IN BRIEF:
-Arrests made for serious assault on sabs by Devon and Somerset Staghounds
-Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner admits belonging to Countryside Alliance
-Kent Hunts continue to shrink
-Protect the Wild and AAF’s Boxing Day Campaign takes off
-Wilton Hunt genuinely lays and follows a trail.
NEXT NEWS – 25th September
police, Court and prosecutions
The Scottish Border Hunt Sabs report that, at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, an independent monitor was found to be not guilty on two counts of aggravated trespass. The Crown dropped one further charge of calling hounds off a fox and onto a public highway.
On Friday 25/08/23 North London Hunt Sabs reported that Marc Birney, a thuggish follower of the Pytchley and Fernie Hunt, had been charged with assaulting a sab in March 2023.
Sarah Moulds of the Cottesmore Hunt, who was videoed punching and kicking her horse, was found not guilty at Lincoln Crown Court of two charges of animal cruelty.
Ollie Finnegan of the Cheshire Hunt failed to turn up for a third time for his trial for fox hunting. He was found guilty in his absence. He has been fined £1000 for each of two offences plus £800 costs, and is restricted to ten hounds when he goes out hunting. It is very pleasing to be able to report that, on a private forum not meant for the consumption of outsiders, the police were described as ‘brilliant’.
Staffordshire Hunt Sabs have been fined for aggravated trespass after disrupting a shoot that was shooting pheasant out of season. Police body cam evidence was not available. The sabs were initially arrested for trespass, then de-arrested, then arrested for aggravated trespass.
The Middleton Hunt appears to be heading for a court hearing involving illegal hunting. Expect further developments around 13/11/23.
The Kent Hunt continues to receive surreptitious help from the Kent Police. On Saturday the Police delayed the Brighton Hunt Sabs vehicle by pulling it over. This week’s excuse (or twaddle) was poaching or burglaries in the area.
bad news for hunts
Kent now has just one hunt. The East Kent, Ashford Valley, West Street and Tickham Valley Hunts now operate under just one banner: The Kent Hunt.
Llandeilo Farmers Hunt has folded. This was despite their generous offer of a free pen to anyone who’d like to give them some money.
The East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt are amalgamating with the South Down and Eridge Hunt. Their new (snappy) name is The Southdown & Erdige with East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt.
hunt atrocities
Wildlife Crime Action have some video footage of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt killing a fox. Unfortunately the video is taken from a long distance and does not look as though it would be usable in court.
North Dorset Hunt Sabs have video footage of a stag escaping from the Quantock Staghounds by running into National Trust land from which the hunt is banned. They had been hunting the stag for 3 1/2 hours.
Cheshire Monitors report that the Wynnstay Hunt killed at least one fox cub on 28th August.
The Scottish Government is planning to join Wales in banning snares.
campaigning news – and calls to action
AAF has created a new page on the website called Keyboard Warrior Actions. This is for anyone who has a spare moment to get something done, without leaving the house.
With Pony Clubs being “feeders” for hunts, child protection has become a real concern. North Dorset Hunt Sabs filmed a cubbing meet for the BSV (with chilling sound effects) and it was clear that children were there. This is not a suitable place for any child. The NSPCC has a specific unit for sport-related child-abuse, and anyone with concerns about children at hunts can contact them. To find out more, click here.
Boxing Day is approaching. There has been a great deal of interest in PTW’s and AAF’s email campaign to councils, questioning Boxing Day meets and a few requests for other meets to be added. Each meet is different though, and we need information before considering it. The checklist can be found on this page.
other news
Cheshire Monitors report that Hartley Crouch is now a whipper-in for the Wynnstay Hunt. He was convicted last year of stealing a pet sheep, skinning it, and feeding it to hounds. People local to the Wynnstay should be aware of the calibre of staff the Wynnstay employ.
Chris Packham is the new President of the RSPCA. Hunting, be it otter, mink, fox, stag or hare is an inherently cruel pastime and we know that Chris Packham opposes it in all areas.
Wiltshire Hunt Sabs report that the Wilton Hunt, when it went out on Sat 02/09/23, did actually trail hunt. The change of attitude and cooperation from the hunt seemed quite remarkable and no doubt the sabs will continue to monitor this hunt carefully, but, without a doubt, last Saturday the hunt conducted itself in a legal and proper manner.
Action Against Staghunting (AAS), having achieved their crowdfunding target for a legal review, have now engaged a firm of solicitors (Advocates for Animals), and are hoping to receive a report towards the end of September.
Britain has a new defence secretary in the name of Grant Shapps. Perhaps a new face will summon up the courage to ban hunts from Ministry of Defence land. You could email him to that effect, Shappsg@parliament.uk
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thank you to all the sab and monitor groups whose posts we have used to create Latest News. If we have got anything wrong, just let us know and we’ll change it.
info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org
