anyone who wants to start a local campaign, we have produced some straightforward training on our website. Please use the “Contact Form” on the webpage to let us know about your campaign. Here is a link:https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/how-to-stop-boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meets/

AAF is also launching a Children’s Poster Competition with prizes. All children (aged 12 years or under) are invited to enter. We want them to design a poster to show people what to do if they see a wild animal in trouble. Closing date is 31st October. Click here for details:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/poster-competition/

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The Badger Cull started on the 31st August catching most of us by surprise. It was a somewhat earlier start than we anticipated. Responses from saboteur groups around the country have been brilliant.
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There is another petition, this time to help a distressed family whose pet dog has been siezed by the police.

https://www.change.org/p/help-free-dennis-and-get-him-back-home/signatures/confirm?token=ddaf1f5a-c7bf-4f2e-a57a-1635214bdbf9
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Lush continues to support hunt saboteurs with stalls and fundraising in their stores. The most recent was in Liverpool last weekend.
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Hereford hunt sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt has lost the use of a small piece of common land, Bromyard Downs. Possibly not a huge issue but another minor irritant for those that are in favour of hunting.

The Hereford hunt sabs also report that the hounds from the above mentioned hunt appear to have been distributed amongst other hunts. (This is confirmed by the West Kent HUNT SABS who are reporting the arrival of hounds at the East Kent with West Street Hunt.) The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt which had been looking for a kennelman has now had the advert withdrawn. That same hunt might also be without a huntsman. Perhaps the loss of Bromyard Downs turns out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Thank you for reading.

 

Latest News 25th August 2022

The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Foxhunt are not on our list of hunts expecting court appearances in the next few months. However, they have made it into the news because of a successful prosecution of one of their terrier men. In October 2020 Sam Jamie Mepham took it upon himself to repeatedly drive his very large tractor into a sab vehicle.The incident was filmed and he pleaded guilty to an offence which resulted in a sentence of 12 months community service and a 12 month driving ban. He has previously been convicted of killing a wild animal with a crossbow and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

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John Bennett Wright was part of a group of hunt supporters that dragged a lone and disabled sab from his vehicle and assaulted him. Glasgow Hunt Sabs report on their Facebook page, “John Bennett Wright, a thug associated with Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire (L and R) Fox Hounds was today sentenced to a 12 month supervision order on top of being made to carry out 180 hours unpaid community work and paying £500 to his victim.

Ryan Sinclair another supporter incurred a £400 fine. Previous to the attack on the disabled sab, he had been responsible for slashing two tyres and he was also part of the group that attacked the disabled sab.
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Action Against Foxhunting has sent out nearly 10 000 cubbing leaflets in the last few weeks to members of the public who are kind enough to distribute them. However, Keep the Ban’s survey showed that only 1 in 10 people has heard of cub hunting. We need to change this. To order leaflets, please click on this link:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/aaf-leaflets/
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The United Pack were out cubbing at the weekend, but were successfully sabbed. About five different sab groups participated.

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A couple of days ago, the West Kent Hunt Sabs with other groups sent the East Kent with West Street Hunt back to barracks.
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Various sab groups combined to visit the Yorkshire Moors on the 12th and disrupt at least one shoot. Peak District Hunt Sabs show a video of the police arriving to remonstrate with them. The first words an unfortunate police officer uttered were   “…you have disrupted their illegal activity.” It probably wasn’t the best slip of the tongue ever but it did get an enthusiastic response from the assembled Sabs.
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As of yesterday evening, Staffordshire Hunt Sabs along with others had managed to complete three days on the moors already this season. It does not seem to be going that well for those that like to use wild creatures for target practice.
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The Three Counties Mink Hounds are based in Worcestershire. Last weekend they were rampaging on the river Tweed and were being hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch Hunt. Fortunately, the heavily outnumbered Scottish Border Hunt Sabs along with the Glasgow Hunt Sabs attended the meet and showed great determination in stopping their activities.

The hounds were a long way from their normal home territory.

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“Shut Down T and S Rabbits”, has its own Facebook page.

There is now a Camp Bunny as well as a Camp Beagle. They had received support from Sab groups.

It is good to report that we have just heard that the owner of the rabbit farm is withdrawing from rabbit breeding and homes are being sought for rescued rabbits.

The request on their Facebook page is, please, …don’t rock the boat with any independent action until they have been able to clarify the situation.

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West Midlands Hunt Sabs, are petitioning to stop the Warwickshire Hunt from using Council land. Please help support them.

https://chng.it/NWgpmSsd2s
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Natural Resources Wales have upheld their decision to ban trail hunting on their land. That keeps them in line with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority.

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The case against Robert Metcalfe of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt was dropped by the CPS due to lack of evidence.

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The huntsman of the Iveagh Hunt, a Northern Ireland hunt, Jack Harris, has been fined £500 after a pack of hounds killed a cat and bit a man during a fox hunt. He also had to pay £1200 court costs and £15 offender’s levy. Mr Harris did not appear in court as he was thought to have removed himself to England. [Fox hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland but, as in England, 80% or more of the population is against fox hunting. The opprobrium attached to Jack Harris and the Iveagh Hunt only serves to reinforce public opinion.]

________

This petition is one that we would all support. It concerns animals in laboratories.

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/127745480/signed

Since it has already passed 70,000 signatories it does stand a good chance of making an impact.

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“Schadenfreude“. -Happiness in someone else’s misfortune.

The Eggesford Hunt have been successfully sabbed three times  in one week, by Devon County Hunt Sabs.

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The Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt have lost two Masters very recently and they have heard from several sources that the hunt is on its knees. So that is another two hunts that must be planning behind closed doors how to combat the continuing decline of their hunts.
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On the 12th of August whilst out in the peak district the Peak District Hunt Sabs picked up a fine for having a light out on their vehicle. When the police attend a hunt, it’s difficult to get the police to show any interest in traffic offences, be they committed by quad bike riders, or vehicles without MOTs. Having a go at the sab driver or his vehicle is the normal practice of the police when engaging in subtle harassment. We need to keep ourselves and our vehicles absolutely spot on.
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Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt will no longer be able to access Bromyard Downs thanks to a unanimous vote by the Commoners to ban hunting. Bromyard Downs consists of 242 acres of mainly open access common land east of Bromyard, as well as some farmland.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 10th August 2022

Vicky Dymond from the Western Hunt in Cornwall has been given a deferred caution for attacking a hunt saboteur with a whip at the end of last season. This is the third member of the same hunt to be investigated, and two of them have been convicted. Paul Martin was convicted earlier this year for violence and John Sampson for failing to control his hounds, leading to the death of Mini the Cat.

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Where once there was two now there is one… The latest amalgamation that we have learnt about appears to be the Weston and Banwell merging with West Somerset Vale Hunt. In fact this merger may have occurred two years ago, but went unreported at that time.
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At an EGM on Thurs 4/8/22 their Hunt committee voted to close down the TETCOTT Hunt (based about 40 miles west of Exeter), due to lack of support and poor finances. The SOUTH CORNWALL Hunt got a mention in that same EGM, and it also appears to be a hunt that has folded within the last two years.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report that the North Norfolk Harriers are disbanding. The hares will be safer from now on.
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Six members of Chard Town Council paid a visit to Cotley Hunt kennels. The hunt obviously kept the dark side hidden from the councillors and showed them only the parts they wanted them to see. Pip, from AAF, who had also asked to visit, was not included. The Mayor had said that he would not go unless Pip did, but he went anyway without Pip, showing no real backbone. Maybe the hunt should invite the councillors to watch them cubhunting? We have evidence of that from last year, of course. No trail hunting there! AAF will continue the campaign against the Cotley’s Boxing Day meet in Chard. Unlike the councillors, they are not fooled. One more thing – the Cotley have since boasted that FIFTY councillors went to the kennels. It was SIX.
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Norwich Pride normally hold their Pride Picnic in Stody Gardens. But now they’ve found out this is a shooting estate, they have decided to picnic elsewhere. Good for them. We need more bold decisions like this!
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Courts are capable of giving custodial sentences. On Monday, Rhys Davies from North Wales was jailed for eight months and banned from owning dogs for 15 years after using dogs to fight badgers and foxes. He was also fined £1800 at Forfar sheriff court in Scotland.
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Closer to home, Paul O’Shea, from the East Essex Hunt, who was videoed capturing a fox and then repeatedly spearing the live creature with a fork, received an 18 week suspended prison sentence. He also received 200 hours community service, £105 court costs, £128 victim surcharge and banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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Reading HS report that the CPS will not pursue an unlawful hunting case against the Avon Vale Hunt. This hunt was involved in a serious assault on a sab earlier this year.
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The glorious 12^th is approaching. Grouse shooting begins, particularly in Scotland. A tragedy for the environment and for birds.
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A female protester has been assaulted, you might even say attacked, by someone providing security for an outfit called T & S Rabbits. A mass protest for Sunday has been called for. ‘Shut Down T & S Rabbits” will provide more information.
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On Thursday 4th, Manchester HS announced that the CPS had dropped a case against the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt which was videoed hunting a fox on 23/11/21. Whilst disappointing, it does look as though it would have been difficult to get a conviction based on the video even although the fox is clearly observed.
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Keep the Ban, facebook page has an article “what is lamping and is it illegal?“. If you have the time it is a worthwhile read. Click here 
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Has anyone heard of hound trailing??

There is a website called (houndtrailing.org.uk) which explains the sport. The hounds follow a trail as individuals, and not as a pack, and this is a competition between hounds to determine which is the speediest and most successful trail follower. There is no hunting of wildlife, and the trail scent that they follow is a mix of paraffin and aniseed.
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Finally, 4,000 beagles are looking for new homes after one of the biggest ever dog rescue efforts in the US. The dogs were being bred and then sold on to laboratories for drug experiments.

The company has now been shut down because of animal rights violations. The condition of many of the dogs was quite appalling.(Report on BBC News site)

4,000 to re-home. Wow!

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Back in March 22, the East Cornwall Hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to join them at their meet at Jamaica Inn. This caused such consternation amongst locals and anti blood sports individuals, that the Inn decided not to host them again. The Inn has been sold to someone else, and the new owners have said they won’t be having them back. Wise decision! Who’d want to open that can of worms again?
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The South Downs Blood Hounds, a clean boot hunt, will talk to anyone about their legal hunting activities. The master, Jeremy Whaley (a former fox hunter) is very keen to show how open and genuinely transparent they are. Their meets are advertised online and everyone is welcome to go along and watch.
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Thank you for reading.

Wed 27th July 

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) (Caroline Henry), for Nottingham has been convicted of five speeding offences over a period of 12 weeks, been fined £2450 and been given a six month driving ban. She is married to MP Darren Henry,(Conservative).

Our interest in PCCs is due to the fact that some of them were selected by the pro fox hunting lobby group, Vote OK.
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The Northern Counties Mink Hunt took something of a drubbing on Saturday from various of our HS groups. Staffordshire HS particularly give a good write up. The owner of the land upon which they were hunting is a Charles Dent.
He was a director of Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, but by Sunday morning, he had resigned. The Staffordshire HS also suggest ways in which their readership could put pressure on the hunt, which included contacting The Yorkshire Dales River Trust who are responsible for managing the River Nidd which was the Hunt’s target river.
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Crapaud highlighted a post from the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team which generated a lot of comment from other HS groups. The eye catching caption to the picture was, “if you see a fox being hunted please call 999“. We do wonder if they will re-publish that post during the fox hunting season!
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Much to the chagrin of anglers and the NFU, beavers have now been accorded a protected species status which will take effect from the 1st of October.
“Keep the Ban“ had this to say:-
“The government confirmed on 22 July that it has passed an order to list beavers a native species across England. This means the law will provide beavers with a range of protections similar to badgers including penalties for killing, capturing or injuring them. Disturbing or damaging their homes is also illegal. The order achieves this by amending the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Beavers (England) Order will come into effect on 1 October.”
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Both the National Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority have indicated that they will not lift their ban on fox and trail hunting.
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Finally, Hankinson’s Appeal.
The simplistic view that the court found Hankinson not guilty of encouraging others to break the law is quite misleading. In paragraph 9 of the judgement the judges state, “having considered the words that were used we take the view that they were capable of encouraging the commission of illegal hunting“. The judgement appears to hang on the question, “Did the appellant intend to encourage the commission of an offence?” In this regard Hankinson claimed that the laying a trail or several trails was to confuse the Sabs. The judge also considered that Hankinson’s role within the Hunting Office was to ensure compliance with the law*, that he was a person of previously good character, and that the clearly stated purpose of the webinar was to inform and educate attendees as to the law and its compliance. The webinar was attended by in excess of 100 people which included police officers, lawyers and a member of the House of Lords. It would be unlikely that Hankinson would encourage such people to break the law. The judge must have not listened to the bit where one of the participants said “I hope no police are listening.”
For the above reasons the court did not believe that the criminal threshold of proof was reached, and that Hankinson’s intention was to encourage others to break the law.
The appeal against conviction was therefore allowed.
Perhaps the best bit of Mr Hankinson’s baloney is in the sentence, “when laying fake trails he said it was important to give the appearance of legitimacy to the saboteurs in order to confuse them as to which trail the hunt intended to follow“.
In fact, you can’t really blame the judge for not seeing how crass this statement was. Judges are probably not familiar with the fact that Sabs do not run around sniffing the ground looking for a trail, false or otherwise.
And how did Mr Hankinson do with encouraging compliance within the law? Here is a list of the pending court cases, with dates.

Jul/22. South Shropshire Hunt. Daniel Cherriman. Telford MC.
01/08/22. East Essex Hunt. Paul O’Shea. Sentencing
30/08/22. Dunston Harriers. 3 men. Norwich MC.
06/09/22. Wynnstay Hunt. Chris Woodward. Wrexham.
Sept/22. Beaufort Hunt. Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham.
17/10/22. South Dorset Hunt. Mark Pearson. Weymouth MC
15/11/22. Puckeridge Hunt. Arun Squire. Stevenage MC.
16/11/22 Fernie Hunt. William Hansen. Loughborough MC
17/11/22 Belvoir Hunt. John Holliday. Leicester MC.
13/03/23. Quorn Hunt. Chris Mardles. Nottingham CC.

Good job, Mr Hankinson.
————-

Friday 22nd July 2022

There is another court case looming. Three men from the Dunston Harriers have been charged with offences under the Hunting Act. The incident occurred on the 18th January 2022.
They should appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 30th August.
________

The hunt known as the North Norfolk Harriers has folded. This seems to be largely due to the activities of the Norwich HS. (Harrier hunts can go after hare and fox but this hunt seemed mainly to concentrate on hare hunting.) The hunt will now host the Nar Valley Bloodhounds who hunt an human scent.
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There are likely to be some court attendances this week, but not necessarily very much in the way of progress.
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Until recently there was a Herefordshire Hunt and a Clifton-on-Teme Hunt. Now there is a Hereford and Clifton Hunt and where once there were two hunts, now there is just one.
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Most of us know that the Met Police Force has been put into special measures.
What may have slipped your attention is that the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Police have also been placed in special measures. They are accused of being unable to respond to the public, protect vulnerable people, and a failure of strategic planning.
The Force blames Government cuts. The local Sabs ponder if the money spent on attending on Hunt days is money well spent.
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Weymouth Animal Rights group released video footage taken on the 8th of March 2022, of Terrier men from the South Dorset Hunt, first digging out a fox alive, and then rescuing their terrier. The fox is put into a box on the quad, as is the terrier. The video had been passed to the Police. The Police said there was insufficient evidence.
Any ordinary person watching the video might feel otherwise.
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Members of Action Against Foxhunting attended Chard Town Council meeting on 11th July 2022. Chard is the venue for the Cotley Harriers Boxing Day meet. AAF is asking the Town Council to consider their relationship with the hunt, possibly asking them not to meet in the town on Boxing Day. The joint master of the Cotley Hunt was also there. She was very upset at the prospect of losing the Boxing Day Meet venue, and issued an invitation for the councillors to come and see the hunt. Pip (AAF) accepted the invitation. However, at this time, no confirmation has been received from the hunt. The date of the visit is likely to be 4th August.  Pip is ready with key questions and is willing to look at REAL evidence that the hunt is trail hunting. But the evidence has to be convincing, otherwise no one will believe them. The Cotley Hunt is very unpopular in Chard, as AAF’s recent survey shows.
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Mark Hankinson’s appeal against his conviction for inciting criminal activity was successful. On 20 July, in Southwark Crown Court, HHJ G Perrins, James Tyerman JP andAlan Elias JP concluded:

“we cannot be sure to the criminal standard that the appellant intended to encourage the commission of a criminal offence. For those reasons the appeal against conviction is allowed”.
In other words, they could not dismiss the defence. While we don’t think that this decision will make any difference to hunting (they continued to hunt anyway, despite the exposé), it is annoying that the guilty man walked free. Also, the CPS have a lot to answer – why only Hankinson in court? Why not the others too?
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The National Trust have stated that they won’t change their minds about banning “trail” hunting from NT land, despite Hankinson’s successful appeal. They remain banned. We are waiting for other landowners (those that also banned the hunt) to respond.
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Wiltshire Rural Crime team unexpectedly made reference to illegal foxhunting in this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=419356576901230&id=100064806723694
Whatever inspired that? Could it be an acknowledgement of their appalling treatment  of sabs at the end of last season? Shame they couldn’t have made this post when the hunts are actually hunting. It’s out of season, so no one will see the hunts until cub hunting starts in August.
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In May Foxy Blether wrote that a friend of Prince William, namely William Van Cutsem, had been subjected to a police raid on his 4,400 acre Hillborough estate near Sandringham. He had a goshawk caught in a ladder trap which was baited with live pigeons. He was outraged that the police and RSPB had help from the Hunt Investigation Team.
The name William Van Cutsem has reared its head again, and this time in a very damning report in the Guardian newspaper.
A Guardian investigation has revealed that dozens of UK laws stipulate that police are barred from entering any of the Queen’s private estates without her consent to investigate crimes ranging from wildlife offences to environmental pollution .
One of the main incidents reported, involved the shooting of two Raptors, in 2007, whilst Prince Harry and a friend (William van Cutsem) were out supposedly shooting duck. Police were barred entry to make a timely search for evidence.
The Guardian reveals that Sandringham has been the focus of successive police and regulatory investigations.
Most of what the Guardian reports on, occurred up to about 2016, but it would appear that Mr Van Cutsem still believes that he is above the law and should not be subject to investigations about his bad behaviour. I suppose the attitude is, what it is good for Prince Harry should be good for him.
So the Royal estates and the Royal children do not get disciplined for what, to most of us, are quite egregious offences and fail to see that they should have standards that recognise we have laws about pesticides and persecution for a reason.
Their neighbours have the same sense of entitlement.
They (the Royals) not do themselves any favours.
Here is the link to the Guardian article:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/15/sandringham-estate-police-barred-investigating-wildlife-crime

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Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century.
18 months ago a pair of Eurasian beavers were released at Hatchmere, near Delamere Forest, by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The beavers have successfully bred in Cheshire, for the first time in more than 400 years. Let’s hope the hunters manage to leave them alone.
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Thank you for reading.

Latest News March 4th 2023
5.23

Hunt Behaviour

On Saturday (18 Feb), North Staffordshire Hunt riders spilled unexpectedly onto a road a collision occurred between a car and a horse with rider. It would appear that the hunt removed themselves from the scene as quickly as possible leaving a rider lying in the road. The car was quite badly damaged, and the driver was shaken although otherwise “ok”.  We believe that both horse and rider were injured. The police and ambulance were quick to attend. (Staffordshire Hunt Sabs and Manchester Hunt Sabs covered the incident.) This incident is relevant for AAF’s Hunt Road Chaos campaign.
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Previous hunt accidents have also involved children.On 04/04/16, nine year old Bonnie Armitage was fatally injured when she was kicked by another horse whilst out with the Cotswold Hunt.
On 18/11/21, the two year old daughter of the master of the Bedale Hunt, Felicity Francis, died after falling from her pony whilst out with the hunt.
On 26/12/22, a 12 year old girl broke her leg whilst out with the Mendip Farmers Hunt for their Boxing Day meet at Priddy Green.
The hunts don’t seem to care about the risks with their children. Let’s hope the most recent accident puts children off hunting for ever.
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As you know, dogs from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a mine shaft on White Alice Farm, Cornwall, and had to be rescued. It turns out that the hunt did not have permission to be on the farm, so they were trespassing. Trespass is a clear indication of illegal foxhunting – hunts cannot expect us to believe they have laid a trail on someone else’s land.
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Fitzwilliam Hunt supporters attacked the vehicle belonging to Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. An attempt to slash the tyres was made, but the knife was dropped, and windscreen wipers were damaged. Being able to hear the attack, the 999 controller advised the driver to do what was necessary to get out of the situation. Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs Facebook page names those involved.

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You may recall that the Avon Vale Hunt was videoed releasing dug out foxes to their hounds resulting in them being suspended by the British Hound Sports Association (revamped version of the Hunting Office). Drone footage taken by sabs of the Avon Vale Kennels, reveals dead hounds on the concrete floor and in an uncovered skip. Biosecurity appears non-existent. Trading standards has been informed in the past but there has been no improvement. Bath Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the footage.
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Mike Smith, senior master at the Avon Vale has also been permanently excluded by the British Hound Sports Association. He did not feature in the video, but the BHSA has decided he has to go as he was presiding over the illegal and cruel behaviour of the hunt. Of course, we don’t trust the motives of the BHSA as we know that what they are trying to do is preserve their “sport” as opposed to cleaning it up. 

On Saturday 25th Feb, two dogs from the Cheshire Hunt were struck by cars. The police appeared to advise them that they had dogs dangerously out of control and sent them packing (possibly with a dispersal notice). As they hacked back to their meet they took the opportunity to hunt yet another fox which sabs saw to safety.
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On 28/02/23  Three Counties Hunt Sabs reported two slashed  tyres, whilst sabbing the Heythrop Hunt and North Cotswolds Hunt.
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On 28/02/23 sabs from  Manchester and Staffordshire experienced an attack on one of their numbers, perpetrated by the Huntsman of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt. The ‘provocation’ for the attack, if you can call it that, was they had obtained video footage of an injured hound with blood on it. Paul Larby’s assault on the sab and the breaking of a camera was recorded on several sab cameras and an investigation is thought to have been opened.  Staffordshire Police attended, but then the West Mercia Police also arrived.
*******

Police

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmer’s Hunt. This CPW is the direct result of a number of groups’ contributions: North London Hunt Sabs, Suffolk and East Essex Hunt Sabs, East Herts Sabs, Herts Wildlife Monitors, not to mention the members of the public who also provided the background evidence so the police could take action. 

East Essex Hunt supporters were ‘put in their place’ by a rebuke from the police who advised them not to block a public road.
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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs’ report on the Cottesmore Hunt from Saturday has some interesting remarks in it. Police witnessed a fox being chased and sabs “remain hopeful that Leicestershire Police in general will deal with this matter in a firmer manner. They (the hunt) are now so out of control that even when approached by police they just shrug and carry on regardless. They have shown recently they have no respect for animals, (wildlife or their own,) the safety of other people, and no respect for the police.”
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Cumbria Hunt Sabs thanked the police for attending the Blencathra Fox Hounds who met on Sunday the 19th.
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Wiltshire Police have claimed, in a convoluted sort of a way, that it is fine for their officers to be associated with an organisation known for criminal activity. They have more than one officer that goes out hunting and they do not see a conflict of interest, nor do they see that it contradicts the oath they took when they assumed office. These officers, and other senior officers, fail to understand that the public should expect all police officers to be “squeaky clean” at all times, including in their private lives. Cheryl Knight, an officer in the Rural Crime Team, is a hunter and connected with the criminal Avon Vale Hunt.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have organised a petition and a demo asking for this officer to be removed from the Rural Crime Team. The demonstration is planned for the 5th of March outside the Devizes Police Headquarters at 13.00. Here is the petition:

https://chng.it/XJJcWgjsbq
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Wiltshire Police continue to make things worse and worse. Their latest unnecessary FB post told us that they are seeking “independent advice” about how to deal with the proposed demo on 5th March, thereby implying that somehow “sabs” are the most violent sort of people. They appear to be fanning the flames. Is this deliberate? Would they like to see some unrest so that they can justify their biased attitude towards anti-hunting activists?
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Wiltshire Police deserve their own dedicated news bulletin, they feature so often in reports. BBC news reports that a former Police Inspector with the Wiltshire police (Ian Stevenson) has pleaded guilty to possessing extreme images involving bestiality. The force is in Special Measures.
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Cheshire Police seem to be one of the few bright spots in the policing of hunts. After a particularly bad hunting day (Ladies Day, Mon 13th) when the Cheshire Hounds seem to antagonise most of the countryside, by trespassing or badly frightening pregnant ewes, and horses, and cows, and treating farmers and landowners with contempt, Cheshire Police took some positive action. On Saturday (18th) they turned up with the intention of catching the hunts red-handed, or at least imposing some discipline upon them. They had officers with three cars, a drone, and most remarkably, two scrambling bikes which moved across the countryside with speed. The drone may even have recorded an active dig out. We are not privy to what the police gleaned from this operation, but it was undoubtedly a significant event.
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West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that the West Midlands Hunt abandoned their day of hunting after another quad bike was stopped, this time by an unmarked police car. (The police had  also stopped a quad bike on 13/02/23).
*******

Investigations and Prosecutions

The personal CCTV covering a Norfolk couple’s back garden revealed the West Norfolk Fox Hounds at large and out of control. They had killed a fox there and the actual kill is recorded on the video. Norfolk Police have arrested three men. Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report, “We believe the men in custody to be Huntsman Mikey Bell, Whipper-in Adam Egginton, and Hunt Master Andrew Kendall. All three men are also under investigation for assault and robbery on one of our female sabs back in October.”

We now know their bail conditions:-
Not to take part in trail hunting activities.
Not to contact or interfere with witnesses.
Not to be in a public place in charge of a dog not on a lead.
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Norfolk Police booked two hunt supporters as they left the Waveny Hunt. One female was booked because she was using her mobile phone whilst driving. At least the police are now more willing to act against hunts and their lawlessness.
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The Times carried an article on Friday 17/02/23 stating that the Wynnstay Hunt was under investigation for illegal blocking of a badger sett. The headline ran, “Hunt run by friend of King Charles…”. The Times have video of the actual interference with the badger sett and the persons involved.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Hunt Master, George, of the Mendip Farmers Hunt using a whip on a hound.  The RSPCA are now investigating.
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Protect the Wild reports that Ryan Thomas Spence who had been convicted of hare coursing, appealed his sentence, and by so doing had the sentence increased. The sixth month driving ban, which was issued alongside his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and £1000 fine, was increased to 2 years beginning from the date of his appeal.
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Perhaps one of the significant developments that has occurred concerning foxhunting is the fact that the above incident was reported on ITV News. Both the BBC and ITV are more willing to report on foxhunting issues, although the ITV appears to be far ahead of the BBC in its willingness.

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Charles Carter and Guy Loader from the Royal Artillery Hunt were issued with Official Warning in accordance with Salisbury Plain Military Byelaws 1981 Sect 4 para 1&2 for deer chase 22 October 2022. Next time expect prosecution, their solicitor being kept busy.

*******
Mass Sab

On 22/02/23 four of the West Country Hunts had a joint meeting which attracted a mass sab. At least 12 different sab groups were involved. Although this was a joint meet by four hunts, the field only amounted to 30 or so riders. Worse from the hunt’s point of view, there were locals objecting to them

Campaigns

A long-haul Boxing Day campaign by AAF Somerset culminated in a show-down at the full public meeting of Somerset County Council on 22 February. Alyson Rogers, Somerset Coordinator, joined Pip Donovan to speak at the meeting. Alyson’s powerful speech, in which she described how she was intimidated, imprisoned and threatened by followers of the Cotley Hunt during their Boxing Day Meet in Chard was picked up by the local press.
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It turns out that practically every county has a Public Space Protection Order making it an offence for an owner to fail to pick up dog faeces – and nearly every one of them has no exemption for hounds. AAF is expecting a large number of hunts to either be fined for offences, or have to get off their horses and (just like everyone else) deploy a poo bag. For more information, click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

 

Opinion

One of the more egregious statements contained in the review of North Wales policing came from one of their eight officers who gave evidence. He clearly showed his bias towards hunts with the statement that it was normally sabs that initiated violence. How would he know? The police are never there when violence kicks off, and if they were, it probably would not kick off in the first place. In making a statement like that, he chose to be loyal to the hunt and not to his own force, who are trying to improve their practices. That to one side, there is a revealing remark in the North Wales Hunt Sabs report on the Flint And Denbigh Hunt (18th Feb). “One supporter then walked over to the vehicle and struck the sab in the face through the open window. Fortunately for the attacker this is just the type of behaviour that the North Wales police tolerate… well from the hunt anyway“.  There has to be a significant change in attitude from the police in North Wales if they want to improve their relationship with animal welfare activists.
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It might be worth reminding ourselves how the Norfolk Police were just a year ago.

Norfolk/Suffolk HS report on the West Norfolk Fox Hounds for 07/02/22:

“… A further three 999 calls were made, each time the call handler told the sab that they were trying to get to them but each time no one came.“

Further down the same report, “A further 999 call was made but this time the Sab was treated like a nuisance, told that the police had already been and that this incident had been dealt with and then hung up on the desperate Sab as the hounds continued to chase a fox in front of her.“

“At approximately 4 pm the hunt headed in the direction of the meet just as a police car appeared at the meet also. Police appeared to have a nice friendly chat with the hunters who had by now enjoyed a full five hours of hunting and chasing Mammals with hounds, contrary to the hunting act.”

This following link to an article on the Avon Vale Hunt and Wiltshire Police is an eye opener.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/good-riddance-to-the-avon-vale-hunt/?fbclid=IwAR0sFPiSifTljPUrLmacnBf11faVV0AzF1rAJFq776Sw-t0mYi0vspqBZ_E&h=AT03AQjD6mNi4x2XfN9jfs_rsT1Lzj4HF_FP73v1vhtNlDhuFE8vyRpSEw6Pw8YadPrWy9AZLKznNIFZlNQRthvltx-ty1UBjsdQDduXbJKJqldh8BpBEEjL8_gClXpz5k0neJRYeL1MG6o&s=1

 

Latest News 18th Feb 2023
4.23

Investigations & prosecutions

On Wed 8^th Feb, ITV released footage of the Avon Vale Hunt (AVH) digging out two foxes and releasing them in front of hounds. (This is the same hunt that attacked a sab last March causing a bleed on the brain.) On Friday, three members of the hunt were arrested. Yesterday, Tuesday 14/02/23, a further two people (a man and a woman) both aged 25, were arrested and subsequently released pending further investigation.
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Myles O’Connor of the Scottish Buccleuch Hunt was due in court on 14/02/23 due to illegal hunting. We all hope the hunt will not survive the change in Scottish law.
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Cottesmore huntsman, Sam Jones, was videoed jumping a gateway and landing on a sab. He has now been arrested by Leicestershire Police. (The shocking video can be seen on the Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs Facebook page as well as the BBC news website.)
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Georgina Price of the Royal Artillery Hunt has accepted a police caution for having used her horse in an attempt to ride down two Sabs. This is the hunt that uses MOD land on Salisbury Plain and the one that Ben Wallace MP supports. The offence occurred on 05/11/22.  Surrey Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the video.
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A hunt supporter from the Beaufort Hunt was fined by Gloucester Police for “disorder” on 21st November 2022. He drove erratically and threatened a sab. Police concluded the investigation and informed sabs on 14th Feb 2023.
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Police

Warwickshire Police who issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Public Control Notice (PCN), pulled over another of the hunt’s quads again this week. The landowning rider of the quad had two terrier dogs with him.
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Chief Superintendent Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Force is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for hunting. In an article in The Times on 13th Feb, he publicly praised Wiltshire Hunt Sabs for the work they’ve been doing and for helping to deal with the Avon Vale Hunt and its dig out of foxes to be released to hounds. Chief Superintendent Longman wants: “police forces to work with the “volunteers” who monitor hunts so they [the volunteers] could learn how to provide the kind of evidence, such as unedited and time-stamped footage, that could lead to successful prosecutions.” Mr Longman also revealed there had been a sea change in the way that police understand hunting across England and Wales, (particularly as a result of the successful prosecution of Mark Hankinson). We also learned that ”Two police forces in England and Wales are now treating hunts operating in their areas as Organised Crime Groups.“  The change is due, in part to a number of high-ranking police officers having the courage to challenge the general police ethos – that hunts tell the truth and animal welfare volunteers are just trouble makers.
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Cast your mind back to Lacock on Boxing Day 2021. Laura Hughes, a serving Wiltshire Police Officer and member of the Avon Vale Hunt, was one of three officers who failed to keep the peace at the demonstration. Officer Hughes made things a great deal worse by yelling in the face of protesters and, later on, Wiltshire Police denied that her presence was inflammatory. Are Wiltshire Police planning on rethinking that conclusion, now we all know that AVH have been caught hunting illegally?
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Nottinghamshire Hunt Sabs have a special comment in their report from 02/02/23 on their sab of the Burton Hunt. “Special mention to the truly (expletive deleted) useless pair from Lincolnshire Police who timed their arrival perfectly to miss all the illegal hunting and still give sabs a hard time.” There is a lot of bitterness towards the police this year. Is this because some forces are changing their attitude towards illegal hunting and sab groups feel that all forces should be changing?
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Hunts are finding that not all police can be relied on to dance to the hunt’s tune. East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt called the police because they were being followed from the kennels and were claiming harassment. When the police arrived, the sabs pointed out that the brake lights on the hound trailer were not working and the numberplate on the trailer did not match the towing vehicle. The police ignored the harassment complaint, but advised the driver of the hound van that he was not legal to continue. A little later,  hounds from this hunt were seen chasing a fox across Barkway Golf Course. The huntsman was nowhere in sight, so sabs tried to round them up in case they were hit by a golf ball.  
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South Coast Hunt Sabs report that the Sussex Police delayed them while they did a vehicle check. Since sab vehicles are regularly targeted by the police the vehicles are always completely above board. If police were also seen to check hunt vehicles, this would not be such a bone of contention – but it is rare for any sab group to report this happening.
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After a generally held view that the Cheshire police were improving, last Saturday a kennel watcher was delayed by a Police Sergeant at the entrance to the Cheshire Forest Hunt kennels and when questioned about the timing of his tactics, he did not deny that it was intended to let the hunt out. As the public are becoming more aware of the criminality of hunts particularly in the last few weeks, it might be advisable for the police to make sure they have a consistent policy that is defendable. Appearing to help criminality is unacceptable.

*******

Hunt behaviour

The Hunting Office (HO) now renamed the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is thought to have been in possession of the AVH  footage for several weeks and it is reported that the event occurred on 20/12/22. The BHSA advised hunts not to take terriers out this weekend. This advice was widely ignored by hunts. The BHSA, in a desire to appear authoritative and in control dismissed the AVH from their organisation. They feigned shock at the appalling conduct of the hunt but have taken no action against Mr Ollie Finnegan who has very recently pleaded guilty to illegal foxhunting and is now with the Cheshire Hounds.
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Last week we heard about the demise of the Fife Fox Hounds. This week we can report that there is an advertisement inviting a professional or amateur to apply for the role of Huntsman to the Fife Bloodhounds. It looks as though Fife is to get a new bloodhound pack.
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Rumour Control has it that the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt will fold at the end of this season. It has yet to be confirmed.
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The Essex Farmers Hunt, tried to use speed to get away from the North London Sabs. The sabs described it saying,  “it was more like sabotaging a steeple chase!” This hunt was minus its terrier men – were they (unlike many other hunts) actually doing what their governing body advised and not engaging in terrier work?

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Bristol Hunt Sabs report that the Berkeley Hunt hunted through a deer park on Saturday 11^th Feb, where all dogs are supposed to be on leads.

At the end of the hunting day on 1st Feb, the Huntsman from the Weston and Banwell Hunt reversed his hound trailer into the sab vehicle damaging the bumper. He refused to provide insurance details and the dash cam footage has been forwarded to the police.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs had tyres slashed while out with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds on the 11/02/23. They had already seen death of a hunted fox. Levels of violence are expected to increase in Scotland for the last few weeks of this season, as the change in the law might well finish off some of the Scottish hunts. Since police often say they are not there to stop hunting but to make sure there is no breach of the peace, we hope the Scottish Police are sufficiently on the ball to recognise that violence perpetrated towards sabs is likely to be at an all-time high. It is thought their huntsman, Fraser Campbell is going down to Cheshire for next season.
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On 1st February, Three Counties Hunt Sabs report on the Worcestershire Hunt tells us that a sab ”was held up looking after a disabled gentleman at the church who said he had been assaulted by the terriermen, who had punched him to the floor and stolen his walking stick. Our sab called West Mercia Police and paramedics, and he was taken to hospital with a really swollen face to be checked over from potential fractures to his neck, eye socket, cheek, jaw, and probably other parts of his body.”
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On 7^th Feb, hounds from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a disused mine shaft near Porkellis, Cornwall, whilst the hunt was out hunting foxes in the area. It’s believed three hounds fell in, but sabs noted that the hunt (who continued their activities despite the accident) had far fewer hounds than usual, so they suspected the number of hounds in the mine was greater than they made out. The hounds were all rescued overnight.
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On 4th February, The Bicester Hunt invaded an alpaca farm and terrified pregnant females.  The owner was furious and expected an apology from the hunt. But as none was forthcoming, he phoned the hunt master and interrupted his dinner to ask what exactly he and his hounds were playing at trespassing on his land.

*******

Public Outrage

Is the hunts’ grip on the countryside is slipping? Last Monday (13th) the sabs in Cheshire encountered a farmer who was so angry with the Cheshire Hunt that he seized his shotgun and discharged two shots into the air to warn the hunt and hounds to get off his land. This was in addition to a number of furious sheep farmers, a horse-owner trying to ensure the pack didn’t encroach on their farm and another farmer who was quietly helpful. The Countryside Alliance claims to represent all rural people. However, it only represents those who are pro-foxhunting. It does not represent rural people who object to fox hunting, and these people are in the majority, as indicated by AAF’s  Rural Survey from 2022.
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Mike Hill

This week saw the 32nd anniversary of the death of Mike Hill. He died under the back wheels of a trailer driven by a hunt member who was careering wildly down the road trying to throw the sabs out of the trailer. The police weren’t interested and the driver is still engaged in hunting activities.
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Chief Vet is a hunter

Liz Gorse is the Chief Vet for the British Hounds Sports Association and she hunts with the Cheshire Forest. In 2020 her son was convicted and was “banned from caring, breeding and farming animals for the next 10 years“. 8 Cows, 3 calves and 2 sheep were found dead and decomposing on the farm. Liz Gorse the owner of the farm.

actually, People don’t hate foxes

Students from the Royal Agricultural University seriously misjudged the opinion of the majority when they thought it would be a good idea to strap a dead fox to the roof of their car for a charity rally. Like those who fox hunt, they believe that foxes deserve to be treated cruelly and justify it by calling them “pests”. However, the delusional students failed to anticipate the public backlash. They are now waiting for disciplinary action by the University.   

Campaigns

AAF have launched two new “Catch them at it and Report it” campaigns – Hound Faeces and Road Chaos. In public areas, hunts should pick up after their hounds, but generally, they don’t bother. This includes grass verges on country lanes. If they do not – and they are reported – they should be fined.

Also, hunts cannot take risks with their own safety or the safety of others on  roads.  Again, report them. All information you need can be found on these links:

Hunt Road Chaos Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-reporting-it-to-the-health-and-safety-executive/

Hound Faeces Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

Landowners

Do you know of a landowner who allows hunting on their land? If the prosecution of the land-owning Drewetts is successful, all landowners should think twice before allowing the hunt on their land. Download this letter, print it and send it to the landowners.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Letter-to-Landowner-Oct-22.pdf

 

 

Latest News 4th Feb 2023
3.23

BAD NEWS FOR HUNTS

The Airedale Beagles pack has folded. They had been hunting hares since 1891 and this was one of the oldest beagle packs in the country.
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Fife Fox Hounds Hunt has come to an end. This was a 200 year old hunt, finished (we believe) because of the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
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On 24/01/23, the Scottish Government voted to pass the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It doesn’t look water tight, but nonetheless it is seen as a big improvement. Trail hunting is included in the ban. Banning trail hunting in Scotland is a pre-emptive move. The new bill has removed the Scottish hunts’ means of getting around the existing Scottish legislation, which was different from the English legislation.  The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 allows hunts to use a whole pack of dogs to “flush a fox to guns”, meaning the hunts could effectively hunt as they always had. On the other hand, English law limits the number of dogs used to “flush a fox” to two, meaning the hunts had to find another “legal” way of continuing to hunt with a full pack – hence the invention of “trail hunting” which (they claimed) only mimicked real hunting. Fully aware that trail hunting is a smokescreen for fox hunting, the Scottish Government has wisely prevented it from starting.

*******

INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Further details have emerged about the police raid on 18/01/23. Six men were  arrested and 22 dogs seized in a police operation involving Kent, Norfolk, Sussex, and Thames Valley police, and the RSPCA.  The Guardian reports, “it is understood that they were suspected of acting as terrier men, preventing foxes going to ground so the mammals can be caught by dogs.” Evidence from their phones could be crucial.
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Mark Harris, terrier man for the Spooners and West Dartford Hunt, has been found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992). He caused a terrier to enter a protected sett. He said he was instructed to flush and kill the fox by the huntsman Guy Morlock. Mr Harris was ordered to pay a fine of £1000, a victim surcharge of £100 and Crown costs of £900.
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A few weeks ago, the CPS dropped a case against a hunt supporter for attacking a sab, causing a brain bleed. The victim has asked the CPS for a review and this has been accepted.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

North London Hunt Sabs Facebook page show a very brief video of the quad bike assault on their sab. The hunt involved is the East Essex Hunt. The date of the incident was 14/01/23. Police are taking the incident very seriously and are investigating.
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On Sunday 29^th January, Weymouth Animal Rights and AAF met in Milborne Saint Andrew to protest outside the South Dorset Hunt’s Point to Point event. After the hound display, protesters noticed that one dog had been left behind and was running about alone. Hunt staff took no action. The frightened dog struggled through a hedge and out into the road, running in front of cars, queueing to enter the event. While none of those attending the event showed any concern, protesters immediately went to help the dog. Eventually, a member of the hunt came out and approached the dog, who cowered when he grabbed her.
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The Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt turned up at Bellever Forestry Commission car park, probably hoping to trespass on FC land, from which they are banned. However, they found sabs (Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs) already there, so they moved on.

*******

POLICE

North Wales Police accepted assurances from the Flint and Denbigh that they were not going out hunting on 21/01/23, but once they thought the coast was clear the F and D went out hunting in the afternoon. The sabs were on to it very quickly, not so the police.
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On Saturday (28/01/23) the Wynnstay pursued a fox. The Cheshire Monitors hit report states, “… but we were very grateful to locals for joining in to stop them and the police officers standing guard over a fox they’d seen running for its life!”
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Cheshire monitors report for the Wynnstay Hunt on the 29th of January includes the paragraph, “the police that attended all day were good this week and we were really pleased with their input. It’s a shame it can’t always be like that.“
*******

sabs

On Saturday 21/01/23 there was a “mass sab” of the South Dorset Hunt, with perhaps as many as 18 different  groups being involved. The mass sab was to indicate support for the local groups who had had a lone monitor beaten with metal bar.  During the day, another sab was run down by a terrier man on a quad. Sabs have also endured violence and intimidation and had 17-19 tyres slashed in one short period. Dorset Police have a sergeant that goes fox hunting.
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The Severn Vale Beagles was successfully sabbed by the Severn Vale Hunt Sabs. All the beagle packs are vulnerable to sabbing, and this one, too, is feeling pressure. Beagle packs hunt hares and the hunt are on foot.
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The independent review of the North Wales Constabulary policing of  hunts was published on 12/01/23. The Countryside Alliance then published a number of articles focusing on  parts of the report that appeared to discredit saboteurs. However, Protect the Wild has also reviewed the report and their conclusion is the police should just do their job properly.
*******

CAMPAIGNS

AAF (Action Against Foxhunting) have examined 2022 Boxing Day and New Year’s Day town meets and catalogued the results. Given the number of hunts involved this was a mammoth task. They also offer to assist anyone who wants to see their local hunt ousted from their town. They have developed expertise which they are happy to share. The link lets you view their opus, and is an easy read summary.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meet-2022-roundup/
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AAF is also stepping up their campaign to challenge the hunts abuse of roads, where they are always causing obstructions and chaos. Further advice can be found here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-and-healthsafety/

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

To see all previous issues, click here: https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/headlines/

 

Latest news 20th January 23

2/23

Prosecutions

Gamekeeper Paul Scott Allen admitted guilt in Weymouth Magistrates Court. Sentencing is due on 16/02/23. The offences occurred over a period of time. Allen pleaded guilty to seven charges – two of possession of six dead buzzards, and the remains of three more; three charges of keeping banned pesticides and two charges of failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and firearms certificates. 
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On 06/01/23, the trial of Shaun Parish, 33, and Jacob Whalley, 30, of Milton Park in Peterborough was postponed as a witness was unable to attend. It will take place on May 11 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. The men, from the Fitzwilliam Hunt are charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs on March 5^th last year.
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Hartley Crouch, Whipper-in for the Pytchley Hunt, has been successfully prosecuted by Northamptonshire Police. He stole a pet sheep, killed it, skinned it, and fed it to the hounds. The charge was theft. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £775 in costs £150 in compensation and a surcharge of £22.
Late news: Mr Crouch was sacked by the Pytchley and then was going to go to the Beauvoir Hunt. They dropped him, but he is now a whipper-in with the Cottesmore Hunt.
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Andrew Pope, a long time follower of the Weston & Banwell Hunt, admitted guilt to the police and was given a conditional caution. On 21 Dec 21, he tailgated a sab vehicle, and used a thick heavy stick to hit the vehicle windows. The windows stayed intact, but Pope forced his way into the back of the vehicle and started to attack the sabs with the stick. One sab from WAR sustained heavy bruising to their knee and side of their body. This aggressive outburst was witnessed by Pope’s young child. Pope agreed to write a letter of apology to the injured sab. If he repeats this behaviour, he will go straight to court.

******

Corruption

After Ben Wallace MP and Minister of Defence, decided to terminate the arrangement allowing the League Against Cruel Sports to monitor the Royal Artillery Hunt on Salisbury Plain, the Quorn took it upon themselves to hunt on a military base. The land in question is at the Defence Animal Training Centre in Melton Mowbray. Objections to the hunts’ use of MOD land are ongoing, but those who a manage the land (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) refuse to make any changes.

********

Police

On 18/01/23, together with the RSPCA, police raided the home of a terrier man from the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The hunt killed a fox on Saturday 14^th Jan, and assaulted sabs.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Eggesford Hunt making a kill on New Year’s Day. Devonshire police did attend the meet, but they didn’t stay to watch any of the actual hunting. In contrast, on 04/01/23 Cheshire police officers left their cars and proceeded on foot across fields in pursuit of the Cheshire Hounds.
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In September last year, Leicestershire Police had a zoom meeting where various anti hunt persons  (including AAF) were invited to attend. The two officers representing Leicestershire Police were genuine and they want to work more closely with anti-hunting groups. However, Northants Hunt Sabs report that on 7^th January while sabbing the Cottesmore Hunt, the sab vehicle was delayed by an Leicestershire police officer who insisted on checking Insurance validation and driver details.

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On 08/01/23, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report for that Wiltshire Police were “hobnobbing” with a shooting party  but performed no vehicle checks. However the numberplate WV** AFY was out with the shoot and its MOT expired 22/12/22. 
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On 10/01/23, Will Goffe from the Warwickshire Hunt, (the hunt with the Community Protection Notice), spent 30 minutes hiding in a quarry with the hounds whilst Warwickshire Police were in the vicinity.
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On 07/01/23, Sheffield Hunt Sabs posted a video of sabs confronting the man with a knife who had just slashed their tyres. The attacker was arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, something that probably would not have occurred without the temerity and presence of mind of the Sheffield Sabs.
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An independent review of the policing of hunts in North Wales has been published. It was commissioned by the PCC for North Wales Police and it is probably most intended for his reading although no doubt others will be pouring over it.
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On 30/09/22, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull’s car was surrounded by aggressive men and one man attempted to gain entry. He damaged the vehicle while making threats of violence. The group provided statements and video evidence to the police. Part of the police response reads, “after reviewing all the evidence my sergeant has made the decision to take no further action regarding this incident due to evidential reasons.” Previously, Wiltshire Police refused to take action against the hunt member who threw a sab into a ditch resulting in a bleed on the brain.
*******

Hunt Behaviour and violence

On 14/01/23, West Kent Hunt Hunt Sabs filmed Matthew Vater, the huntsman with the East Kent Hunt with West Street, repeatedly riding at a sab. He later knocked one female sab into the air with his horse. They also killed a fox in front of sabs.
_______

On 07/02/1/23 female members of Cumbria Hunt Sabs were threatened and then attacked by members of North Cumberland Foxhounds.
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On 14/01/23, Cheshire Hounds held a three way joint meet with the Tynedale Hunt and the North Staffordshire Hunt. A hunt member threatened to break both the arms of a sab and also those of an independent monitor. The threat is recorded and the police have the information.
______

The Wynnstay Hunt made it into the national press with the Mirror showing the video clip of the huntsman charging his horse at the Cheshire monitor’s runner and half screaming “I’ll kill you.” The incident happened on 7^th January.

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On 07/01/23, Cheshire Against Bloodsports report that Cheshire Hounds appeared to cause the death of a pregnant ewe. They are very complementary about the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, who actually took details of the huntsman from the huntsman.
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On 14/01/23, another sheep died after the Grafton Hunt went through a field full of pregnant ewes. The farmer said “The sheep were now mixed with a neighbour’s flock and one was dead in the river”. Police are investigating.
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On 14/01/23,, the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hunted on MOD land.  A local resident reported the killing of a fox but the hunt have denied it.

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On 10/01/23, Sheffield Sabs were again attacked, and the video evidence is extensive. The attacker continued whilst being filmed by various cameras. At that same meet of the Grove and Rufford, hounds trespassed and ran along an active railway line not long before a train passed. Again there is video evidence of the trespass.

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On 14/01/23, West Sussex Hunt Sabs had a rough time. The vehicle was blocked by a dairy stockman and then driven into from the side by a woman from the farm, using a low loader – a bailer with forks attached. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. The report does not say how well covered this incident is with video but the police appear to have been informed.

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The South Dorset Hunt are suspected of a number of violent and unpleasant incidents. On 14/01/23, a member of Weymouth Animal Rights found two dead foxes in her back garden. Both animals had met violent deaths. On the same day, a monitor watching the South Dorset Hunt was hit in the back by a projectile – possibly a ball bearing fired from a catapult. The monitor was seriously bruised. Police were called and spoke to convicted hunt master, Mark Pearson. A police firearms team arrived. WAR report that “unbelievably they (the police) did not search the suspects or even pull them over”.
Additionally, North Dorset Hunt Sabs had another vehicle tyre incident. The report reads “after the hunt had finished a sab was driven to collect her car and on arrival was informed by a resident that a masked, hooded quad person had started letting down the tyres. He was prevented from completing the task when a police officer appeared who was about to leave for duty.
A couple of weeks ago, the South Dorset Hunt were suspected of slashing of 17-19 tyres belonging to animal welfare persons. They are also suspected of assaulting a monitor with a metal bar.
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On 14/01/23, a Land Rover from the Worcester Hunt drove at foot sabs from the Herefordshire Hunt Sabs. The sab vehicle was also attacked.
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On 14/01/23, The Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed terrier men netting the exit of an artificial earth and preparing to put a terrier down another entrance. The sab group was  pleased with a police response, saying: “Gloucestershire Police attended promptly, efficiently, and the matter is being dealt with.”
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On 14/01/23, Mendip Farmers Hunt hunted through Chew Valley Animal Park. The owner described how hounds were in cry and jumping into animal pens with terrified goats and camels and traumatising other resident animals. There is CCTV evidence of the trespass. The Mendip Farmers Hunt continued, trespassing on more private land upsetting the landowners horses.

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Other News

On 14/01/23, West Cornwall Hunt Sabs found something else to do after turning up at the Western Hunt meet and finding nothing going on. They tell us: “We spotted this little dude (a bird) sat in the middle of the road about to get squished! He was all hunched and soaked in a puddle. Never flinched when we scooped him up. We have a fantastic bird rehabber on the team. Luckily, it looks like he had just got a bit cold and wet. With a check over and dried off under a heat lamp he was fit to fly free again.”

 

Check that you’ve signed this petition:
https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Latest News  7 January 2023

1/23

Coming Soon

“Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Meets” – Special edition of Latest News  coming soon. If you went to a meet, please tell AAF about it here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/data-collection-boxing-day-2022-and-new-years-day-meets-2023/

 

POLICE

The Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. In May, they issued the Hunt with a warning notice about the antisocial use of the country road network but the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN. The Police statement reads:- “The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point.Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“

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This is a sentence from the East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs: –

“Every week they kill foxes, block us in, break the law, but when we call the police they very rarely attend, when the hunts call them full of lies and fabricated stories they turn up then harass.”

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The West Kent Hunt Sabs also understand about police harassment. On 17th December, police arrested a sab for standing outside the kennels and his offence was… harassment!

(The video of the incident leading to the arrest shows that the sab was arguing with the police, and this was too much for them to bear and so he was arrested for whatever came into their mind. In this case harassment.) Kent Police are being advised by an ex huntsman whose name is Mike Bax. There is now a petition asking for the removal of Mike Bax as an advisor to the Kent police. Additionally, the Kent Police Officer, Bethan Dumbarton-Scott, is in a relationship with the East Kent huntsman Matthew Vater.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-mike-bax-as-key-advisor-to-kent-police-on-rural-crime

Please sign it.

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Cast your mind back to 2016, and you might remember PC Claire Ford said she was off-duty but nonetheless took it upon herself to assist the Cheshire Hounds by removing sabs from the area they were hunting. She was driving around on a quad at the time.The police review said that she was preventing a breach of the peace. The police investigation whitewashed her offences but she was moved to routine policing in Congleton. To the best of our knowledge she did not go out again, supporting the hunt. PC Claire Ford (now, Claire Roberts) has now, not only been dismissed from the Cheshire Police Force but has incurred a suspended prison sentence (8 months suspended for 18 months), 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. She imparted information gleaned through the police to a private individual. The conduct was detected by Staffordshire Police, and Cheshire police did an audit of her use of the police computers. There are elements of the police force that would like to work closer with sabs, but the sabs will not work with them, they are not trusted. This case highlights how untrustworthy some police can be. You wouldn’t even need access to the police computers if you are a hunt sympathiser and in the police force. You could form your own WhatsApp group (like the Charing Cross police) and information can flow freely but undetected. And yet police forces throughout the country continue to accept police officers within their ranks who are clearly involved with hunts.

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Wiltshire Police learned from last year’s riot at the Avon Vale Hunt’s Boxing Day Meet in Lacock. Last year, an officer who rides with the hunt attended the meet, violence erupted and several hunt supporters were prosecuted and convicted. This year, officers were asked to step out if they had any association with a hunt. Police also booked some hunt supporters for illegal parking. If police really do want to improve relations with hunt sabs and monitors, they should follow Wiltshire’s lead, and at the very least, ask officers if they are associated with the hunt in any way before allowing them to attend calls relating to hunting activity.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 22/12/22 the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt were hosted at the Horsehill Farm Livery, the running of which is assisted by a serving Dorset police officer. The parents of the officer go out with the hunt. On 22 November, The BSV were videoed encouraging hounds to chase a fox out of its hiding place in a hollow tree. The video very clearly shows illegal hunting. However, to date, no Dorset officer has been assigned this case to investigate. We don’t believe this is a coincidence.

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North London Hunt Sabs report that last February the Puckeridge Hunt were able to co-opt the police force to the hunt’s benefit. Since then, the sabs have engaged with the Hertfordshire Police who have had some relevant training arranged and provided by the League Against Cruel Sports. This year the Puckeridge Hunt was not able to co-opt the police as their private security.
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On 29/12/22 supporters from The South Dorset Hunt got a bit uppity and drove dangerously at the sab Landy. The police were called. Two cars turned up within minutes. Dash cam footage is being forwarded to the police. The police, having been requested, remained for the rest of the day.
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The Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs page report for the 31/12/22 meet states,  “the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt were yesterday challenged by police officers from Essex Police Rural Engagement  Team. Weapons and phones were seized after a member of the public… was assaulted…by” members of the hunt.  If the Essex Police follow through with their investigations they will be held in high regard by much of the animal welfare community.

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Hunt Behaviour and Violence

Tue 19/12/22 –  Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) report that two supporters of the South Dorset Hunt attacked a hunt monitor with a metal bar. He had serious head injuries as well as injuries to his hands and body and he was robbed of his camera. Their Huntsman, Mark Pearson was found guilty of fox hunting on 19/10/22. The victim – a well-known, longstanding, deeply-respected monitor, received immense support from the rest of the Dorset anti-blood sports community, not to mention four very nice bottles of red wine from AAF.  Will Dorset Police take action?  (Last March the Wiltshire police had video evidence relating to an attack on a sab, which left him in a ditch with a bleed on the brain. After a delay of over six months the Wiltshire police then dropped the case.)-On Boxing Day, supporters from the same hunt (South Dorset) slashed 19 tyres on WAR’s vehicles. The hunt PR system got into action as by the following morning (27th Dec) the front page of the Telegraph had an anodyne 2 column inches (and further coverage about hunts on Page 6) asking members not to engage with sabs. The DT deprived their readership of information indicating how extensive and pre planned this vandalism was. Of the 19 tyres slashed, four occurred as the hunt set out from the meet, with non-hunt participants having their car surrounded and all four tyres slashed. This triggered a response from the Police Armed Response Unit as it involved knife crime. (Don’t all tyre slashing events involve knife crime)? Weymouth Animal Rights and North Dorset Hunt Sabs both got their vehicles retyred in record time and were on the scene for sabbing duties by 12 noon, much to the hunt’s chagrin, as they believed they had neutralised the sabs for their day’s hunt.

(Weymouth Animal Rights Facebook page gives a fuller account.)
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Two more tyres slashed courtesy of Grove and Rufford, and one courtesy of the Isle of Wight Hunt.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 21/12/22 they were escorting the Western and Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt back to their kennels when there was an attack on the sab vehicle. The assailant had swerved in front of them forcing them to stop, grabbed a hefty walking stick and then proceeded to attack the vehicle, open the back door and apparently attack the sabs as well. They have clear video footage of the incident which is being submitted to the police, who incidentally were in attendance very quickly.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs report the Boxing Day Meet of the Eggesford Hunt resulted in two violent events. The Huntsman Jason Marles struck a sab on the head with the handle of his riding crop. A supporter rammed a sab with a quad causing a leg injury.
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Sabs from various groups sabbed the Wynnstay and Cheshire Hounds this week. A terrier quad tried to reverse into a sab and then drove forward deliberately striking a sab on the arm. Police were called and did respond.
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The East Yorkshire Coast Sabs caught on camera a head-butting assault on one of their sabs. They will pass it to the police but are not confident of any action or reaction from them.
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The Warwickshire Hunt, the hunt with the Public Community Notice (CPN) was out on the 28th. Their conduct was clearly modified by the presence of Warwickshire Rural Police and they had to abandon the chase of a fox. The hunt still managed to get themselves filmed causing traffic disruption on the A425, which is very unwise. It would appear that 2 police forces showed a presence as the Northants police also turned up, but their objective seemed to be to have been to put pressure on the sabs, which failed miserably, and might even cause a certain amount of conflict between forces. Let’s hope so. On the 29th the hunt was out again and Will Goffe was asked if he had notified the police specifically of times they were crossing roads (in compliance with the CPN)… because the sabs had (noted it). 

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Mass Sabbing

On 2 Jan, Surrey Hunt sabs were joined by a number of other groups – South Coast, Brighton, Reading, Kingston, some Irish sabs from Connacht & Leinster and Surrey Hunt Monitors – to spoil the Surrey Union’s day. The hunt met next to Hankley Common – MOD land. They packed up by 2pm. Some locals (with children) thanked the sabs for being there and we have it on good authority that the children firmly believe that sabs are heroes (we agree).
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Corruption

Ben Wallace MP, ex Sandhurst, and Minister for Defence has suspended a memorandum of understanding with the League against Cruel Sports (LACS) whereby the MOD would inform LACS of where the hunt would take place so they could monitor the hunt for legal activity. The outcome of that is, of course, to help a hunt, particularly the Royal Artillery Hunt. It also openly indicates that the party of Law and Order thinks that Law and Order should not inhibit the hunt from their illegal activity. The HSA has released a censored email showing the frustration of MOD staff in dealing with the RA Hunt stating that any other organisation behaving the way the hunt behaved, would be banned from MOD land ( notably Salisbury Plain). The email also showed that the hunt were booking to hunt on one part of the Plain, while actually intending to hunt in a different area. The arrangement with LACS was mentioned and hey presto, it was AFTER this that Mr Wallace decided to end it, citing bad behaviour by LACS!

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Investigations, prosecutions and convictions

Thu 22/12/22 West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that Gavin Field, a core member of the Warwickshire Hunt ,accepted a caution under section 4A of the Public Order Act for causing fear, alarm or distress after he was filmed stealing the keys from a sab vehicle and running off with them. He then threw them over the hedge shouting “here’s your f***g keys“.
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The Essex and Suffolk Hunt were caught red-handed digging out a fox. On Boxing Day, while their Master was making the oddest of speeches at their meet, Suffolk Against Foxhunting slipped away and found terrier men  loitering around a badger set, and while they were asking them what they thought they were playing at, a beautiful fox popped out of the hole. Police are investigating.

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Struggling Hunts

East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt will amalgamate with the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt next year.

The Cheshire Monitors’ take on the Wynnstay Hunt makes interesting reading. They really do feel the hunt is under pressure in every way… a huntsman having to lie under oath over and over again, locals standing up against the hunt and feeding information back to the monitors, money troubles, and strife within their own camp.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any inaccuracies, or would like to give feedback, please either leave a comment or email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

 

Latest News 17 December 2022

Hunt Behaviour

Many hunts decided not to go out this week because of the very cold weather. This gave sabs, monitors and wildlife a bit of a break. The Wynnstay ventured out on foot but when the huntsman realised he had sabs present, he returned to base.
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The Warwickshire Hunt Sabs provided film footage taken on the 22nd October of the Warwickshire Hunt verbally abusing a sab and using the term “Fatty” 28 times. The Independent newspaper covered the story and shows the footage on its 30/11/22 online edition. Now that’s it is in the public domain, I doubt if the huntsman feels quite as smug as he felt when he was taunting the sab.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs have a report of an ordeal they had with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox Hounds, who were trying to kill a fox that had gone to ground. The violence against the one or two female sabs is appalling. It will be interesting to see if the police take any action on this because it is one of the worst examples of hunt violence that I have come across.
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The Wynnstay are advertising for a new huntsman. Chris Woodward (the defendant in the case which was dropped – see below) is leaving. North Wales Hunt Sabs also report that some of the masters of that hunt are leaving and maybe the whipper-in too. There may be some dissent within their ranks.
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The day after Mr Finnegan of the Cheshire Hounds was convicted of foxhunting (Tue 6/12/22) he was again out hunting. During the course of that day his terrierman assaulted sabs. Two members of North Wales Hunt Sabs were run in to by the quad. When Mr Finnegan committed the  offence to which he admitted guilt, he was enjoying a joint meeting with the Ledbury Hunt. Despite this, Herefordshire Council have granted permission for the Ledbury Hunt to hold their Boxing Day meet in Ledbury town centre. It seems criminality is not an obstacle to self promotion or council endorsement. Ledbury Hunt have actually claimed that they know nothing at all of the conviction.
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North Dorset Hunt Sabs also a report a serious assault of a lone female sab, on 5^th December 2022.
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On 10^th December, Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt drove his car at a monitor, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. While his victim was on the ground, Carter took his camera. It was later found, smashed. A serious altercation then occurred between the monitors and the hunt. Police were called, but as this was Wiltshire, no action was taken. Carter (who has had TWO cases of illegal foxhunting dropped by the CPS, one due to a procedural error) is the “competent person” who wrote the risk assessment for the hunt.

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Court

On 11/12/22 Cheshire monitors released the footage which the CPS considered was insufficient evidence to pursue a case of foxhunting against Chris Woodward of the Wynnstay Hunt. In court the hunt members attempted to intimidate the witness who was willing to stand and give evidence. Another witness would not give evidence for fear of reprisals.
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6/12/22, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court: Ollie Finnegan now Huntsman with the Cheshire Hounds, has pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7/1/22, whilst he was the Huntsman with the Quorn Hunt. Leicestershire Police force seized his phone and found incriminating text messages, which furthered the case against him.
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Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham from the Beaufort Hunt were due in Swindon Magistrates Court on 8^th and 9^thDecember 2022. There had been numerous previous hearings and much public money spent. On the morning of the 8^th, the case was suddenly and inexplicably dropped. The Beaufort is King Charles’ hunt. His good friend, Lord Mancroft is also part of it. We can’t think why it was dropped…
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John Lewis of the Lamerton Hunt was due in Plymouth Magistrates Court on 09/12/22, charged with having dogs dangerously out of control. The offence occurred 5/2/22. The result of this case is not yet known but it is interesting that the offence refers to dogs dangerously out of control.

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Police

Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team report on their Facebook page that they have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. They say they have done this because they issued the hunt with a warning notice in May 2022 about the anti-social use of the country road network. They say that the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN.
“ The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point. Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“ Because of the right to appeal, it is obviously not a done deal yet, but this will send shockwaves through the hunting community and through the various organisations that offer them tacit protection.
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On Sat (3/12/22) Kent Police positioned themselves to stop sab vehicles outside of the East Kent Hunt kennels, thereby denying the sabs the opportunity to follow the hunt to its meet. The police were successful and the sabs chose to find another hunt. Well done to the Kent Police.  You haven’t just aided and abetted illegal hunting by one hunt, but sent a signal to hunts all over the country that some police forces are still on the side of illegal hunting and against groups who legally try and oppose it. The police know it, we know it, that there will be no retribution against the police for this deplorable conduct.
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Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) report that the police rescued a hound from a deep water tank.  The Cheshire Hunt had left this hound behind and it was the reaction of a quick thinking officer from the rural crime team that pulled the hound out of the tank. The Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) are, in fact, full of praise for the police effort yesterday. The police challenged the behaviour of the terrier men and were prepared to get their feet muddy.
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6/12/22: Staffordshire Hunt Sabs report that the North Staffs Hunt has had to pack up early as the hunt staff agreed with the police that the hounds had been out of control.
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It looks as though control of the hounds is becoming a bigger issue. It is easier to prove, rather than the more difficult to prosecute offence of foxhunting.

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Bad news for hunts

The Saltersgate Farmers Hunt have been caught digging out a badger sett on land controlled by the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Authority has banned the hunt from that particular area which is good, but it is felt that the Authority needs to ban the hunt from all of the areas under its control. Observations to this effect can be made to: general@northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Other news

 ‘Keep the Ban’ has a new website.

It is now ‘Protect the Wild’.  It has the following website address. Just as we like others to support us I am sure they’d appreciate a visit. It’s a fine website – with the search bar sliding smoothly in from the right in an elegant and rather impressive way.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/
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Astonishing though it is, some churches actually support hunting. In Shropshire, a service for The United Pack, was arranged at St George’s Church in Clun on Sunday 11^th December. Shropshire AAF asked people to contact the church politely and ask them to reconsider, given that hunts are keen on animal cruelty – and that cannot be Christian. The service was cancelled, not on moral grounds, but because a member of the clergy received emails, which she thought were threatening.
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The cold weather has kept the badgers underground. Underground badgers have kept the shooters at home. This has given the anti-cullers a welcome break.

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Hunts and the public

Another case of hunt trespass occurred on Sat 10/12/22 and was reported by Three Counties Hunt Sabs when the Cotswolds Hunt were asked to leave land by the land owner.
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The following has been borrowed from the Peterborough Hunt Sabs. “This week an elderly birdwatcher was knocked down by the out-of-control Fitzwilliam Hunt while they were out walking. “At least 30 fox hounds came charging down the path in full cry and knocked me down, I complained to the red coat on horseback but he just shouted “we’ve been doing this for 350 years!” And rode off!” We’re not sure that knocking over elderly birdwatchers for 350 years is much to boast about.

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Sab News

Yet another new group has formed. It is called the Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs. Amongst their other activities they are organising a demo against the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt meet in Tavistock on Boxing Day. Good luck to WDHS!
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Drones are becoming a integral part of sab groups’ toolkits. Sheffield Hunt Sabs did a fund raiser in order to buy one, and hit their target in less than 24hours. Good effort.

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Boxing Day

With help from some parish and town councils, many Boxing Day meets are still going ahead. Grantham, is the exception (well done GABS), and a number of others are also looking unlikely or at least, compromised. There is a list on Grantham Against Bloodsports Facebook Page. AAF has been campaigning all year, challenging the meets on grounds of health and safety. To challenge these meets, you need evidence; Boxing Day 2022, and New Year’s Day 2023 are our only two opportunities to collect it. Go to the meets, take a camera and film. Here’s some advice about what to look for:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-meets-watch-listen-record/

Somerset County Council has astonished all of us by using EMERGENCY road closures to facilitate three Boxing Day meets. They say that this is because the hunts have not applied for proper road closures in time. CALL TO ACTION – email a complaint to the council. Protect the Wild has made it very easy to do. Click here for more details.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/news/somerset-county-council-using-emergency-powers-help-hunt-parades/

Latest News 3 December 2022

Hunt Violence, Cruelty and Law-Breaking

Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that whilst out sabbing the Grove and Rufford Hunt, the ex-master Gerard Farmer arrived with some of his friends and they proceeded to slash all four of the tyres on the sab vehicle. This happened on 19th November. A police investigation is underway. I do not know if this is the same vehicle that was seized by the Derbyshire police about four weeks ago, but with the police being so helpfully disposed towards the hunters and cullers, one has to ask, why would the hunt NOT conduct themselves like this. There is little risk of the police taking action against them.

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The West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue, unintimidated by the hunt or by the police, to sab the Warwickshire Hunt. On 12th November, they met with the usual disgraceful conduct. A sab was assaulted by hunt steward Harry Sawyer. It’s on camera.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that the South Dorset Hunt had a hound injured by a motorist on 22 November.  Hunt support removed the hound whilst it was still howling in pain. The same hunt trespassed on land owned by a racehorse stud farm. The owner inconveniently interrupted their pursuit of a fox. He also told them to stop disturbing his valuable livestock. If that wasn’t enough, they also got their hounds muddled up with hounds from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt who were hunting in the SAME FIELD. Both hunts were being sabbed at the time.

I’ve included the link to the report below, as this one really defies imagination.

https://www.facebook.com/mendiphuntsabs/posts/pfbid0hFeE58hSGRoF32T6CNJXtMVZxynJtMg7RkPbTXyWXyjjVpzue9vUnPp5HZwZ13jVl

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On 26th November,  the Albrighton Hunt left one of their injured hounds wandering alone in the dark after they had packed up. Reported by Staffordshire Hunt Sabs.

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Again, on 26th November, South Cambridge Hunt Sabs had two tyres slashed at the start of their sabbing day. They think they know who the perpetrators were and have submitted evidence to the police.

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Still on 26th November, Wildlife Crime Action has the video of the pack of hounds ragging a fox in the middle of a field. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale huntsman and terrier man are there, and like any good trail hunters they had come equipped with a plastic bag to remove the evidence. It is unpleasant footage. The footage has been shared in an attempt to force Avon and Somerset Police to take action.

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On Tue 29th November  Calder Valley Hunt Sabs report a hound of the Grove and Rufford, killed on the busy A614 road. The picture of a sab cradling the dead hound is deeply moving. Poor dog. Poor sab. We feel so sad for both of you.

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Sab successes

On Saturday (19th Nov) Cottesmore Hunt was sabbed by 90-100 sabs, as result of their attack on a sab a couple of weeks ago. A sheep collapsed and had bleeding from one eye and its nose, after the Cottesmore Hunt passed (rampaged) through the field. South Lodge Farm seemed indifferent to the animal suffering. They may even have been abetting the hunt.

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Police

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs who have to contend with the incredibly bad policing of the Wiltshire police, photographed the Conservative MP James Gray out on foot, with the Beaufort Hunt on 19th November. Bath Hunt Sabs also covered this event. Mr Gray MP said it was a legal hunt and but failed to account for at least eight terriermen!

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On 19th November 22, the West Kent Hunt Sabs are reporting that the Kent Police impounded two quads that were out with the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The terrier men were driving without insurance, tax and had swapped number plates.  The new precedents we now have, are;- North Wales police inspecting the contents of the box in front of the quad, Leicestershire Police ticketing bad parking at the meeting of a hunt in a village, and now Kent Police taking two quads away on a low loader. Tellingly, the West Kent Hunt Sabs go on to comment that they hope the police officers’ careers will not be adversely affected by their action as the Hunt is protected by senior officers in Kent Police. Kent Police still have Mike Bax as the Head of the advisory group to the Kent Police Rural Crime Team. Mike Bax is a former huntsman and was drummed out as head of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

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On 17th November, Wildlife Crime Action report that a serving officer with Dorset Police forwarded a post recently, advertising a horse for sale which included the description, “been cubbing and hound exercise“. It is alleged that that the unnamed officer regularly attends the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt meetings. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually feel that police in this country were accountable.

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On 29th November,  Nottingham Hunt Sabs filmed of one of the Quorn huntsmen attempting to steal sab property by grabbing at the camera. The sab retained the camera but it was destroyed in the tussle.  One may have thought there was enough evidence for the police to take action, but this is an English police force and the offenders are Foxhunters.

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Court Happenings

The CPS has just withdrawn evidence of a fox being chased by the Wynnstay Hunt. This may be a prelude to a not guilty verdict.

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The members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt that rammed the Manchester vehicles are still awaiting sentencing. The crime happened on 19th March 2019.

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Calls to action

There is a petition to ban the Ledbury Hunt from the town on  Boxing Day. Here is the link.

https://chng.it/KGSPRWdjcv

After two years, Somerset County Council have finally accepted that hunts, just like everyone else, MUST follow the usual procedures for staging their public Christmas meets. AAF wants to hear from anyone who knows anything about objections to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day Meets. Please complete our contact form and we will get back to you straight away. We can help with protests and objections.

Boxing Day and NYD Contact Form

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Bad News for Hunts

Not close to home, but a very old hunt in Ireland has folded, (Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt).

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Other News

The HSA has put out a newsletter summing up the progress made since the release of the webinars. One of the most startling statements in the press release states “… A host of other hunts are set to bite the dust this season,…” That is a very surprising statement from people who have been so totally immersed in having to be realistic about the survivability of hunts and hunting. Let’s hope they are right.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team stopped a trailer not far from the venue of the Warwickshire Hunt Ball. Having been lied to by the driver, officers searched the trailer and found a bunch of silly people inside, on their way to their annual bash where they celebrate the fox killings of the past year.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any mistakes or would like us to add something, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Saturday 19th November 2022

What have the hunts been up to?

This week, we learned of the tragic death of Matrix the Cat, at the hands of the Brocklesby Hunt. We are sad for the cat and for his owners. But, this doesn’t end here. We will get justice. 

On 14^th November, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt supporters appear to have lobbed a firework into the vehicle belonging to the North Dorset Hunt Sabs.
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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that hunts are still hunting on National Trust land and the National Trust is not taking action to deal with the trespass.

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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs, reporting on the Cottesmore Hunt, noted:  ‘…a distressed sheep farmer was furious that the hunt had frightened her pregnant ewes, disregarding a previous request for them to stay away from the flock.’ That could trigger sheep aborting over the next couple of days. No wonder she was furious. The same hunt removed a “Road Closed” sign on the A6003 so they could continue down the road unhindered.

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Weymouth Animal Rights report that on 5/11/22 the South Dorset Hunt chased and killed a deer.  Footage of the incident will be put forward to the police.
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On November 13^th, the Blencathra Foxhounds held an illegal fox hunt in the Carrock Fell area. This involved illegal hunting, trespassing across Lake District National Park, driving quads across LDNPA land. They also cleared the area of visitors first, by bullying  holiday-makers and day trippers out of the way first.

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Cambridge Hunt Sabs report that, at a joint meeting of 1) the Puckeridge Hunt and 2) Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt, the hunters and their supporters were excessively disposed towards aggression.

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What’s gone wrong for the hunts and right for us?

Here is an unexpectedly great result. Four weeks ago we reported on the conviction for illegal foxhunting of Mark Pearson, from the South Dorset Hunt. Here is a rather welcome follow up from AAF (Action Against Foxhunting). “Waitrose have suspended their relationship with Mark Pearson who supplied them with milk”. A successful and very speedy AAF & WAR (Weymouth Animal Rights) campaign

If you are willing to add more pressure to what has already borne fruit, here is a related petition from last week, triggered by the successful prosecution.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/richard-drax-stop-allowing-the-hunts-to-use-your-land/

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The Kings Head Pub in Pebmarsh, who inadvertently hosted the East Essex Hunt on 12^th November, won’t be doing that again. It turned out that the pub didn’t know the booking was for the hunt. The pub don’t support the hunt and they will not be welcome there again. We understand that this is a REALLY VERY NICE PUB, and if you are in Pebmarsh, pop in for a quick drink and say thank you._______

The Wynnstay Hunt could be in more difficulties than it realises. On Saturday 5^th Nov, the police attended in an unmarked car. The hunt had changed the venue of their opening meeting perhaps because they were no longer welcome at their traditional seasonal start point. With sabs present, and the police present, the hunt was very subdued and cautious, and probably actually afraid of being caught hunting illegally. How long will it be before the hunters, Lord Lieutenant and/or the High Sheriff, lose their nerve and decide they ought not to be bringing public opprobrium against the crown?

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Are the police more good than bad now?

West Kent Hunt Sabs have revealed a link between a former huntsman and the Kent rural police. As the sabs remark, “This explains why no action is ever taken when we contact Kent police about illegal hunting activity.” In a just world the Kent Police would try and account for their conduct. More likely they will just ignore the complaints.

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A post appeared on a pro hunter’s Facebook page complaining about Cumbrian Police’s presence at North Cumberland’s fox hunt on 20^th October 2022. The poster just COULD NOT understand why the police sent two police cars to investigate an allegation of illegal foxhunting. We’ll answer that – it’s because you were breaking the law and that’s what police are for.

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Lancashire Hunt Sabs report that a fox fled away from the hunt into private property on 9^th November. The home owner called the police and the controller replied that trespass was not a criminal offence and the hunt were exercising their hounds. Cumbria Police did however attend and they are taking positive action regarding the handling of the call. The report also shows a picture of the fox, on the roof of the house next door, trying to escape the hunt.

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There was another precedent this week, this time reported by the Nottingham Hunt Sabs.  “Hunt supporters blocked roads and police ticketed the vehicles that were parked dangerously in the village.” The hunt involved was the Quorn and the Police force was the Leicestershire Police. (Last week’s precedent was the North Wales Police insisting in viewing the contents of the box on the front of a quad.)

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The North Yorks Police have joined other forces that can’t move forward, and continue to allow themselves to be manipulated by the hunts. On 5^th November, the East Yorks Coast Hunt Sabs had the North Yorks Police version of law enforcement displayed to them when they sabbed the Derwent Hunt. Six officers with four cars and threats of arrest were the order of the day.

https://www.facebook.com/page/1426555787466531/search/?q=police

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Court Happenings

Arun Squire, Huntsman of the Puckeridge Hunt, was due to face trial on Tuesday 15th November. The trial has been postponed until the 15th/16th May 2023 with a case management hearing due on 22nd of March.

Mr Squire therefore remains on bail for the rest of the hunting season.
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Tim Ingram formally whipper in with the Mendip Farmers Hunt and now Huntsman for the South Tetcott Hunt has pleaded guilty to criminal damage having been recorded on dash cam, being driven past the sab vehicle as a passenger on a quad, and kicking out at it. It has cost him a total of £912 and he now has a criminal record. There is no mention, however of any action being taken against the 16-year-old driver of the illegal quad. It could be that this is under Wiltshire police jurisdiction, so no further action will be taken.

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Last week, David Thomas from Dwyryd Fox Hounds received a jail sentence of 24 weeks and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. He had been convicted of six offences under the animal welfare act. He has now appealed this sentence, and it has been reduced to 13 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. What a farce.

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A football striker, Kian Harratt, with Bradford city FC has been convicted of hare coursing. The 20-year-old, from Pontefract, was sentenced along with two other men at Beverley Magistrates Court after being stopped by police in East Yorkshire on 3 April.

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Myles O’Connor, of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt (a Scottish hunt) has pleaded not guilty to illegal fox hunting. The offence occurred on 22/12/21. His trial will be in the New Year.

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On November 16^th, Daniel Cherriman, master of the South Shropshire Hunt pleaded guilty (probably because he couldn’t think of a defence) to hunting offences and was fined £600 for “disturbing a fox”. He was very that he would “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs. We would ask Mr C to add in “anti bloodsports campaigners”  just to make sure he includes all of us who will be subjecting him to adverse comments.

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Wiltshire Police have dropped the case against the terrier man who assaulted a sab last March, resulting in a bleed on the brain.

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Other News

In June several interested people raised an objection to the plans for a farm in Cheshire to start a mobile zoo business under the banner “Zoo2U“. The planning application has been rejected and, as is so often the way, an amended plan has been submitted.

You/we have until the 18th of November to register objections.

The proposed site is owned by a Badger Cull Director.

Here is the link.

https://freedomforanimals.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f8f4a3f22312d6cf35dc262ab&id=f99da7fed1&e=c74604483f

Thank you for reading.

“HEADLINES” is produced by Foxy Blether and AAF. If you spot any inaccuracies, or have something to add, please email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org. Thank you to the sab and monitor groups whose stories we have shared. 

Latest News 5th November 2022

 

Prosecutions, investigations and convictions

A member of the Portman Hunt was given a 16 week community order for assaulting a sab from north Dorset Hunt Sabs on on Saturday 24th September at Ochill, North Dorset.
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This next one one is shocking. We know that Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt was in court for illegal hunting, and that the case was dropped because of a “technicality”. Salisbury Plain Monitors have now released all the footage (which shows Carter to be as guilty as sin. So why was the case dropped? Read the details here: https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/royal-artillery-hunt-a-licence-to-kill/

A Prestatyn man, (Philip Stevens) has been found guilty of badger baiting at Mold Magistrates Court. He received a sentence of 24 months prison, suspended for 12 months, 180 hours of community service, costs of £500 and victim surcharge of £128. He was banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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The following incident occurred at the Cottesmore Hunt on Tuesday 25th October. A woman sab (Lisa Jaffray) was run into by a hunt supporter. The driver drove off without stopping. The victim was taken to hospital, and was discharged the following day. Leicestershire police say “A 59-year-old woman, from Knossington, was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent (Wednesday 25^th October). She has since been released under investigation.”

(DI Charles Edward is investigating).
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A jail sentence of 18 months has been meted out to Luke Rix (32) from South Warwickshire, who filmed  himself hunting wildlife. The film reveals a very sadistic nature and he has also been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years and was ordered to pay £500 and £128 victim surcharge.
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Police

The difference between different police forces attitudes towards hunting could eventually become a scandal. Hunts will be looking to hunt outside their territory to favour the areas that have hunt-sympathetic or corrupt policing.

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The sit-on-their-hands-and-do-nothing Wiltshire Police seem to have done nothing to progress the case against the assailant who caused the bleed on the brain for a sab. The assault occurred last March.
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The North Wales police insisted that the terrier man, from the Flint and Denbigh, who said the box on the front of his quad was empty, should open the box for the police to see. There was, of course, a terrier there. The terrier man was informed that there was no place for terriers on a trail hunt. However, no further action appears to have occurred. ‘Going equipped’ is not a hunting offence, but we’re looking into this.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have a lot of problems with the Royal Artillery Hunt, and a lack of police action. The following, in part, would explain why: “…we also know this farm hosts Wiltshire Police and allows them to train their police dogs on their land so if you’re ever hoping for this lot to face the force of the law you will be sorely disappointed“.  You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.

Sadly, the RA killed a fox on Saturday.
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The Three Counties Hunt Sabs were sabbing the Heythrop Hunt. When it was evident that the hunt was not acting within the law the police were called, and the Gloucestershire Police did attend. Shortly after that the hunt return to base. The difference of attitudes around Britain’s police forces is quite remarkable.
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Holcombe Hunt indulged in the common tactic of being aggressive to sabs and then calling the police to say they were being intimidated and bullied. When Lancashire Police turned up with three vehicles, they saw the video footage and told the hunt (and Mr Clarke junior) to behave.

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HUNT DISASTERS and SAB  ACTIVITY

The hunts are having increasing problems. People in the countryside are no longer afraid of them and are standing up to their bullying tactics, the police are no longer reliable, and don’t necessarily arrive and start making problems for the sabs. Many sab groups now have drones, which means their ability to monitor the location of the hunt is getting better and better. Quite a few hunts are struggling financially. It is probably true to say that the wind is no longer in their favour.
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East Devon Hunt, Axe Vale and the Cotley were upset when we noticed that the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for East Devon District Council forgot to exempt hounds. This means that the hounds cannot run about unleashed on roads. It also means that no one can be in charge of more than six dogs at a time and someone has to pick up all their faeces. Sabs are no on the look out for any of this behaviour and will report breaches to the council.

In Cornwall, another PSPO requires all dog owners to pick up their dog’s faeces – once again hounds are not exempt.
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The East Kent Hunt was sabbed and packed up around 11 am on Saturday. At about that time an angry landowner (who gave his name on video) (Colin Lee) turned up and complained to the hunt about hunt trespass. The world is changing. More and more people are prepared to stand up to the hunt.

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Many sab groups report the use of their drones in their hunt surveillance. Last weekend included:-

Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs versus Oakley Hunt
Surrey Hunt Sabs versus Ashford Valley
North London Hunt Sabs versus East Essex
South Coast Hunt Sabs versus East Kent
Manchester Hunt Sabs versus Warwickshire Hunt.

Drones are becoming more and more part of the sab toolkit and they are becoming expert at piloting them.
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Sheffield Hunt Sabs said thank you to those that contributed, in order that they could get their vehicle back from the police. (It was seized last week.) They used it to good effect in getting rid of some lampers as well as doing their badger work.
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Last week we reported on a new sab group called “Locals against the Blankley Hunt“. This week the HSA are reporting that there is yet another sab group formed, this one is called “East Surrey Hunt Sabs“. In Somerset, we have another new group, called Somerset Sabs.

We wish all the new groups success.

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A Scottish Hunt, (the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt) has acquired some adverse publicity in the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.  “A pack of 50 loose dogs caused havoc in the countryside – worrying sheep, spooking horses and scaring people. The baying hounds were seen stampeding through fields, roads and a quarry on the morning of Tuesday, October 18.” No sabs were present, and it was the local people that took umbrage and alerted the police.
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Cottesmore Hunt didn’t let the hit and run interrupt their hunting day. Later on in the day the sab report states: “as sabs closed in hunt terrier man Gary McCann assisted by other masked thugs assaulted sabs punching one in the face, smashing a camera and knocking female Sabs to the ground and strangling them.“
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Dunstan Harriers had a number of hounds killed by a train on an active railway line on Monday 31st. From previous knowledge the railway/transport police seem to be rather better at successful prosecutions than the national police forces, so we wait and see what becomes of this. This is the sixth railway trespass by hunts, that we know about, in the last three years.
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Campaigns

Richard Drax MP is coming under scrutiny after the conviction of Mark Pearson (hunting offences) from the South Dorset Hunt. Not only does he own the land on which the kill happened, he also rents their kennels out to them. Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) and AAF are asking Mr Drax to ban the hunt from his land. Please sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

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The convict Mark Pearson supplies milk to Waitrose. After the conviction, Waitrose should reconsider this arrangement, particularly given the artwork displayed in Watirose stores assuring shoppers of their compassion towards animals. Campaign details coming soon.
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Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets are approaching. AAF (together with other groups) is challenging 28 of these meets and would like to hear of more. Please click on this link to let us know if you are involved.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/the-simple-version/

Other News

Matt Hancock a Conservative MP has been suspended from his party. His mother is Shirley Carter, and the Wynnstay Hunt has used her home, The Greaves, near Wrexham, for their meets. Up to now the hunt has had a line through to Cabinet level which may in part account for their confidence in flouting the law.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 22nd October 2022

 

POLICE Response to illegal hunting

 

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs Facebook page requires a visit if you are to understand what is going on between them and the police. The key point here is this: how did the Warwickshire Hunt know anything about the arrests of the sabs last week, unless police told the hunt themselves? Read the details here:https://www.facebook.com/WestMidsHuntSabs/posts/pfbid0XP2j6cSXeZWSf2CziaDQpHRMjJ3mspgQU6urMe6p6X9n7g9ByFp8NYoo5TexNamBl
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Bedfordshire Police have been out with a 4 x 4 keeping an eye on the Oakley Hunt. The police also found time to have an interesting discussion with the Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. This left the sab group with the impression that some interesting times might lie ahead for the hunts.
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Whilst the Nottingham Hunt Sabs with a member of the Lincoln Hunt Sabs were out sabbing the Blankley Hunt, the Lincolnshire Police arrested the driver and navigator from the Nottingham Hunt Sabs for an, as yet, unspecified offence. Their vehicle is now in a police pound.
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Derbyshire Police have seized a vehicle belonging to the Sheffield Hunt Sabs whilst they were out opposing the badger Cull.
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The Leicestershire Police want to liaise with sabs. It’s difficult to imagine any sab wanting to cooperate with police who have spent 18 years perfecting ways to harass or intimidate an organisation that wants the laws upheld. On the other hand, the police are part of this (no matter what we think) and if liaising with the police means the hunts are put under more pressure, then we might want to consider it.
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The (Isle of) Wight Hunt Sabs Facebook page recounts an interesting little story. One of the Isle of White Foxhound supporters became verbally aggressive and then called the police. The interaction had been recorded by the sabs and they showed the recording to the police which confirmed that the aggressive verbal behaviour had not been initiated by the sabs. The perpetrator of the abuse then appeared and when the police went to speak to him he would not calm down. So they arrested him and took him away in a police van. It’s great to hear a case of the police being called by the hunt and it backfiring in quite such a exemplary manner.
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The Western Hunt were very miffed at being sabbed by the West Cornwall Hunt Sabs and decided to take revenge by using their smart phone whilst driving, to film the sabs. They chose to do it in front of a police officer and we are now waiting to see if there is an outcome from this particular irresponsible activity, because the police officer did set off in pursuit. The West Cornwall Hunt Sabs are nothing if not persistent, and they will let us all know in due course how this develops.
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Last week we reported a window smashing event that (allegedly) the Norwich Constabulary had said they couldn’t do anything about. This week their inaction in not even investigating, Norwich Constabulary were rewarded for their indifference by being able to ring the sabs up to tell them that one of their vehicles had been extensively vandalised.

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Convictions and Prosecutions

Mark Pearson of the South Dorset Hunt has been found guilty of fox hunting. The penalty is £6,000 fine, £190 victim surcharge, and £620 costs.  His blatant lying in court is very disconcerting. He had killed one fox earlier in the day and the police deemed it an accident and allowed him to continue hunting. It was fortunate that the second kill was recorded by a monitors with cameras. The judge held that he should have had his hounds under control.
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A game keeper, (Matthew Stroud) has admitted illegally shooting and poisoning birds of prey. He received (from Norwich Magistrates’ Court) a 12 month community order, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and fined £692.
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Huntsman David Thomas from Dwydryd Hunt, has pleaded guilty to running a badger baiting ring at the Hunt kennels. Sentencing is due on 7th November. (He has had a previous prison sentence for badger baiting).
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Two men from the Wynnstay Hunt, Jamie Barnes, of Nottingham, and Ben Lloyd Davies from Welshpool have been found guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court of interfering with badger setts at a farm in Wrexham in August last year. The court heard that at the time, Barnes had been employed by the Wynnstay Hunt, and “had been asked to get a rogue (bagged) fox” ahead of the following day’s hunt. They were each fined £1000, £600 costs and £100 victim surcharge.
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Ms Sarah Moulds was visibly discombobulated last week when her trial date was set back until 22nd of August 2023. Ms Moulds was the lady who struck and kicked her horse at the Cottesmore Hunt.
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There are about another eleven hunts awaiting their turn in court.

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Hunt Activity

Local Hunt Sabs have now helped remove three hunts from our countryside. The latest demise (The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt) has allowed those same sabs to turn their attention to the Teme Valley Hunt, whose dogs rioted among a field of sheep last week.
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Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) sabbed the South Dorset Hunt, last Saturday. Their hit report says that a monitor from Wildlife Crime Action got himself/herself into the appropriate position and has some quite damning footage. We have to await more information, but that sounds encouraging.
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The Three Countries Hunt Sabs show photographs of what happens when you let dogs run across a cattle grid. The Heythrop Hunt seemed indifferent to their own utter stupidity.
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Last Wednesday, both the Cheshire Monitors and Cheshire Against Bloodsports reported violence from the Wynnstay Hunt, and that it was recorded on video.
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A landowner has written to the Hereford Times, and complained about a hunt trespassing on his land. The offending Hunt was The Radnor and West Herefordshire Hunt. It is yet another example of hound trespass, and of hunts being not as popular as they would like their followers to believe.
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Devon Hunt Sabs report that not only were their tyres slashed but the brake lines on their vehicle were cut.
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The dogs of the Thurlow Hunt attacked a muntjac deer, which subsequently had to be put down. It was recorded on video by the Cambridge Hunt Sabs. It is the subject of a police investigation.

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Other news

AAF’s Rural Survey returned the following results (among other figures). Only 7% of rural residents support fox hunting. 73% of rural residents know that hunts are still killing foxes and 90% of local residents don’t attend the Boxing Day Meet in their town.
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With Boxing Day approaching, more and more hunts are finding their public meets under threat. AAF and other local groups are challenging 25 (and more) hunt meets across the country. The challenges relate to public safety and legal permissions. Hunts always just show up on the day, illegally block roads, and generally do as they please. Everyone else has to obey the rules and there is no reason why the hunts are an exception. AAF wants more locals to help. Please contact info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org for further details.
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Having had one of their members assaulted by a masked-up member of the Essex Farmers Hunt, various sab groups returned the following week to mount a very successful sab on that hunt.
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Reminder to those that tramp across fields by night to consider their own safety. In Carmarthenshire on the 23rd  Sept a Farmer was killed by his own bull. And on 25th September, Lancashire police reported finding the body of a woman that appeared to be killed by cattle.
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The wife of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business and Energy Secretary who last week said the market turmoil was not due to the Mini budget, was out hunting with the Mendip Farmers Hunt last Saturday. The party whose corner stones are of financial and economic rectitude, and law and order, is not without its shortcomings!
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A puppy farmer from Essex has received a four-year jail sentence for her puppy farming activities.
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A new group has been formed. “Locals Against the Blankley Hunt”. It appears to me the hunts that are likely to suffer the most are those with a dedicated sab group. We wish the new group well.
Thank you for reading. 

 

Latest News 9th October 2022

 

Police response to illegal hunting

The Wynnstay Hunt was out cub hunting on Wednesday 21st September.
Cheshire Monitors say they don’t normally bother ringing the police, “…because they’ve shown no real interest in hunting in the past, but they’ve just admitted being poor with their responses in the past and that things have changed.” Indeed they have changed because the West Mercia police attended. Hunts must soon start asking themselves if the police attendance is simply a one-off, or if it represents a sea change.

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Last Boxing Day there was a violent kerfuffle in the village of Lacock hunt supporters from the Avon Vale Hunt attacked protesters. Earlier this year three hunt supporters pleaded guilty to public order offences. However, Wiltshire Police, (a force that is now in special measures) decided to prosecute two of the people that were attacked. Last week, District Judge Joanna Dickens dismissed the charges against the two defendants using the words “Ultimately the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thin…” The police submitted a short clip of video as evidence. The guys were trying to defend themselves.

If you cast your mind back you may remember one of the police officers present was a paid up member of the hunt.

Bringing the case against the two people who were trying to defend themselves, is an example of Wiltshire police trying to appear even-handed, whilst actually undermining trust in the police.
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Wiltshire Police, or possibly just their PCC Phillip Wilkinson, have released a promotional video to the BBC making some quite extravagant claims about what the Wiltshire Police are up to, to stop crime in the countryside. The PCC said that hare coursing events are being live streamed into China and people there are betting tens of thousands of dollars on which dog will take the hare. “…Gangs with dogs and four by fours chase hares across farmland and the criminals leaves thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake and will use intimidation and violence to set up the chase.“ He goes on, “The people involved are often also involved in running county lines and modern day slavery too, these are serious criminals and a very real threat.”

The PCC went on to say that they weren’t “worried about the hares… just the damage to property”. Once again, this PCC is dismissing the Hunting Act. We would like him to commit to enforcing ALL laws, including the HA, rather than picking and choosing according to his own personal opinion regarding illegal hunting.

I’m sure Wiltshire rural crime team will be an excellent job of apprehending these international criminals.

My advice to hare coursers in Wiltshire, wear a bright red jacket and if stopped by the police tell them that you are trail hunting.
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The Norwich Hunt Sabs comment favourably about the rural police team attending a meet of the West Norfolk Foxhounds. Although they did arrive late in the day they informed the sabs that they intended to put up a drone in order to monitor the hunt, and indeed they lived up to their promise. With the Norfolk police finally realising that the hunts are acting illegally, they may care to reconsider whether their conviction against sab a few years back for aggravated trespass was in fact a miscarriage of justice.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs had a window smashed on their car whilst kennel watching the West Norfolk Fox Hounds. Allegedly, Norfolk Constabulary said they were unable to do anything.

Hunt Activity

The West Midlands Hunt Sabs have video footage of a huntsman, Olivia Forsyth, from the Warwickshire Hunt galloping after a fox in the hope of turning it back into the maize for her Hounds. It’s pretty blatant cub hunting.
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West Kent Hunt Sabs have video footage of the East Kent with West Street Hunt acting violently towards a member of the public. They have identified the attacker, so perhaps in six months time we will see yet another court case.
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On the 16th of September, The Times carried an article concerning the hunting of a stag for three hours before it was shot dead. The article carried a photograph of the hunter at the moment of the discharge of the rifle aimed at the stag. Stag hunting is probably one of the most disgusting versions of hunting that there is in this country and it is good to see that a major and respected newspaper is becoming more willing to cover the issue.

I don’t suppose the nation’s opprobrium will cause the Quantock Hunt to bat an eyelid. Eventually, however, public opinion will matter enough to those that could put a stop to hunting to take action.
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Prosecutions

Three members of the Vale of White Horse Hunt have pleaded not guilty to hunting offences. Their trial date has been set for the 23rd of March 2023.

That makes the number of hunts awaiting court appearances 13. There could be more.

Other News

The struggles, pertinacity, and bravery of some people can be quite remarkable.

A lady reports that she followed the Ludlow Hunt on her land for two hours and then managed to open the box on the front of a quad. There was a fox there but, before she could reach for the Fox, the quad drove off. Subsequently she saw the fox being transferred to a hessian bag. The hessian sack was thrown into the back of a Land Rover, which was driven off. What was happening was being relayed by telephone to the police who responded quickly, but not quickly enough to catch the culprits.
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The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, has been out cub hunting. The hunt also meet and hunt on their estate, which contravenes the law forbidding land to be used for illegal hunting. I do wonder if he/she is keeping an eye on the mood of the authorities and the public.
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Nottingham Hunt Sabs showed a picture of a young dead badger. It had been shot and wounded, but it couldn’t quite make it back to its sett. It’s worth remembering that it was the cattle that gave the TB to the badgers and not vice versa.

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Avian bird flu has been found in pheasants.
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The Welsh government is setting out a bill that will make snare and glue traps illegal. It is part of a larger Welsh Agricultural Bill.
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Scotland is planning to get rid of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and replace it with legislation that will make the hunting with dogs more difficult to get away with.  Scottish ministers have reacted with, “… chasing and killing a mammal with a dog for sport or otherwise has no place in modern Scotland.” They are trying to close the loopholes which hunts use to circumvent the law. It appears to be a step in the right direction because the Scottish branch of the bloodsport industry is already against it.

Latest News 24th September 2022

Hunt changes

Bleane Beagles, a Kent based Hare Hunt has amalgamated with the Brighton, Storrington, Surrey and North Sussex Beagles. It is another case of where there were once two hunts, now there is only one. The title of the hunt with which they have amalgamated suggests that, that Hunt, too, is an amalgamation of several.

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It is quite difficult to keep track of hunts when they close down or amalgamate.

We know that the New Forest Hounds are now a bloodhound pack and hope that they have an enjoyable season, with no controversy.
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Police, CPS and Prosecutions
The Nottingham Hunt Sabs tell us that when they were attending to the Quorn Hunt recently, the police showed up to do a bit of sabbing themselves – “Leicestershire police had two 4x4s from the rural crime team, driving across fields after this once mighty Hunt”. I don’t recall ever of hearing of the police showing any real intent of stopping illegal hunting. This could send shock waves through the Blood Sport industry.

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Last August a case against the Quorn Hunt was dropped after the intervention of the CPS.

The CPS said:

“Explaining the decision to drop the case, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.

“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swain giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”

It seems that, despite the outcome of that previous case, the police remain unconvinced that the Quorn Hunt is engaged in legal hunting.

After police deploying 4 x 4 in the field, I do wonder if the Quorn remain so confident.
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The North Wales Hunt Sabs may have reported a milestone event. The Flint and Denbigh followed a trail for the first time since the introduction of the Hunting Act 17 years ago. They did however have terriers and their owners on quads, which is suggestive that they wanted to leave their options open.

The Wales police had a presence too. Perhaps they want to clean up their lamentable record prior to the review of the police record on the policing of hunts in North Wales.
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Ben Porter, terrierman for the Hereford and Clifton Hunt was found guilty in Worcester Crown Court on 21/09/22. These were the charges:

Failure to stop after an accident
Failure to report an accident
Driving with undue care and attention, causing injury
No insurance
Incorrect licence (too many passengers on quad bike)
No Mot
Driving an unregistered quad bike on a public road

This happened during a foxhunt on 5^th March. Among other crimes, this man drove a quadbike at speed, hitting and injuring a sab.
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On September 21st in Yeovil Magistrates Court, a member of the Seavington Hunt pleaded guilty to offences under the Hunting Act. This was the person caught on video releasing a bagged fox. He was not, however, convicted for this appallingly cruel act, as the second charge  “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal” was withdrawn. We think this was some sort of a deal. Admitting to using a bagged fox would be disastrous for the hunts, so they settled for breach of the Hunting Act instead. The fine was £180.

*******

Hunt Activity

There are several reports from hunt sabs groups of very blatant cub hunting. In particular, the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt (BSV) were caught on video clearly hunting cubs. In that video, the huntsman (George Pearce) got very excited and galloped up and down a track tootling his horn wildly. I understand that this is not the behaviour of a “skilled huntsman”. Rather, it is the behaviour of a teenage boy watching a naughty video for the first time.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report that at least one (and possibly two) hounds were involved in an RTA on September 8^th. It’s likely that the hounds were from the Avon Vale pack. The hunt master is Stuart Radbourne, well-known to sabs. Poor dogs – they always get a raw deal.
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Given that the number of hunts with members awaiting court appearances sits at twelve, this seems rather rash.

********

Other News

The Lancashire and Cumbria Hunt Sabs appear to have laid an ambush worthy of a Ukrainian General. They had fore knowledge that the Melbreak Hunt were intending to hunt direct from their kennels onto National Trust land , from first light. The Sabs got themselves into position, hidden, and with cameras and drone. Sure enough the Melbreak Hunt walked confidently onto National Trust land and cast their hounds. When ready the Sabs showed their hand, and the hunting day was ruined. The National Trust and the police were informed.
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The Blackmore Vale Magazine, a free magazine from North Dorset, published an article called “In defence of foxes”, written by Pip Donovan, from Action Against Foxhunting. It was a response to a  previous comment by a known local pro, Ruth Kimber, who had said, “foxes feast on domestic cats”. Publication of AAF’s article was a surprise, as the magazine is traditionally pro hunt. To read the article, click here:

https://blackmorevale.net/in-defence-of-foxes/?fbclid=IwAR1O3XypZ7z-FMp2SnAarbYP0Jd9kSFpjfaxureNSlzzfEIgdYUxNte9wWY
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While out doing their thing, members of a Cheshire sab group found a couple of puppies (under a year old and covered in faeces and urine burns) just behind a gate of a field at half 11 at night. With the help of a local, they rescued the puppies and off they went to a rescue, where they are thriving. Kind people doing kind things – it always helps to know they are out there.
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If you use ‘Radio Sounds’ to listen to previous radio broadcasts you may choose to listen to ‘Farming Today’ broadcast on 03/09/22. The first few minutes of the broadcast are taking up on the subject of BTB and Elaine from The Cheshire Badger Vaccination program has a short interview. Elaine is known to many of us and she was an excellent interviewee.

Thank you for reading.

 

 

Latest News 10th September 2022

Two more hunts have made it into the list of outstanding court cases. The Seavington Hunt are being charged with animal cruelty, as well as offences under the Hunting Act. The Daily Mail and ITV News showed the video footage of the bagged fox being released. The offence occurred on 5^th March 222.  A 30 year old man will appear in Yeovil Magistrates Court on 21^st September 2022.
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The Fitzwilliam Hunt has received a fox hunting related charge as well. They are due in court on the 22nd Sept for an incident on 5th March 2022.
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On Tuesday 30^th August, three members of the Dunston Harriers pleaded not guilty in Norwich Magistrates’ Court, to a hunting offence that occurred on 18/01/22, and the case was adjourned to a hearing on 28/11/22.
_______

It appears that twelve hunts are now awaiting court proceedings.
_______

AAF has launched its “Stop Boxing Day Meets Campaign”. To make things much easier for anyone who wants to start a local campaign, we have produced some straightforward training on our website. Please use the “Contact Form” on the webpage to let us know about your campaign. Here is a link:https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/how-to-stop-boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meets/

AAF is also launching a Children’s Poster Competition with prizes. All children (aged 12 years or under) are invited to enter. We want them to design a poster to show people what to do if they see a wild animal in trouble. Closing date is 31st October. Click here for details:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/poster-competition/

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The Badger Cull started on the 31st August catching most of us by surprise. It was a somewhat earlier start than we anticipated. Responses from saboteur groups around the country have been brilliant.
_______

There is another petition, this time to help a distressed family whose pet dog has been siezed by the police.

https://www.change.org/p/help-free-dennis-and-get-him-back-home/signatures/confirm?token=ddaf1f5a-c7bf-4f2e-a57a-1635214bdbf9
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Lush continues to support hunt saboteurs with stalls and fundraising in their stores. The most recent was in Liverpool last weekend.
_______

Hereford hunt sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt has lost the use of a small piece of common land, Bromyard Downs. Possibly not a huge issue but another minor irritant for those that are in favour of hunting.

The Hereford hunt sabs also report that the hounds from the above mentioned hunt appear to have been distributed amongst other hunts. (This is confirmed by the West Kent HUNT SABS who are reporting the arrival of hounds at the East Kent with West Street Hunt.) The Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt which had been looking for a kennelman has now had the advert withdrawn. That same hunt might also be without a huntsman. Perhaps the loss of Bromyard Downs turns out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Thank you for reading.

 

Latest News 25th August 2022

The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Foxhunt are not on our list of hunts expecting court appearances in the next few months. However, they have made it into the news because of a successful prosecution of one of their terrier men. In October 2020 Sam Jamie Mepham took it upon himself to repeatedly drive his very large tractor into a sab vehicle.The incident was filmed and he pleaded guilty to an offence which resulted in a sentence of 12 months community service and a 12 month driving ban. He has previously been convicted of killing a wild animal with a crossbow and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

________

John Bennett Wright was part of a group of hunt supporters that dragged a lone and disabled sab from his vehicle and assaulted him. Glasgow Hunt Sabs report on their Facebook page, “John Bennett Wright, a thug associated with Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire (L and R) Fox Hounds was today sentenced to a 12 month supervision order on top of being made to carry out 180 hours unpaid community work and paying £500 to his victim.

Ryan Sinclair another supporter incurred a £400 fine. Previous to the attack on the disabled sab, he had been responsible for slashing two tyres and he was also part of the group that attacked the disabled sab.
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Action Against Foxhunting has sent out nearly 10 000 cubbing leaflets in the last few weeks to members of the public who are kind enough to distribute them. However, Keep the Ban’s survey showed that only 1 in 10 people has heard of cub hunting. We need to change this. To order leaflets, please click on this link:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/aaf-leaflets/
________

The United Pack were out cubbing at the weekend, but were successfully sabbed. About five different sab groups participated.

________

A couple of days ago, the West Kent Hunt Sabs with other groups sent the East Kent with West Street Hunt back to barracks.
________

Various sab groups combined to visit the Yorkshire Moors on the 12th and disrupt at least one shoot. Peak District Hunt Sabs show a video of the police arriving to remonstrate with them. The first words an unfortunate police officer uttered were   “…you have disrupted their illegal activity.” It probably wasn’t the best slip of the tongue ever but it did get an enthusiastic response from the assembled Sabs.
________

As of yesterday evening, Staffordshire Hunt Sabs along with others had managed to complete three days on the moors already this season. It does not seem to be going that well for those that like to use wild creatures for target practice.
________

The Three Counties Mink Hounds are based in Worcestershire. Last weekend they were rampaging on the river Tweed and were being hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch Hunt. Fortunately, the heavily outnumbered Scottish Border Hunt Sabs along with the Glasgow Hunt Sabs attended the meet and showed great determination in stopping their activities.

The hounds were a long way from their normal home territory.

________

“Shut Down T and S Rabbits”, has its own Facebook page.

There is now a Camp Bunny as well as a Camp Beagle. They had received support from Sab groups.

It is good to report that we have just heard that the owner of the rabbit farm is withdrawing from rabbit breeding and homes are being sought for rescued rabbits.

The request on their Facebook page is, please, …don’t rock the boat with any independent action until they have been able to clarify the situation.

________

West Midlands Hunt Sabs, are petitioning to stop the Warwickshire Hunt from using Council land. Please help support them.

https://chng.it/NWgpmSsd2s
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Natural Resources Wales have upheld their decision to ban trail hunting on their land. That keeps them in line with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority.

________

The case against Robert Metcalfe of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt was dropped by the CPS due to lack of evidence.

________

The huntsman of the Iveagh Hunt, a Northern Ireland hunt, Jack Harris, has been fined £500 after a pack of hounds killed a cat and bit a man during a fox hunt. He also had to pay £1200 court costs and £15 offender’s levy. Mr Harris did not appear in court as he was thought to have removed himself to England. [Fox hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland but, as in England, 80% or more of the population is against fox hunting. The opprobrium attached to Jack Harris and the Iveagh Hunt only serves to reinforce public opinion.]

________

This petition is one that we would all support. It concerns animals in laboratories.

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/127745480/signed

Since it has already passed 70,000 signatories it does stand a good chance of making an impact.

________

“Schadenfreude“. -Happiness in someone else’s misfortune.

The Eggesford Hunt have been successfully sabbed three times  in one week, by Devon County Hunt Sabs.

________

The Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt have lost two Masters very recently and they have heard from several sources that the hunt is on its knees. So that is another two hunts that must be planning behind closed doors how to combat the continuing decline of their hunts.
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On the 12th of August whilst out in the peak district the Peak District Hunt Sabs picked up a fine for having a light out on their vehicle. When the police attend a hunt, it’s difficult to get the police to show any interest in traffic offences, be they committed by quad bike riders, or vehicles without MOTs. Having a go at the sab driver or his vehicle is the normal practice of the police when engaging in subtle harassment. We need to keep ourselves and our vehicles absolutely spot on.
________

Herefordshire Hunt Sabs report that the Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt will no longer be able to access Bromyard Downs thanks to a unanimous vote by the Commoners to ban hunting. Bromyard Downs consists of 242 acres of mainly open access common land east of Bromyard, as well as some farmland.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

 

Latest News 10th August 2022

Vicky Dymond from the Western Hunt in Cornwall has been given a deferred caution for attacking a hunt saboteur with a whip at the end of last season. This is the third member of the same hunt to be investigated, and two of them have been convicted. Paul Martin was convicted earlier this year for violence and John Sampson for failing to control his hounds, leading to the death of Mini the Cat.

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Where once there was two now there is one… The latest amalgamation that we have learnt about appears to be the Weston and Banwell merging with West Somerset Vale Hunt. In fact this merger may have occurred two years ago, but went unreported at that time.
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At an EGM on Thurs 4/8/22 their Hunt committee voted to close down the TETCOTT Hunt (based about 40 miles west of Exeter), due to lack of support and poor finances. The SOUTH CORNWALL Hunt got a mention in that same EGM, and it also appears to be a hunt that has folded within the last two years.
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Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report that the North Norfolk Harriers are disbanding. The hares will be safer from now on.
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Six members of Chard Town Council paid a visit to Cotley Hunt kennels. The hunt obviously kept the dark side hidden from the councillors and showed them only the parts they wanted them to see. Pip, from AAF, who had also asked to visit, was not included. The Mayor had said that he would not go unless Pip did, but he went anyway without Pip, showing no real backbone. Maybe the hunt should invite the councillors to watch them cubhunting? We have evidence of that from last year, of course. No trail hunting there! AAF will continue the campaign against the Cotley’s Boxing Day meet in Chard. Unlike the councillors, they are not fooled. One more thing – the Cotley have since boasted that FIFTY councillors went to the kennels. It was SIX.
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Norwich Pride normally hold their Pride Picnic in Stody Gardens. But now they’ve found out this is a shooting estate, they have decided to picnic elsewhere. Good for them. We need more bold decisions like this!
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Courts are capable of giving custodial sentences. On Monday, Rhys Davies from North Wales was jailed for eight months and banned from owning dogs for 15 years after using dogs to fight badgers and foxes. He was also fined £1800 at Forfar sheriff court in Scotland.
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Closer to home, Paul O’Shea, from the East Essex Hunt, who was videoed capturing a fox and then repeatedly spearing the live creature with a fork, received an 18 week suspended prison sentence. He also received 200 hours community service, £105 court costs, £128 victim surcharge and banned from keeping dogs for five years.
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Reading HS report that the CPS will not pursue an unlawful hunting case against the Avon Vale Hunt. This hunt was involved in a serious assault on a sab earlier this year.
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The glorious 12^th is approaching. Grouse shooting begins, particularly in Scotland. A tragedy for the environment and for birds.
_______

A female protester has been assaulted, you might even say attacked, by someone providing security for an outfit called T & S Rabbits. A mass protest for Sunday has been called for. ‘Shut Down T & S Rabbits” will provide more information.
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On Thursday 4th, Manchester HS announced that the CPS had dropped a case against the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt which was videoed hunting a fox on 23/11/21. Whilst disappointing, it does look as though it would have been difficult to get a conviction based on the video even although the fox is clearly observed.
_______

Keep the Ban, facebook page has an article “what is lamping and is it illegal?“. If you have the time it is a worthwhile read. Click here 
_______

Has anyone heard of hound trailing??

There is a website called (houndtrailing.org.uk) which explains the sport. The hounds follow a trail as individuals, and not as a pack, and this is a competition between hounds to determine which is the speediest and most successful trail follower. There is no hunting of wildlife, and the trail scent that they follow is a mix of paraffin and aniseed.
_______

Finally, 4,000 beagles are looking for new homes after one of the biggest ever dog rescue efforts in the US. The dogs were being bred and then sold on to laboratories for drug experiments.

The company has now been shut down because of animal rights violations. The condition of many of the dogs was quite appalling.(Report on BBC News site)

4,000 to re-home. Wow!

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Back in March 22, the East Cornwall Hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to join them at their meet at Jamaica Inn. This caused such consternation amongst locals and anti blood sports individuals, that the Inn decided not to host them again. The Inn has been sold to someone else, and the new owners have said they won’t be having them back. Wise decision! Who’d want to open that can of worms again?
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The South Downs Blood Hounds, a clean boot hunt, will talk to anyone about their legal hunting activities. The master, Jeremy Whaley (a former fox hunter) is very keen to show how open and genuinely transparent they are. Their meets are advertised online and everyone is welcome to go along and watch.
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Thank you for reading.

Wed 27th July 

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) (Caroline Henry), for Nottingham has been convicted of five speeding offences over a period of 12 weeks, been fined £2450 and been given a six month driving ban. She is married to MP Darren Henry,(Conservative).

Our interest in PCCs is due to the fact that some of them were selected by the pro fox hunting lobby group, Vote OK.
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The Northern Counties Mink Hunt took something of a drubbing on Saturday from various of our HS groups. Staffordshire HS particularly give a good write up. The owner of the land upon which they were hunting is a Charles Dent.
He was a director of Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, but by Sunday morning, he had resigned. The Staffordshire HS also suggest ways in which their readership could put pressure on the hunt, which included contacting The Yorkshire Dales River Trust who are responsible for managing the River Nidd which was the Hunt’s target river.
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Crapaud highlighted a post from the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team which generated a lot of comment from other HS groups. The eye catching caption to the picture was, “if you see a fox being hunted please call 999“. We do wonder if they will re-publish that post during the fox hunting season!
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Much to the chagrin of anglers and the NFU, beavers have now been accorded a protected species status which will take effect from the 1st of October.
“Keep the Ban“ had this to say:-
“The government confirmed on 22 July that it has passed an order to list beavers a native species across England. This means the law will provide beavers with a range of protections similar to badgers including penalties for killing, capturing or injuring them. Disturbing or damaging their homes is also illegal. The order achieves this by amending the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Beavers (England) Order will come into effect on 1 October.”
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Both the National Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority have indicated that they will not lift their ban on fox and trail hunting.
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Finally, Hankinson’s Appeal.
The simplistic view that the court found Hankinson not guilty of encouraging others to break the law is quite misleading. In paragraph 9 of the judgement the judges state, “having considered the words that were used we take the view that they were capable of encouraging the commission of illegal hunting“. The judgement appears to hang on the question, “Did the appellant intend to encourage the commission of an offence?” In this regard Hankinson claimed that the laying a trail or several trails was to confuse the Sabs. The judge also considered that Hankinson’s role within the Hunting Office was to ensure compliance with the law*, that he was a person of previously good character, and that the clearly stated purpose of the webinar was to inform and educate attendees as to the law and its compliance. The webinar was attended by in excess of 100 people which included police officers, lawyers and a member of the House of Lords. It would be unlikely that Hankinson would encourage such people to break the law. The judge must have not listened to the bit where one of the participants said “I hope no police are listening.”
For the above reasons the court did not believe that the criminal threshold of proof was reached, and that Hankinson’s intention was to encourage others to break the law.
The appeal against conviction was therefore allowed.
Perhaps the best bit of Mr Hankinson’s baloney is in the sentence, “when laying fake trails he said it was important to give the appearance of legitimacy to the saboteurs in order to confuse them as to which trail the hunt intended to follow“.
In fact, you can’t really blame the judge for not seeing how crass this statement was. Judges are probably not familiar with the fact that Sabs do not run around sniffing the ground looking for a trail, false or otherwise.
And how did Mr Hankinson do with encouraging compliance within the law? Here is a list of the pending court cases, with dates.

Jul/22. South Shropshire Hunt. Daniel Cherriman. Telford MC.
01/08/22. East Essex Hunt. Paul O’Shea. Sentencing
30/08/22. Dunston Harriers. 3 men. Norwich MC.
06/09/22. Wynnstay Hunt. Chris Woodward. Wrexham.
Sept/22. Beaufort Hunt. Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham.
17/10/22. South Dorset Hunt. Mark Pearson. Weymouth MC
15/11/22. Puckeridge Hunt. Arun Squire. Stevenage MC.
16/11/22 Fernie Hunt. William Hansen. Loughborough MC
17/11/22 Belvoir Hunt. John Holliday. Leicester MC.
13/03/23. Quorn Hunt. Chris Mardles. Nottingham CC.

Good job, Mr Hankinson.
————-

Friday 22nd July 2022

There is another court case looming. Three men from the Dunston Harriers have been charged with offences under the Hunting Act. The incident occurred on the 18th January 2022.
They should appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 30th August.
________

The hunt known as the North Norfolk Harriers has folded. This seems to be largely due to the activities of the Norwich HS. (Harrier hunts can go after hare and fox but this hunt seemed mainly to concentrate on hare hunting.) The hunt will now host the Nar Valley Bloodhounds who hunt an human scent.
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There are likely to be some court attendances this week, but not necessarily very much in the way of progress.
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Until recently there was a Herefordshire Hunt and a Clifton-on-Teme Hunt. Now there is a Hereford and Clifton Hunt and where once there were two hunts, now there is just one.
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Most of us know that the Met Police Force has been put into special measures.
What may have slipped your attention is that the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Police have also been placed in special measures. They are accused of being unable to respond to the public, protect vulnerable people, and a failure of strategic planning.
The Force blames Government cuts. The local Sabs ponder if the money spent on attending on Hunt days is money well spent.
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Weymouth Animal Rights group released video footage taken on the 8th of March 2022, of Terrier men from the South Dorset Hunt, first digging out a fox alive, and then rescuing their terrier. The fox is put into a box on the quad, as is the terrier. The video had been passed to the Police. The Police said there was insufficient evidence.
Any ordinary person watching the video might feel otherwise.
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Members of Action Against Foxhunting attended Chard Town Council meeting on 11th July 2022. Chard is the venue for the Cotley Harriers Boxing Day meet. AAF is asking the Town Council to consider their relationship with the hunt, possibly asking them not to meet in the town on Boxing Day. The joint master of the Cotley Hunt was also there. She was very upset at the prospect of losing the Boxing Day Meet venue, and issued an invitation for the councillors to come and see the hunt. Pip (AAF) accepted the invitation. However, at this time, no confirmation has been received from the hunt. The date of the visit is likely to be 4th August.  Pip is ready with key questions and is willing to look at REAL evidence that the hunt is trail hunting. But the evidence has to be convincing, otherwise no one will believe them. The Cotley Hunt is very unpopular in Chard, as AAF’s recent survey shows.
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Mark Hankinson’s appeal against his conviction for inciting criminal activity was successful. On 20 July, in Southwark Crown Court, HHJ G Perrins, James Tyerman JP andAlan Elias JP concluded:

“we cannot be sure to the criminal standard that the appellant intended to encourage the commission of a criminal offence. For those reasons the appeal against conviction is allowed”.
In other words, they could not dismiss the defence. While we don’t think that this decision will make any difference to hunting (they continued to hunt anyway, despite the exposé), it is annoying that the guilty man walked free. Also, the CPS have a lot to answer – why only Hankinson in court? Why not the others too?
_______

The National Trust have stated that they won’t change their minds about banning “trail” hunting from NT land, despite Hankinson’s successful appeal. They remain banned. We are waiting for other landowners (those that also banned the hunt) to respond.
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Wiltshire Rural Crime team unexpectedly made reference to illegal foxhunting in this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=419356576901230&id=100064806723694
Whatever inspired that? Could it be an acknowledgement of their appalling treatment  of sabs at the end of last season? Shame they couldn’t have made this post when the hunts are actually hunting. It’s out of season, so no one will see the hunts until cub hunting starts in August.
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In May Foxy Blether wrote that a friend of Prince William, namely William Van Cutsem, had been subjected to a police raid on his 4,400 acre Hillborough estate near Sandringham. He had a goshawk caught in a ladder trap which was baited with live pigeons. He was outraged that the police and RSPB had help from the Hunt Investigation Team.
The name William Van Cutsem has reared its head again, and this time in a very damning report in the Guardian newspaper.
A Guardian investigation has revealed that dozens of UK laws stipulate that police are barred from entering any of the Queen’s private estates without her consent to investigate crimes ranging from wildlife offences to environmental pollution .
One of the main incidents reported, involved the shooting of two Raptors, in 2007, whilst Prince Harry and a friend (William van Cutsem) were out supposedly shooting duck. Police were barred entry to make a timely search for evidence.
The Guardian reveals that Sandringham has been the focus of successive police and regulatory investigations.
Most of what the Guardian reports on, occurred up to about 2016, but it would appear that Mr Van Cutsem still believes that he is above the law and should not be subject to investigations about his bad behaviour. I suppose the attitude is, what it is good for Prince Harry should be good for him.
So the Royal estates and the Royal children do not get disciplined for what, to most of us, are quite egregious offences and fail to see that they should have standards that recognise we have laws about pesticides and persecution for a reason.
Their neighbours have the same sense of entitlement.
They (the Royals) not do themselves any favours.
Here is the link to the Guardian article:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/15/sandringham-estate-police-barred-investigating-wildlife-crime

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Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th century.
18 months ago a pair of Eurasian beavers were released at Hatchmere, near Delamere Forest, by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The beavers have successfully bred in Cheshire, for the first time in more than 400 years. Let’s hope the hunters manage to leave them alone.
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Thank you for reading.

Latest News March 4th 2023
5.23

Hunt Behaviour

On Saturday (18 Feb), North Staffordshire Hunt riders spilled unexpectedly onto a road a collision occurred between a car and a horse with rider. It would appear that the hunt removed themselves from the scene as quickly as possible leaving a rider lying in the road. The car was quite badly damaged, and the driver was shaken although otherwise “ok”.  We believe that both horse and rider were injured. The police and ambulance were quick to attend. (Staffordshire Hunt Sabs and Manchester Hunt Sabs covered the incident.) This incident is relevant for AAF’s Hunt Road Chaos campaign.
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Previous hunt accidents have also involved children.On 04/04/16, nine year old Bonnie Armitage was fatally injured when she was kicked by another horse whilst out with the Cotswold Hunt.
On 18/11/21, the two year old daughter of the master of the Bedale Hunt, Felicity Francis, died after falling from her pony whilst out with the hunt.
On 26/12/22, a 12 year old girl broke her leg whilst out with the Mendip Farmers Hunt for their Boxing Day meet at Priddy Green.
The hunts don’t seem to care about the risks with their children. Let’s hope the most recent accident puts children off hunting for ever.
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As you know, dogs from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a mine shaft on White Alice Farm, Cornwall, and had to be rescued. It turns out that the hunt did not have permission to be on the farm, so they were trespassing. Trespass is a clear indication of illegal foxhunting – hunts cannot expect us to believe they have laid a trail on someone else’s land.
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Fitzwilliam Hunt supporters attacked the vehicle belonging to Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs. An attempt to slash the tyres was made, but the knife was dropped, and windscreen wipers were damaged. Being able to hear the attack, the 999 controller advised the driver to do what was necessary to get out of the situation. Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs Facebook page names those involved.

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You may recall that the Avon Vale Hunt was videoed releasing dug out foxes to their hounds resulting in them being suspended by the British Hound Sports Association (revamped version of the Hunting Office). Drone footage taken by sabs of the Avon Vale Kennels, reveals dead hounds on the concrete floor and in an uncovered skip. Biosecurity appears non-existent. Trading standards has been informed in the past but there has been no improvement. Bath Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the footage.
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Mike Smith, senior master at the Avon Vale has also been permanently excluded by the British Hound Sports Association. He did not feature in the video, but the BHSA has decided he has to go as he was presiding over the illegal and cruel behaviour of the hunt. Of course, we don’t trust the motives of the BHSA as we know that what they are trying to do is preserve their “sport” as opposed to cleaning it up. 

On Saturday 25th Feb, two dogs from the Cheshire Hunt were struck by cars. The police appeared to advise them that they had dogs dangerously out of control and sent them packing (possibly with a dispersal notice). As they hacked back to their meet they took the opportunity to hunt yet another fox which sabs saw to safety.
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On 28/02/23  Three Counties Hunt Sabs reported two slashed  tyres, whilst sabbing the Heythrop Hunt and North Cotswolds Hunt.
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On 28/02/23 sabs from  Manchester and Staffordshire experienced an attack on one of their numbers, perpetrated by the Huntsman of the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt. The ‘provocation’ for the attack, if you can call it that, was they had obtained video footage of an injured hound with blood on it. Paul Larby’s assault on the sab and the breaking of a camera was recorded on several sab cameras and an investigation is thought to have been opened.  Staffordshire Police attended, but then the West Mercia Police also arrived.
*******

Police

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team have issued a Community Protection Warning against the Essex Farmer’s Hunt. This CPW is the direct result of a number of groups’ contributions: North London Hunt Sabs, Suffolk and East Essex Hunt Sabs, East Herts Sabs, Herts Wildlife Monitors, not to mention the members of the public who also provided the background evidence so the police could take action. 

East Essex Hunt supporters were ‘put in their place’ by a rebuke from the police who advised them not to block a public road.
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Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs’ report on the Cottesmore Hunt from Saturday has some interesting remarks in it. Police witnessed a fox being chased and sabs “remain hopeful that Leicestershire Police in general will deal with this matter in a firmer manner. They (the hunt) are now so out of control that even when approached by police they just shrug and carry on regardless. They have shown recently they have no respect for animals, (wildlife or their own,) the safety of other people, and no respect for the police.”
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Cumbria Hunt Sabs thanked the police for attending the Blencathra Fox Hounds who met on Sunday the 19th.
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Wiltshire Police have claimed, in a convoluted sort of a way, that it is fine for their officers to be associated with an organisation known for criminal activity. They have more than one officer that goes out hunting and they do not see a conflict of interest, nor do they see that it contradicts the oath they took when they assumed office. These officers, and other senior officers, fail to understand that the public should expect all police officers to be “squeaky clean” at all times, including in their private lives. Cheryl Knight, an officer in the Rural Crime Team, is a hunter and connected with the criminal Avon Vale Hunt.
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Wiltshire Hunt Sabs have organised a petition and a demo asking for this officer to be removed from the Rural Crime Team. The demonstration is planned for the 5th of March outside the Devizes Police Headquarters at 13.00. Here is the petition:

https://chng.it/XJJcWgjsbq
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Wiltshire Police continue to make things worse and worse. Their latest unnecessary FB post told us that they are seeking “independent advice” about how to deal with the proposed demo on 5th March, thereby implying that somehow “sabs” are the most violent sort of people. They appear to be fanning the flames. Is this deliberate? Would they like to see some unrest so that they can justify their biased attitude towards anti-hunting activists?
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Wiltshire Police deserve their own dedicated news bulletin, they feature so often in reports. BBC news reports that a former Police Inspector with the Wiltshire police (Ian Stevenson) has pleaded guilty to possessing extreme images involving bestiality. The force is in Special Measures.
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Cheshire Police seem to be one of the few bright spots in the policing of hunts. After a particularly bad hunting day (Ladies Day, Mon 13th) when the Cheshire Hounds seem to antagonise most of the countryside, by trespassing or badly frightening pregnant ewes, and horses, and cows, and treating farmers and landowners with contempt, Cheshire Police took some positive action. On Saturday (18th) they turned up with the intention of catching the hunts red-handed, or at least imposing some discipline upon them. They had officers with three cars, a drone, and most remarkably, two scrambling bikes which moved across the countryside with speed. The drone may even have recorded an active dig out. We are not privy to what the police gleaned from this operation, but it was undoubtedly a significant event.
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West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that the West Midlands Hunt abandoned their day of hunting after another quad bike was stopped, this time by an unmarked police car. (The police had  also stopped a quad bike on 13/02/23).
*******

Investigations and Prosecutions

The personal CCTV covering a Norfolk couple’s back garden revealed the West Norfolk Fox Hounds at large and out of control. They had killed a fox there and the actual kill is recorded on the video. Norfolk Police have arrested three men. Norfolk/Suffolk Hunt Sabs report, “We believe the men in custody to be Huntsman Mikey Bell, Whipper-in Adam Egginton, and Hunt Master Andrew Kendall. All three men are also under investigation for assault and robbery on one of our female sabs back in October.”

We now know their bail conditions:-
Not to take part in trail hunting activities.
Not to contact or interfere with witnesses.
Not to be in a public place in charge of a dog not on a lead.
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Norfolk Police booked two hunt supporters as they left the Waveny Hunt. One female was booked because she was using her mobile phone whilst driving. At least the police are now more willing to act against hunts and their lawlessness.
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The Times carried an article on Friday 17/02/23 stating that the Wynnstay Hunt was under investigation for illegal blocking of a badger sett. The headline ran, “Hunt run by friend of King Charles…”. The Times have video of the actual interference with the badger sett and the persons involved.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Hunt Master, George, of the Mendip Farmers Hunt using a whip on a hound.  The RSPCA are now investigating.
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Protect the Wild reports that Ryan Thomas Spence who had been convicted of hare coursing, appealed his sentence, and by so doing had the sentence increased. The sixth month driving ban, which was issued alongside his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and £1000 fine, was increased to 2 years beginning from the date of his appeal.
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Perhaps one of the significant developments that has occurred concerning foxhunting is the fact that the above incident was reported on ITV News. Both the BBC and ITV are more willing to report on foxhunting issues, although the ITV appears to be far ahead of the BBC in its willingness.

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Charles Carter and Guy Loader from the Royal Artillery Hunt were issued with Official Warning in accordance with Salisbury Plain Military Byelaws 1981 Sect 4 para 1&2 for deer chase 22 October 2022. Next time expect prosecution, their solicitor being kept busy.

*******
Mass Sab

On 22/02/23 four of the West Country Hunts had a joint meeting which attracted a mass sab. At least 12 different sab groups were involved. Although this was a joint meet by four hunts, the field only amounted to 30 or so riders. Worse from the hunt’s point of view, there were locals objecting to them

Campaigns

A long-haul Boxing Day campaign by AAF Somerset culminated in a show-down at the full public meeting of Somerset County Council on 22 February. Alyson Rogers, Somerset Coordinator, joined Pip Donovan to speak at the meeting. Alyson’s powerful speech, in which she described how she was intimidated, imprisoned and threatened by followers of the Cotley Hunt during their Boxing Day Meet in Chard was picked up by the local press.
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It turns out that practically every county has a Public Space Protection Order making it an offence for an owner to fail to pick up dog faeces – and nearly every one of them has no exemption for hounds. AAF is expecting a large number of hunts to either be fined for offences, or have to get off their horses and (just like everyone else) deploy a poo bag. For more information, click here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

 

Opinion

One of the more egregious statements contained in the review of North Wales policing came from one of their eight officers who gave evidence. He clearly showed his bias towards hunts with the statement that it was normally sabs that initiated violence. How would he know? The police are never there when violence kicks off, and if they were, it probably would not kick off in the first place. In making a statement like that, he chose to be loyal to the hunt and not to his own force, who are trying to improve their practices. That to one side, there is a revealing remark in the North Wales Hunt Sabs report on the Flint And Denbigh Hunt (18th Feb). “One supporter then walked over to the vehicle and struck the sab in the face through the open window. Fortunately for the attacker this is just the type of behaviour that the North Wales police tolerate… well from the hunt anyway“.  There has to be a significant change in attitude from the police in North Wales if they want to improve their relationship with animal welfare activists.
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It might be worth reminding ourselves how the Norfolk Police were just a year ago.

Norfolk/Suffolk HS report on the West Norfolk Fox Hounds for 07/02/22:

“… A further three 999 calls were made, each time the call handler told the sab that they were trying to get to them but each time no one came.“

Further down the same report, “A further 999 call was made but this time the Sab was treated like a nuisance, told that the police had already been and that this incident had been dealt with and then hung up on the desperate Sab as the hounds continued to chase a fox in front of her.“

“At approximately 4 pm the hunt headed in the direction of the meet just as a police car appeared at the meet also. Police appeared to have a nice friendly chat with the hunters who had by now enjoyed a full five hours of hunting and chasing Mammals with hounds, contrary to the hunting act.”

This following link to an article on the Avon Vale Hunt and Wiltshire Police is an eye opener.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/good-riddance-to-the-avon-vale-hunt/?fbclid=IwAR0sFPiSifTljPUrLmacnBf11faVV0AzF1rAJFq776Sw-t0mYi0vspqBZ_E&h=AT03AQjD6mNi4x2XfN9jfs_rsT1Lzj4HF_FP73v1vhtNlDhuFE8vyRpSEw6Pw8YadPrWy9AZLKznNIFZlNQRthvltx-ty1UBjsdQDduXbJKJqldh8BpBEEjL8_gClXpz5k0neJRYeL1MG6o&s=1

 

Latest News 18th Feb 2023
4.23

Investigations & prosecutions

On Wed 8^th Feb, ITV released footage of the Avon Vale Hunt (AVH) digging out two foxes and releasing them in front of hounds. (This is the same hunt that attacked a sab last March causing a bleed on the brain.) On Friday, three members of the hunt were arrested. Yesterday, Tuesday 14/02/23, a further two people (a man and a woman) both aged 25, were arrested and subsequently released pending further investigation.
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Myles O’Connor of the Scottish Buccleuch Hunt was due in court on 14/02/23 due to illegal hunting. We all hope the hunt will not survive the change in Scottish law.
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Cottesmore huntsman, Sam Jones, was videoed jumping a gateway and landing on a sab. He has now been arrested by Leicestershire Police. (The shocking video can be seen on the Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs Facebook page as well as the BBC news website.)
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Georgina Price of the Royal Artillery Hunt has accepted a police caution for having used her horse in an attempt to ride down two Sabs. This is the hunt that uses MOD land on Salisbury Plain and the one that Ben Wallace MP supports. The offence occurred on 05/11/22.  Surrey Hunt Sabs Facebook page carries the video.
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A hunt supporter from the Beaufort Hunt was fined by Gloucester Police for “disorder” on 21st November 2022. He drove erratically and threatened a sab. Police concluded the investigation and informed sabs on 14th Feb 2023.
*******

Police

Warwickshire Police who issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Public Control Notice (PCN), pulled over another of the hunt’s quads again this week. The landowning rider of the quad had two terrier dogs with him.
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Chief Superintendent Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Force is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for hunting. In an article in The Times on 13th Feb, he publicly praised Wiltshire Hunt Sabs for the work they’ve been doing and for helping to deal with the Avon Vale Hunt and its dig out of foxes to be released to hounds. Chief Superintendent Longman wants: “police forces to work with the “volunteers” who monitor hunts so they [the volunteers] could learn how to provide the kind of evidence, such as unedited and time-stamped footage, that could lead to successful prosecutions.” Mr Longman also revealed there had been a sea change in the way that police understand hunting across England and Wales, (particularly as a result of the successful prosecution of Mark Hankinson). We also learned that ”Two police forces in England and Wales are now treating hunts operating in their areas as Organised Crime Groups.“  The change is due, in part to a number of high-ranking police officers having the courage to challenge the general police ethos – that hunts tell the truth and animal welfare volunteers are just trouble makers.
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Cast your mind back to Lacock on Boxing Day 2021. Laura Hughes, a serving Wiltshire Police Officer and member of the Avon Vale Hunt, was one of three officers who failed to keep the peace at the demonstration. Officer Hughes made things a great deal worse by yelling in the face of protesters and, later on, Wiltshire Police denied that her presence was inflammatory. Are Wiltshire Police planning on rethinking that conclusion, now we all know that AVH have been caught hunting illegally?
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Nottinghamshire Hunt Sabs have a special comment in their report from 02/02/23 on their sab of the Burton Hunt. “Special mention to the truly (expletive deleted) useless pair from Lincolnshire Police who timed their arrival perfectly to miss all the illegal hunting and still give sabs a hard time.” There is a lot of bitterness towards the police this year. Is this because some forces are changing their attitude towards illegal hunting and sab groups feel that all forces should be changing?
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Hunts are finding that not all police can be relied on to dance to the hunt’s tune. East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt called the police because they were being followed from the kennels and were claiming harassment. When the police arrived, the sabs pointed out that the brake lights on the hound trailer were not working and the numberplate on the trailer did not match the towing vehicle. The police ignored the harassment complaint, but advised the driver of the hound van that he was not legal to continue. A little later,  hounds from this hunt were seen chasing a fox across Barkway Golf Course. The huntsman was nowhere in sight, so sabs tried to round them up in case they were hit by a golf ball.  
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South Coast Hunt Sabs report that the Sussex Police delayed them while they did a vehicle check. Since sab vehicles are regularly targeted by the police the vehicles are always completely above board. If police were also seen to check hunt vehicles, this would not be such a bone of contention – but it is rare for any sab group to report this happening.
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After a generally held view that the Cheshire police were improving, last Saturday a kennel watcher was delayed by a Police Sergeant at the entrance to the Cheshire Forest Hunt kennels and when questioned about the timing of his tactics, he did not deny that it was intended to let the hunt out. As the public are becoming more aware of the criminality of hunts particularly in the last few weeks, it might be advisable for the police to make sure they have a consistent policy that is defendable. Appearing to help criminality is unacceptable.

*******

Hunt behaviour

The Hunting Office (HO) now renamed the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is thought to have been in possession of the AVH  footage for several weeks and it is reported that the event occurred on 20/12/22. The BHSA advised hunts not to take terriers out this weekend. This advice was widely ignored by hunts. The BHSA, in a desire to appear authoritative and in control dismissed the AVH from their organisation. They feigned shock at the appalling conduct of the hunt but have taken no action against Mr Ollie Finnegan who has very recently pleaded guilty to illegal foxhunting and is now with the Cheshire Hounds.
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Last week we heard about the demise of the Fife Fox Hounds. This week we can report that there is an advertisement inviting a professional or amateur to apply for the role of Huntsman to the Fife Bloodhounds. It looks as though Fife is to get a new bloodhound pack.
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Rumour Control has it that the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt will fold at the end of this season. It has yet to be confirmed.
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The Essex Farmers Hunt, tried to use speed to get away from the North London Sabs. The sabs described it saying,  “it was more like sabotaging a steeple chase!” This hunt was minus its terrier men – were they (unlike many other hunts) actually doing what their governing body advised and not engaging in terrier work?

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Bristol Hunt Sabs report that the Berkeley Hunt hunted through a deer park on Saturday 11^th Feb, where all dogs are supposed to be on leads.

At the end of the hunting day on 1st Feb, the Huntsman from the Weston and Banwell Hunt reversed his hound trailer into the sab vehicle damaging the bumper. He refused to provide insurance details and the dash cam footage has been forwarded to the police.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs had tyres slashed while out with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds on the 11/02/23. They had already seen death of a hunted fox. Levels of violence are expected to increase in Scotland for the last few weeks of this season, as the change in the law might well finish off some of the Scottish hunts. Since police often say they are not there to stop hunting but to make sure there is no breach of the peace, we hope the Scottish Police are sufficiently on the ball to recognise that violence perpetrated towards sabs is likely to be at an all-time high. It is thought their huntsman, Fraser Campbell is going down to Cheshire for next season.
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On 1st February, Three Counties Hunt Sabs report on the Worcestershire Hunt tells us that a sab ”was held up looking after a disabled gentleman at the church who said he had been assaulted by the terriermen, who had punched him to the floor and stolen his walking stick. Our sab called West Mercia Police and paramedics, and he was taken to hospital with a really swollen face to be checked over from potential fractures to his neck, eye socket, cheek, jaw, and probably other parts of his body.”
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On 7^th Feb, hounds from the Four Burrows Hunt fell down a disused mine shaft near Porkellis, Cornwall, whilst the hunt was out hunting foxes in the area. It’s believed three hounds fell in, but sabs noted that the hunt (who continued their activities despite the accident) had far fewer hounds than usual, so they suspected the number of hounds in the mine was greater than they made out. The hounds were all rescued overnight.
_______
On 4th February, The Bicester Hunt invaded an alpaca farm and terrified pregnant females.  The owner was furious and expected an apology from the hunt. But as none was forthcoming, he phoned the hunt master and interrupted his dinner to ask what exactly he and his hounds were playing at trespassing on his land.

*******

Public Outrage

Is the hunts’ grip on the countryside is slipping? Last Monday (13th) the sabs in Cheshire encountered a farmer who was so angry with the Cheshire Hunt that he seized his shotgun and discharged two shots into the air to warn the hunt and hounds to get off his land. This was in addition to a number of furious sheep farmers, a horse-owner trying to ensure the pack didn’t encroach on their farm and another farmer who was quietly helpful. The Countryside Alliance claims to represent all rural people. However, it only represents those who are pro-foxhunting. It does not represent rural people who object to fox hunting, and these people are in the majority, as indicated by AAF’s  Rural Survey from 2022.
_______

Mike Hill

This week saw the 32nd anniversary of the death of Mike Hill. He died under the back wheels of a trailer driven by a hunt member who was careering wildly down the road trying to throw the sabs out of the trailer. The police weren’t interested and the driver is still engaged in hunting activities.
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Chief Vet is a hunter

Liz Gorse is the Chief Vet for the British Hounds Sports Association and she hunts with the Cheshire Forest. In 2020 her son was convicted and was “banned from caring, breeding and farming animals for the next 10 years“. 8 Cows, 3 calves and 2 sheep were found dead and decomposing on the farm. Liz Gorse the owner of the farm.

actually, People don’t hate foxes

Students from the Royal Agricultural University seriously misjudged the opinion of the majority when they thought it would be a good idea to strap a dead fox to the roof of their car for a charity rally. Like those who fox hunt, they believe that foxes deserve to be treated cruelly and justify it by calling them “pests”. However, the delusional students failed to anticipate the public backlash. They are now waiting for disciplinary action by the University.   

Campaigns

AAF have launched two new “Catch them at it and Report it” campaigns – Hound Faeces and Road Chaos. In public areas, hunts should pick up after their hounds, but generally, they don’t bother. This includes grass verges on country lanes. If they do not – and they are reported – they should be fined.

Also, hunts cannot take risks with their own safety or the safety of others on  roads.  Again, report them. All information you need can be found on these links:

Hunt Road Chaos Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-reporting-it-to-the-health-and-safety-executive/

Hound Faeces Link

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hounds-and-faeces-reporting-breaches-to-the-council/

Landowners

Do you know of a landowner who allows hunting on their land? If the prosecution of the land-owning Drewetts is successful, all landowners should think twice before allowing the hunt on their land. Download this letter, print it and send it to the landowners.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Letter-to-Landowner-Oct-22.pdf

 

 

Latest News 4th Feb 2023
3.23

BAD NEWS FOR HUNTS

The Airedale Beagles pack has folded. They had been hunting hares since 1891 and this was one of the oldest beagle packs in the country.
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Fife Fox Hounds Hunt has come to an end. This was a 200 year old hunt, finished (we believe) because of the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
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On 24/01/23, the Scottish Government voted to pass the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. It doesn’t look water tight, but nonetheless it is seen as a big improvement. Trail hunting is included in the ban. Banning trail hunting in Scotland is a pre-emptive move. The new bill has removed the Scottish hunts’ means of getting around the existing Scottish legislation, which was different from the English legislation.  The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 allows hunts to use a whole pack of dogs to “flush a fox to guns”, meaning the hunts could effectively hunt as they always had. On the other hand, English law limits the number of dogs used to “flush a fox” to two, meaning the hunts had to find another “legal” way of continuing to hunt with a full pack – hence the invention of “trail hunting” which (they claimed) only mimicked real hunting. Fully aware that trail hunting is a smokescreen for fox hunting, the Scottish Government has wisely prevented it from starting.

*******

INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

Further details have emerged about the police raid on 18/01/23. Six men were  arrested and 22 dogs seized in a police operation involving Kent, Norfolk, Sussex, and Thames Valley police, and the RSPCA.  The Guardian reports, “it is understood that they were suspected of acting as terrier men, preventing foxes going to ground so the mammals can be caught by dogs.” Evidence from their phones could be crucial.
_______
Mark Harris, terrier man for the Spooners and West Dartford Hunt, has been found guilty of an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992). He caused a terrier to enter a protected sett. He said he was instructed to flush and kill the fox by the huntsman Guy Morlock. Mr Harris was ordered to pay a fine of £1000, a victim surcharge of £100 and Crown costs of £900.
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A few weeks ago, the CPS dropped a case against a hunt supporter for attacking a sab, causing a brain bleed. The victim has asked the CPS for a review and this has been accepted.

HUNT BEHAVIOUR

North London Hunt Sabs Facebook page show a very brief video of the quad bike assault on their sab. The hunt involved is the East Essex Hunt. The date of the incident was 14/01/23. Police are taking the incident very seriously and are investigating.
_______
On Sunday 29^th January, Weymouth Animal Rights and AAF met in Milborne Saint Andrew to protest outside the South Dorset Hunt’s Point to Point event. After the hound display, protesters noticed that one dog had been left behind and was running about alone. Hunt staff took no action. The frightened dog struggled through a hedge and out into the road, running in front of cars, queueing to enter the event. While none of those attending the event showed any concern, protesters immediately went to help the dog. Eventually, a member of the hunt came out and approached the dog, who cowered when he grabbed her.
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The Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt turned up at Bellever Forestry Commission car park, probably hoping to trespass on FC land, from which they are banned. However, they found sabs (Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs) already there, so they moved on.

*******

POLICE

North Wales Police accepted assurances from the Flint and Denbigh that they were not going out hunting on 21/01/23, but once they thought the coast was clear the F and D went out hunting in the afternoon. The sabs were on to it very quickly, not so the police.
_______
On Saturday (28/01/23) the Wynnstay pursued a fox. The Cheshire Monitors hit report states, “… but we were very grateful to locals for joining in to stop them and the police officers standing guard over a fox they’d seen running for its life!”
_______
Cheshire monitors report for the Wynnstay Hunt on the 29th of January includes the paragraph, “the police that attended all day were good this week and we were really pleased with their input. It’s a shame it can’t always be like that.“
*******

sabs

On Saturday 21/01/23 there was a “mass sab” of the South Dorset Hunt, with perhaps as many as 18 different  groups being involved. The mass sab was to indicate support for the local groups who had had a lone monitor beaten with metal bar.  During the day, another sab was run down by a terrier man on a quad. Sabs have also endured violence and intimidation and had 17-19 tyres slashed in one short period. Dorset Police have a sergeant that goes fox hunting.
_______
The Severn Vale Beagles was successfully sabbed by the Severn Vale Hunt Sabs. All the beagle packs are vulnerable to sabbing, and this one, too, is feeling pressure. Beagle packs hunt hares and the hunt are on foot.
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The independent review of the North Wales Constabulary policing of  hunts was published on 12/01/23. The Countryside Alliance then published a number of articles focusing on  parts of the report that appeared to discredit saboteurs. However, Protect the Wild has also reviewed the report and their conclusion is the police should just do their job properly.
*******

CAMPAIGNS

AAF (Action Against Foxhunting) have examined 2022 Boxing Day and New Year’s Day town meets and catalogued the results. Given the number of hunts involved this was a mammoth task. They also offer to assist anyone who wants to see their local hunt ousted from their town. They have developed expertise which they are happy to share. The link lets you view their opus, and is an easy read summary.

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-day-meet-2022-roundup/
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AAF is also stepping up their campaign to challenge the hunts abuse of roads, where they are always causing obstructions and chaos. Further advice can be found here:

https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/hunt-road-chaos-and-healthsafety/

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

To see all previous issues, click here: https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/headlines/

 

Latest news 20th January 23

2/23

Prosecutions

Gamekeeper Paul Scott Allen admitted guilt in Weymouth Magistrates Court. Sentencing is due on 16/02/23. The offences occurred over a period of time. Allen pleaded guilty to seven charges – two of possession of six dead buzzards, and the remains of three more; three charges of keeping banned pesticides and two charges of failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and firearms certificates. 
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On 06/01/23, the trial of Shaun Parish, 33, and Jacob Whalley, 30, of Milton Park in Peterborough was postponed as a witness was unable to attend. It will take place on May 11 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. The men, from the Fitzwilliam Hunt are charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs on March 5^th last year.
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Hartley Crouch, Whipper-in for the Pytchley Hunt, has been successfully prosecuted by Northamptonshire Police. He stole a pet sheep, killed it, skinned it, and fed it to the hounds. The charge was theft. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £775 in costs £150 in compensation and a surcharge of £22.
Late news: Mr Crouch was sacked by the Pytchley and then was going to go to the Beauvoir Hunt. They dropped him, but he is now a whipper-in with the Cottesmore Hunt.
_______

Andrew Pope, a long time follower of the Weston & Banwell Hunt, admitted guilt to the police and was given a conditional caution. On 21 Dec 21, he tailgated a sab vehicle, and used a thick heavy stick to hit the vehicle windows. The windows stayed intact, but Pope forced his way into the back of the vehicle and started to attack the sabs with the stick. One sab from WAR sustained heavy bruising to their knee and side of their body. This aggressive outburst was witnessed by Pope’s young child. Pope agreed to write a letter of apology to the injured sab. If he repeats this behaviour, he will go straight to court.

******

Corruption

After Ben Wallace MP and Minister of Defence, decided to terminate the arrangement allowing the League Against Cruel Sports to monitor the Royal Artillery Hunt on Salisbury Plain, the Quorn took it upon themselves to hunt on a military base. The land in question is at the Defence Animal Training Centre in Melton Mowbray. Objections to the hunts’ use of MOD land are ongoing, but those who a manage the land (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) refuse to make any changes.

********

Police

On 18/01/23, together with the RSPCA, police raided the home of a terrier man from the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The hunt killed a fox on Saturday 14^th Jan, and assaulted sabs.
_______

Devon County Hunt Sabs have video footage of the Eggesford Hunt making a kill on New Year’s Day. Devonshire police did attend the meet, but they didn’t stay to watch any of the actual hunting. In contrast, on 04/01/23 Cheshire police officers left their cars and proceeded on foot across fields in pursuit of the Cheshire Hounds.
_______

In September last year, Leicestershire Police had a zoom meeting where various anti hunt persons  (including AAF) were invited to attend. The two officers representing Leicestershire Police were genuine and they want to work more closely with anti-hunting groups. However, Northants Hunt Sabs report that on 7^th January while sabbing the Cottesmore Hunt, the sab vehicle was delayed by an Leicestershire police officer who insisted on checking Insurance validation and driver details.

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On 08/01/23, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report for that Wiltshire Police were “hobnobbing” with a shooting party  but performed no vehicle checks. However the numberplate WV** AFY was out with the shoot and its MOT expired 22/12/22. 
_______

On 10/01/23, Will Goffe from the Warwickshire Hunt, (the hunt with the Community Protection Notice), spent 30 minutes hiding in a quarry with the hounds whilst Warwickshire Police were in the vicinity.
_______

On 07/01/23, Sheffield Hunt Sabs posted a video of sabs confronting the man with a knife who had just slashed their tyres. The attacker was arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, something that probably would not have occurred without the temerity and presence of mind of the Sheffield Sabs.
_______

An independent review of the policing of hunts in North Wales has been published. It was commissioned by the PCC for North Wales Police and it is probably most intended for his reading although no doubt others will be pouring over it.
_______

On 30/09/22, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull’s car was surrounded by aggressive men and one man attempted to gain entry. He damaged the vehicle while making threats of violence. The group provided statements and video evidence to the police. Part of the police response reads, “after reviewing all the evidence my sergeant has made the decision to take no further action regarding this incident due to evidential reasons.” Previously, Wiltshire Police refused to take action against the hunt member who threw a sab into a ditch resulting in a bleed on the brain.
*******

Hunt Behaviour and violence

On 14/01/23, West Kent Hunt Hunt Sabs filmed Matthew Vater, the huntsman with the East Kent Hunt with West Street, repeatedly riding at a sab. He later knocked one female sab into the air with his horse. They also killed a fox in front of sabs.
_______

On 07/02/1/23 female members of Cumbria Hunt Sabs were threatened and then attacked by members of North Cumberland Foxhounds.
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On 14/01/23, Cheshire Hounds held a three way joint meet with the Tynedale Hunt and the North Staffordshire Hunt. A hunt member threatened to break both the arms of a sab and also those of an independent monitor. The threat is recorded and the police have the information.
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The Wynnstay Hunt made it into the national press with the Mirror showing the video clip of the huntsman charging his horse at the Cheshire monitor’s runner and half screaming “I’ll kill you.” The incident happened on 7^th January.

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On 07/01/23, Cheshire Against Bloodsports report that Cheshire Hounds appeared to cause the death of a pregnant ewe. They are very complementary about the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, who actually took details of the huntsman from the huntsman.
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On 14/01/23, another sheep died after the Grafton Hunt went through a field full of pregnant ewes. The farmer said “The sheep were now mixed with a neighbour’s flock and one was dead in the river”. Police are investigating.
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On 14/01/23,, the Essex and Suffolk Hunt hunted on MOD land.  A local resident reported the killing of a fox but the hunt have denied it.

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On 10/01/23, Sheffield Sabs were again attacked, and the video evidence is extensive. The attacker continued whilst being filmed by various cameras. At that same meet of the Grove and Rufford, hounds trespassed and ran along an active railway line not long before a train passed. Again there is video evidence of the trespass.

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On 14/01/23, West Sussex Hunt Sabs had a rough time. The vehicle was blocked by a dairy stockman and then driven into from the side by a woman from the farm, using a low loader – a bailer with forks attached. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. The report does not say how well covered this incident is with video but the police appear to have been informed.

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The South Dorset Hunt are suspected of a number of violent and unpleasant incidents. On 14/01/23, a member of Weymouth Animal Rights found two dead foxes in her back garden. Both animals had met violent deaths. On the same day, a monitor watching the South Dorset Hunt was hit in the back by a projectile – possibly a ball bearing fired from a catapult. The monitor was seriously bruised. Police were called and spoke to convicted hunt master, Mark Pearson. A police firearms team arrived. WAR report that “unbelievably they (the police) did not search the suspects or even pull them over”.
Additionally, North Dorset Hunt Sabs had another vehicle tyre incident. The report reads “after the hunt had finished a sab was driven to collect her car and on arrival was informed by a resident that a masked, hooded quad person had started letting down the tyres. He was prevented from completing the task when a police officer appeared who was about to leave for duty.
A couple of weeks ago, the South Dorset Hunt were suspected of slashing of 17-19 tyres belonging to animal welfare persons. They are also suspected of assaulting a monitor with a metal bar.
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On 14/01/23, a Land Rover from the Worcester Hunt drove at foot sabs from the Herefordshire Hunt Sabs. The sab vehicle was also attacked.
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On 14/01/23, The Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed terrier men netting the exit of an artificial earth and preparing to put a terrier down another entrance. The sab group was  pleased with a police response, saying: “Gloucestershire Police attended promptly, efficiently, and the matter is being dealt with.”
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On 14/01/23, Mendip Farmers Hunt hunted through Chew Valley Animal Park. The owner described how hounds were in cry and jumping into animal pens with terrified goats and camels and traumatising other resident animals. There is CCTV evidence of the trespass. The Mendip Farmers Hunt continued, trespassing on more private land upsetting the landowners horses.

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Other News

On 14/01/23, West Cornwall Hunt Sabs found something else to do after turning up at the Western Hunt meet and finding nothing going on. They tell us: “We spotted this little dude (a bird) sat in the middle of the road about to get squished! He was all hunched and soaked in a puddle. Never flinched when we scooped him up. We have a fantastic bird rehabber on the team. Luckily, it looks like he had just got a bit cold and wet. With a check over and dried off under a heat lamp he was fit to fly free again.”

 

Check that you’ve signed this petition:
https://www.change.org/RichardDraxMP

Thank you for reading and thank you to those whose reports we have used. If you spot any errors, please contact us on info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

Latest News  7 January 2023

1/23

Coming Soon

“Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Meets” – Special edition of Latest News  coming soon. If you went to a meet, please tell AAF about it here:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/data-collection-boxing-day-2022-and-new-years-day-meets-2023/

 

POLICE

The Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. In May, they issued the Hunt with a warning notice about the antisocial use of the country road network but the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN. The Police statement reads:- “The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point.Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“

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This is a sentence from the East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs: –

“Every week they kill foxes, block us in, break the law, but when we call the police they very rarely attend, when the hunts call them full of lies and fabricated stories they turn up then harass.”

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The West Kent Hunt Sabs also understand about police harassment. On 17th December, police arrested a sab for standing outside the kennels and his offence was… harassment!

(The video of the incident leading to the arrest shows that the sab was arguing with the police, and this was too much for them to bear and so he was arrested for whatever came into their mind. In this case harassment.) Kent Police are being advised by an ex huntsman whose name is Mike Bax. There is now a petition asking for the removal of Mike Bax as an advisor to the Kent police. Additionally, the Kent Police Officer, Bethan Dumbarton-Scott, is in a relationship with the East Kent huntsman Matthew Vater.

https://www.change.org/p/remove-mike-bax-as-key-advisor-to-kent-police-on-rural-crime

Please sign it.

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Cast your mind back to 2016, and you might remember PC Claire Ford said she was off-duty but nonetheless took it upon herself to assist the Cheshire Hounds by removing sabs from the area they were hunting. She was driving around on a quad at the time.The police review said that she was preventing a breach of the peace. The police investigation whitewashed her offences but she was moved to routine policing in Congleton. To the best of our knowledge she did not go out again, supporting the hunt. PC Claire Ford (now, Claire Roberts) has now, not only been dismissed from the Cheshire Police Force but has incurred a suspended prison sentence (8 months suspended for 18 months), 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. She imparted information gleaned through the police to a private individual. The conduct was detected by Staffordshire Police, and Cheshire police did an audit of her use of the police computers. There are elements of the police force that would like to work closer with sabs, but the sabs will not work with them, they are not trusted. This case highlights how untrustworthy some police can be. You wouldn’t even need access to the police computers if you are a hunt sympathiser and in the police force. You could form your own WhatsApp group (like the Charing Cross police) and information can flow freely but undetected. And yet police forces throughout the country continue to accept police officers within their ranks who are clearly involved with hunts.

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Wiltshire Police learned from last year’s riot at the Avon Vale Hunt’s Boxing Day Meet in Lacock. Last year, an officer who rides with the hunt attended the meet, violence erupted and several hunt supporters were prosecuted and convicted. This year, officers were asked to step out if they had any association with a hunt. Police also booked some hunt supporters for illegal parking. If police really do want to improve relations with hunt sabs and monitors, they should follow Wiltshire’s lead, and at the very least, ask officers if they are associated with the hunt in any way before allowing them to attend calls relating to hunting activity.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 22/12/22 the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt were hosted at the Horsehill Farm Livery, the running of which is assisted by a serving Dorset police officer. The parents of the officer go out with the hunt. On 22 November, The BSV were videoed encouraging hounds to chase a fox out of its hiding place in a hollow tree. The video very clearly shows illegal hunting. However, to date, no Dorset officer has been assigned this case to investigate. We don’t believe this is a coincidence.

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North London Hunt Sabs report that last February the Puckeridge Hunt were able to co-opt the police force to the hunt’s benefit. Since then, the sabs have engaged with the Hertfordshire Police who have had some relevant training arranged and provided by the League Against Cruel Sports. This year the Puckeridge Hunt was not able to co-opt the police as their private security.
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On 29/12/22 supporters from The South Dorset Hunt got a bit uppity and drove dangerously at the sab Landy. The police were called. Two cars turned up within minutes. Dash cam footage is being forwarded to the police. The police, having been requested, remained for the rest of the day.
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The Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs page report for the 31/12/22 meet states,  “the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt were yesterday challenged by police officers from Essex Police Rural Engagement  Team. Weapons and phones were seized after a member of the public… was assaulted…by” members of the hunt.  If the Essex Police follow through with their investigations they will be held in high regard by much of the animal welfare community.

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Hunt Behaviour and Violence

Tue 19/12/22 –  Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) report that two supporters of the South Dorset Hunt attacked a hunt monitor with a metal bar. He had serious head injuries as well as injuries to his hands and body and he was robbed of his camera. Their Huntsman, Mark Pearson was found guilty of fox hunting on 19/10/22. The victim – a well-known, longstanding, deeply-respected monitor, received immense support from the rest of the Dorset anti-blood sports community, not to mention four very nice bottles of red wine from AAF.  Will Dorset Police take action?  (Last March the Wiltshire police had video evidence relating to an attack on a sab, which left him in a ditch with a bleed on the brain. After a delay of over six months the Wiltshire police then dropped the case.)-On Boxing Day, supporters from the same hunt (South Dorset) slashed 19 tyres on WAR’s vehicles. The hunt PR system got into action as by the following morning (27th Dec) the front page of the Telegraph had an anodyne 2 column inches (and further coverage about hunts on Page 6) asking members not to engage with sabs. The DT deprived their readership of information indicating how extensive and pre planned this vandalism was. Of the 19 tyres slashed, four occurred as the hunt set out from the meet, with non-hunt participants having their car surrounded and all four tyres slashed. This triggered a response from the Police Armed Response Unit as it involved knife crime. (Don’t all tyre slashing events involve knife crime)? Weymouth Animal Rights and North Dorset Hunt Sabs both got their vehicles retyred in record time and were on the scene for sabbing duties by 12 noon, much to the hunt’s chagrin, as they believed they had neutralised the sabs for their day’s hunt.

(Weymouth Animal Rights Facebook page gives a fuller account.)
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Two more tyres slashed courtesy of Grove and Rufford, and one courtesy of the Isle of Wight Hunt.
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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that on 21/12/22 they were escorting the Western and Banwell Harriers with West Somerset Vale Hunt back to their kennels when there was an attack on the sab vehicle. The assailant had swerved in front of them forcing them to stop, grabbed a hefty walking stick and then proceeded to attack the vehicle, open the back door and apparently attack the sabs as well. They have clear video footage of the incident which is being submitted to the police, who incidentally were in attendance very quickly.
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Devon County Hunt Sabs report the Boxing Day Meet of the Eggesford Hunt resulted in two violent events. The Huntsman Jason Marles struck a sab on the head with the handle of his riding crop. A supporter rammed a sab with a quad causing a leg injury.
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Sabs from various groups sabbed the Wynnstay and Cheshire Hounds this week. A terrier quad tried to reverse into a sab and then drove forward deliberately striking a sab on the arm. Police were called and did respond.
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The East Yorkshire Coast Sabs caught on camera a head-butting assault on one of their sabs. They will pass it to the police but are not confident of any action or reaction from them.
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The Warwickshire Hunt, the hunt with the Public Community Notice (CPN) was out on the 28th. Their conduct was clearly modified by the presence of Warwickshire Rural Police and they had to abandon the chase of a fox. The hunt still managed to get themselves filmed causing traffic disruption on the A425, which is very unwise. It would appear that 2 police forces showed a presence as the Northants police also turned up, but their objective seemed to be to have been to put pressure on the sabs, which failed miserably, and might even cause a certain amount of conflict between forces. Let’s hope so. On the 29th the hunt was out again and Will Goffe was asked if he had notified the police specifically of times they were crossing roads (in compliance with the CPN)… because the sabs had (noted it). 

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Mass Sabbing

On 2 Jan, Surrey Hunt sabs were joined by a number of other groups – South Coast, Brighton, Reading, Kingston, some Irish sabs from Connacht & Leinster and Surrey Hunt Monitors – to spoil the Surrey Union’s day. The hunt met next to Hankley Common – MOD land. They packed up by 2pm. Some locals (with children) thanked the sabs for being there and we have it on good authority that the children firmly believe that sabs are heroes (we agree).
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Corruption

Ben Wallace MP, ex Sandhurst, and Minister for Defence has suspended a memorandum of understanding with the League against Cruel Sports (LACS) whereby the MOD would inform LACS of where the hunt would take place so they could monitor the hunt for legal activity. The outcome of that is, of course, to help a hunt, particularly the Royal Artillery Hunt. It also openly indicates that the party of Law and Order thinks that Law and Order should not inhibit the hunt from their illegal activity. The HSA has released a censored email showing the frustration of MOD staff in dealing with the RA Hunt stating that any other organisation behaving the way the hunt behaved, would be banned from MOD land ( notably Salisbury Plain). The email also showed that the hunt were booking to hunt on one part of the Plain, while actually intending to hunt in a different area. The arrangement with LACS was mentioned and hey presto, it was AFTER this that Mr Wallace decided to end it, citing bad behaviour by LACS!

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Investigations, prosecutions and convictions

Thu 22/12/22 West Midlands Hunt Sabs report that Gavin Field, a core member of the Warwickshire Hunt ,accepted a caution under section 4A of the Public Order Act for causing fear, alarm or distress after he was filmed stealing the keys from a sab vehicle and running off with them. He then threw them over the hedge shouting “here’s your f***g keys“.
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The Essex and Suffolk Hunt were caught red-handed digging out a fox. On Boxing Day, while their Master was making the oddest of speeches at their meet, Suffolk Against Foxhunting slipped away and found terrier men  loitering around a badger set, and while they were asking them what they thought they were playing at, a beautiful fox popped out of the hole. Police are investigating.

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Struggling Hunts

East Herts Hunt Sabs report that the Puckeridge Hunt will amalgamate with the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt next year.

The Cheshire Monitors’ take on the Wynnstay Hunt makes interesting reading. They really do feel the hunt is under pressure in every way… a huntsman having to lie under oath over and over again, locals standing up against the hunt and feeding information back to the monitors, money troubles, and strife within their own camp.

Thank you for reading. If you spot any inaccuracies, or would like to give feedback, please either leave a comment or email info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org

 

Latest News 17 December 2022

Hunt Behaviour

Many hunts decided not to go out this week because of the very cold weather. This gave sabs, monitors and wildlife a bit of a break. The Wynnstay ventured out on foot but when the huntsman realised he had sabs present, he returned to base.
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The Warwickshire Hunt Sabs provided film footage taken on the 22nd October of the Warwickshire Hunt verbally abusing a sab and using the term “Fatty” 28 times. The Independent newspaper covered the story and shows the footage on its 30/11/22 online edition. Now that’s it is in the public domain, I doubt if the huntsman feels quite as smug as he felt when he was taunting the sab.
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Glasgow Hunt Sabs have a report of an ordeal they had with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox Hounds, who were trying to kill a fox that had gone to ground. The violence against the one or two female sabs is appalling. It will be interesting to see if the police take any action on this because it is one of the worst examples of hunt violence that I have come across.
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The Wynnstay are advertising for a new huntsman. Chris Woodward (the defendant in the case which was dropped – see below) is leaving. North Wales Hunt Sabs also report that some of the masters of that hunt are leaving and maybe the whipper-in too. There may be some dissent within their ranks.
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The day after Mr Finnegan of the Cheshire Hounds was convicted of foxhunting (Tue 6/12/22) he was again out hunting. During the course of that day his terrierman assaulted sabs. Two members of North Wales Hunt Sabs were run in to by the quad. When Mr Finnegan committed the  offence to which he admitted guilt, he was enjoying a joint meeting with the Ledbury Hunt. Despite this, Herefordshire Council have granted permission for the Ledbury Hunt to hold their Boxing Day meet in Ledbury town centre. It seems criminality is not an obstacle to self promotion or council endorsement. Ledbury Hunt have actually claimed that they know nothing at all of the conviction.
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North Dorset Hunt Sabs also a report a serious assault of a lone female sab, on 5^th December 2022.
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On 10^th December, Charles Carter from the Royal Artillery Hunt drove his car at a monitor, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. While his victim was on the ground, Carter took his camera. It was later found, smashed. A serious altercation then occurred between the monitors and the hunt. Police were called, but as this was Wiltshire, no action was taken. Carter (who has had TWO cases of illegal foxhunting dropped by the CPS, one due to a procedural error) is the “competent person” who wrote the risk assessment for the hunt.

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Court

On 11/12/22 Cheshire monitors released the footage which the CPS considered was insufficient evidence to pursue a case of foxhunting against Chris Woodward of the Wynnstay Hunt. In court the hunt members attempted to intimidate the witness who was willing to stand and give evidence. Another witness would not give evidence for fear of reprisals.
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6/12/22, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court: Ollie Finnegan now Huntsman with the Cheshire Hounds, has pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7/1/22, whilst he was the Huntsman with the Quorn Hunt. Leicestershire Police force seized his phone and found incriminating text messages, which furthered the case against him.
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Matt Ramsden and Rhys Matcham from the Beaufort Hunt were due in Swindon Magistrates Court on 8^th and 9^thDecember 2022. There had been numerous previous hearings and much public money spent. On the morning of the 8^th, the case was suddenly and inexplicably dropped. The Beaufort is King Charles’ hunt. His good friend, Lord Mancroft is also part of it. We can’t think why it was dropped…
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John Lewis of the Lamerton Hunt was due in Plymouth Magistrates Court on 09/12/22, charged with having dogs dangerously out of control. The offence occurred 5/2/22. The result of this case is not yet known but it is interesting that the offence refers to dogs dangerously out of control.

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Police

Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Team report on their Facebook page that they have issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Warwickshire Hunt. They say they have done this because they issued the hunt with a warning notice in May 2022 about the anti-social use of the country road network. They say that the unreasonable and dangerous use of the roads has continued, and so they have issued the CPN.
“ The conditions require Warwickshire Hunt to give us advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements to inform us about who will control dogs during the event, and for the organisation to notify participants about their responsibilities around crossing roads at the designated point. Breaching the conditions will amount to a criminal offence. This is a three-year notice, and the organisation has the right of appeal within 21 days.“ Because of the right to appeal, it is obviously not a done deal yet, but this will send shockwaves through the hunting community and through the various organisations that offer them tacit protection.
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On Sat (3/12/22) Kent Police positioned themselves to stop sab vehicles outside of the East Kent Hunt kennels, thereby denying the sabs the opportunity to follow the hunt to its meet. The police were successful and the sabs chose to find another hunt. Well done to the Kent Police.  You haven’t just aided and abetted illegal hunting by one hunt, but sent a signal to hunts all over the country that some police forces are still on the side of illegal hunting and against groups who legally try and oppose it. The police know it, we know it, that there will be no retribution against the police for this deplorable conduct.
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Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) report that the police rescued a hound from a deep water tank.  The Cheshire Hunt had left this hound behind and it was the reaction of a quick thinking officer from the rural crime team that pulled the hound out of the tank. The Cheshire Against Blood Sports (CABS) are, in fact, full of praise for the police effort yesterday. The police challenged the behaviour of the terrier men and were prepared to get their feet muddy.
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6/12/22: Staffordshire Hunt Sabs report that the North Staffs Hunt has had to pack up early as the hunt staff agreed with the police that the hounds had been out of control.
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It looks as though control of the hounds is becoming a bigger issue. It is easier to prove, rather than the more difficult to prosecute offence of foxhunting.

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Bad news for hunts

The Saltersgate Farmers Hunt have been caught digging out a badger sett on land controlled by the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Authority has banned the hunt from that particular area which is good, but it is felt that the Authority needs to ban the hunt from all of the areas under its control. Observations to this effect can be made to: general@northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Other news

 ‘Keep the Ban’ has a new website.

It is now ‘Protect the Wild’.  It has the following website address. Just as we like others to support us I am sure they’d appreciate a visit. It’s a fine website – with the search bar sliding smoothly in from the right in an elegant and rather impressive way.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/
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Astonishing though it is, some churches actually support hunting. In Shropshire, a service for The United Pack, was arranged at St George’s Church in Clun on Sunday 11^th December. Shropshire AAF asked people to contact the church politely and ask them to reconsider, given that hunts are keen on animal cruelty – and that cannot be Christian. The service was cancelled, not on moral grounds, but because a member of the clergy received emails, which she thought were threatening.
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The cold weather has kept the badgers underground. Underground badgers have kept the shooters at home. This has given the anti-cullers a welcome break.

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Hunts and the public

Another case of hunt trespass occurred on Sat 10/12/22 and was reported by Three Counties Hunt Sabs when the Cotswolds Hunt were asked to leave land by the land owner.
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The following has been borrowed from the Peterborough Hunt Sabs. “This week an elderly birdwatcher was knocked down by the out-of-control Fitzwilliam Hunt while they were out walking. “At least 30 fox hounds came charging down the path in full cry and knocked me down, I complained to the red coat on horseback but he just shouted “we’ve been doing this for 350 years!” And rode off!” We’re not sure that knocking over elderly birdwatchers for 350 years is much to boast about.

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Sab News

Yet another new group has formed. It is called the Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs. Amongst their other activities they are organising a demo against the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt meet in Tavistock on Boxing Day. Good luck to WDHS!
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Drones are becoming a integral part of sab groups’ toolkits. Sheffield Hunt Sabs did a fund raiser in order to buy one, and hit their target in less than 24hours. Good effort.

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Boxing Day

With help from some parish and town councils, many Boxing Day meets are still going ahead. Grantham, is the exception (well done GABS), and a number of others are also looking unlikely or at least, compromised. There is a list on Grantham Against Bloodsports Facebook Page. AAF has been campaigning all year, challenging the meets on grounds of health and safety. To challenge these meets, you need evidence; Boxing Day 2022, and New Year’s Day 2023 are our only two opportunities to collect it. Go to the meets, take a camera and film. Here’s some advice about what to look for:
https://www.actionagainstfoxhunting.org/boxing-day-and-new-years-meets-watch-listen-record/

Somerset County Council has astonished all of us by using EMERGENCY road closures to facilitate three Boxing Day meets. They say that this is because the hunts have not applied for proper road closures in time. CALL TO ACTION – email a complaint to the council. Protect the Wild has made it very easy to do. Click here for more details.

https://protectthewild.org.uk/news/somerset-county-council-using-emergency-powers-help-hunt-parades/

Latest News 3 December 2022

Hunt Violence, Cruelty and Law-Breaking

Sheffield Hunt Sabs report that whilst out sabbing the Grove and Rufford Hunt, the ex-master Gerard Farmer arrived with some of his friends and they proceeded to slash all four of the tyres on the sab vehicle. This happened on 19th November. A police investigation is underway. I do not know if this is the same vehicle that was seized by the Derbyshire police about four weeks ago, but with the police being so helpfully disposed towards the hunters and cullers, one has to ask, why would the hunt NOT conduct themselves like this. There is little risk of the police taking action against them.

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The West Midlands Hunt Sabs continue, unintimidated by the hunt or by the police, to sab the Warwickshire Hunt. On 12th November, they met with the usual disgraceful conduct. A sab was assaulted by hunt steward Harry Sawyer. It’s on camera.

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Mendip Hunt Sabs report that the South Dorset Hunt had a hound injured by a motorist on 22 November.  Hunt support removed the hound whilst it was still howling in pain. The same hunt trespassed on land owned by a racehorse stud farm. The owner inconveniently interrupted their pursuit of a fox. He also told them to stop disturbing his valuable livestock. If that wasn’t enough, they also got their hounds muddled up with hounds from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt who were hunting in the SAME FIELD. Both hunts were being sabbed at the time.

I’ve included the link to the report below, as this one really defies imagination.

https://www.facebook.com/mendiphuntsabs/posts/pfbid0hFeE58hSGRoF32T6CNJXtMVZxynJtMg7RkPbTXyWXyjjVpzue9vUnPp5HZwZ13jVl

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On 26th November,  the Albrighton Hunt left one of their injured hounds wandering alone in the dark after they had packed up. Reported by Staffordshire Hunt Sabs.

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Again, on 26th November, South Cambridge Hunt Sabs had two tyres slashed at the start of their sabbing day. They think they know who the perpetrators were and have submitted evidence to the police.

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Still on 26th November, Wildlife Crime Action has the video of the pack of hounds ragging a fox in the middle of a field. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale huntsman and terrier man are there, and like any good trail hunters they had come equipped with a plastic bag to remove the evidence. It is unpleasant footage. The footage has been shared in an attempt to force Avon and Somerset Police to take action.

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On Tue 29th November  Calder Valley Hunt Sabs report a hound of the Grove and Rufford, killed on the busy A614 road. The picture of a sab cradling the dead hound is deeply moving. Poor dog. Poor sab. We feel so sad for both of you.

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Sab successes

On Saturday (19th Nov) Cottesmore Hunt was sabbed by 90-100 sabs, as result of their attack on a sab a couple of weeks ago. A sheep collapsed and had bleeding from one eye and its nose, after the Cottesmore Hunt passed (rampaged) through the field. South Lodge Farm seemed indifferent to the animal suffering. They may even have been abetting the hunt.

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Police

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs who have to contend with the incredibly bad policing of the Wiltshire police, photographed the Conservative MP James Gray out on foot, with the Beaufort Hunt on 19th November. Bath Hunt Sabs also covered this event. Mr Gray MP said it was a legal hunt and but failed to account for at least eight terriermen!

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On 19th November 22, the West Kent Hunt Sabs are reporting that the Kent Police impounded two quads that were out with the East Kent with West Street Hunt. The terrier men were driving without insurance, tax and had swapped number plates.  The new precedents we now have, are;- North Wales police inspecting the contents of the box in front of the quad, Leicestershire Police ticketing bad parking at the meeting of a hunt in a village, and now Kent Police taking two quads away on a low loader. Tellingly, the West Kent Hunt Sabs go on to comment that they hope the police officers’ careers will not be adversely affected by their action as the Hunt is protected by senior officers in Kent Police. Kent Police still have Mike Bax as the Head of the advisory group to the Kent Police Rural Crime Team. Mike Bax is a former huntsman and was drummed out as head of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

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On 17th November, Wildlife Crime Action report that a serving officer with Dorset Police forwarded a post recently, advertising a horse for sale which included the description, “been cubbing and hound exercise“. It is alleged that that the unnamed officer regularly attends the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt meetings. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually feel that police in this country were accountable.

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On 29th November,  Nottingham Hunt Sabs filmed of one of the Quorn huntsmen attempting to steal sab property by grabbing at the camera. The sab retained the camera but it was destroyed in the tussle.  One may have thought there was enough evidence for the police to take action, but this is an English police force and the offenders are Foxhunters.

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Court Happenings

The CPS has just withdrawn evidence of a fox being chased by the Wynnstay Hunt. This may be a prelude to a not guilty verdict.

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The members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt that rammed the Manchester vehicles are still awaiting sentencing. The crime happened on 19th March 2019.

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Calls to action

There is a petition to ban the Ledbury Hunt from the town on  Boxing Day. Here is the link.

https://chng.it/KGSPRWdjcv

After two years, Somerset County Council have finally accepted that hunts, just like everyone else, MUST follow the usual procedures for staging their public Christmas meets. AAF wants to hear from anyone who knows anything about objections to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day Meets. Please complete our contact form and we will get back to you straight away. We can help with protests and objections.

Boxing Day and NYD Contact Form

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Bad News for Hunts

Not close to home, but a very old hunt in Ireland has folded, (Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt).

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Other News

The HSA has put out a newsletter summing up the progress made since the release of the webinars. One of the most startling statements in the press release states “… A host of other hunts are set to bite the dust this season,…” That is a very surprising statement from people who have been so totally immersed in having to be realistic about the survivability of hunts and hunting. Let’s hope they are right.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team stopped a trailer not far from the venue of the Warwickshire Hunt Ball. Having been lied to by the driver, officers searched the trailer and found a bunch of silly people inside, on their way to their annual bash where they celebrate the fox killings of the past year.

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