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.
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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 201
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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.
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.
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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
Latest News 3rd December
