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For full reviews of Hunting Seasons 2009/10 and 2010/11, scroll
down to below this season's entries
HUNTING SEASON 2011/12 July - October
OCTOBER 2011
Stories below, in reverse
chronological order, on the following topics:-
..... 30th October - 'National
criminal conspiracy' by Hunts claim after artificial earth finds
..... 30th October - Cameron's
Hunt dumps its own beleagured Huntsman in split vote
..... 30th October - Cumbria police to increase 'Trail Hunt' patrols after 'community concerns'
..... 29th
October - League announces million pound investment to fight
illegal hunting
..... 27th October - West Street Tickham FH JM says they 'can't control'
their hounds
..... 25th October - Hound killed
on busy road during 'illegal' hunt in Cotswolds
..... 27th October - Anti-hunt activist Joe
Hashman wins landmark legal case
..... 25th October - New LACS Chief savages
Countryside Alliance over Hunting Act report
..... 21st October - Cameron says he is still
committed to vote on hunting ban
..... 20th October - New online paper provides more
evidence of illegal 'cubbing'
..... 19th October - Police investigating W.Street
Tickham FH fox kill in village
..... 18th October - POWA Associate wins Campaigner of the Year
award from IFAW
..... 16th October - Heythrop rocked by fears accused Huntsman to
be dumped
..... 14th October - 'Cynical subertfuge' condemned by Judge
as he dismisses Fernie 2 Appeal
..... 6th October - 'No repeal
vote before 2013, at the earliest' says BBC report
..... 6th October - Kent
Hunt kills fox in early-morning raid on sleepy village
.....
4th October - LACS monitors film 'cub hunting' in Co.Durham
'National criminal conspiracy' claims LACS,
after numerous artificial earths found
Many are clearly being maintained and foxes visiting or living
in them fed
Independent
31-10-11 Hunt backed by PM accused of breaking rules to keep foxes League Against Cruel Sports claims
it has found a national criminal conspiracy Animal rights campaigners have accused a hunt
supported by David Cameron of being part of a "nationwide criminal conspiracy" to sustain fox populations for hunting.
An investigation by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) found that artificial earths - structures built to provide breeding
places and homes for foxes - are being maintained in areas used by all but three of the 24 hunts that it monitored around
the country. Campaigners argue that a ban on the hunting of foxes with dogs introduced in 2004 made artificial earths "pointless",
and that that their upkeep "points to a nationwide criminal conspiracy by fox hunts to encourage and sustain fox populations
in order that they can be hunted. "From building extensive earths, to providing food, water and bedding,
the very notion of hunts following artificial trails becomes ever more laughable," said Professor John Cooper QC, chairman
of the LACS. "Whilst most of us suspected the hunts would carry on their nefarious activity, I for one never quite imagined
they would be as blatant and, frankly as stupid, as to continue their use of artificial fox earths."
Between June and October this year, investigators from the LACS visited 16 counties in England to inspect land used by 24 hunts.
Artificial earths with signs of recent renovation or food supply were found at 21 of them, according to the report.
The LACS claimed to have found six artificial earths on land regularly hunted by the Heythrop Hunt in Gloucestershire,
the local hunt in David Cameron's Witney constituency and one that he has ridden with on at least six occasions.
Video footage obtained from hidden cameras also showed a man dumping offal near an artificial earth in Dorset and remains
of broiler chickens were found near one of the structures on land regularly hunted by the Heythrop Hunt.
While the LACS acknowledged that it could provide no direct evidence that the named hunts were complicit with the building
and maintenance of the artificial earths, it said: "It is clear that someone has been maintaining the earths on the country
of these 21 hunts, and one must question whether or not this can be pure coincidence."
Tim Bonner, a spokesman for the Masters of Foxhounds Association, denied that the artificial earths had anything to do with
the hunts named in the report. "The earths are not only used by hunts. They are also used by gamekeepers to locate foxes
so they can find them and kill them," he said. "Most of the hunts I called didn't know the earths were there,"
he said. Mr Bonner said that most hunts still killed foxes as part of a "service" to landowners, but shot them "legally".
"I think there is a dispute over what the law means. The League Against Cruel Sports has attempted to suggest that the
legislation means that hunts can't use any form of hunting as a fox control method. That is clearly wrong. The legislation
has a series of exemptions." But Professor Cooper said: "We have never heard of gamekeepers
using artificial earths to decrease numbers. Our research shows that they are only ever used to increase numbers. That begs
the question: why should numbers be increased? We answer: to be hunted."
POWAPerson says:- One picture [above right] in the LACS Report shows pile of offal which they filmed being
 dumped near the artificial sett which is close to the Cattistock FH kennels in Dorset. LACS says the land
is owned by Lady Charlotte Townshend [left]. She is a Marchioness related to the Royal Family, stonkingly rich, and owns a
large chunk of west London, 3,000 acres of Notts and 15,000 acres in Dorset, including Chesil Beach. In 1999 she
blocked a plan to make it a National Nature Reserve because of Labour's plans to ban hunting. She is a former JM of the
Cattistock. She has also made substantial donations to the Conservative Party. [Curiously, one of her forbears of the
same name married a Duke named .... George Osborne.]
LACS Press Release 30 October 2011 New evidence
shows artificial fox earths being maintained The League Against Cruel Sports has today published a new report showing
the extent of artificial earths being maintained in areas known to be used by hunts. League investigators have uncovered a
number of artificial fox earths being maintained which suggests fox number are being kept artificially high. A massive undercover operation spanning three months, 16 counties and
24 hunts has recorded undisputable evidence that individuals are encouraging foxes in artificial earths. League investigators
have found evidence of earths which have been built or renovated since the passing of the Hunting Act where food and water
is being supplied. The League has obtained footage of four hunts dumping food close to the earths and three
providing water. Among these is a Dorset hunt where a kennel worker was seen depositing large amounts of offal near to an
earth. Several well maintained artificial earths were found in the country of the Heythrop Hunt – with
whom David Cameron has hunted – with one being supplied with fresh chickens. Duck carcasses and what is believed to
be out of date supermarket stock were found dumped in woods in Yorkshire believed to be owned by the Sinnington Hunt. The
League’s chief executive Joe Duckworth described the findings as the "tip of the iceberg". He said: "In
just a short space of time our investigators have shown without a shadow of a doubt that there is a determined effort amongst
the hunting community to keep fox numbers artificially high. The evidence points at a pattern of extreme behaviour which I
am convinced goes far and beyond the evidence obtained by the League in this investigation and may be connected with other
wildlife crimes such as hunting with dogs". The evidence has been passed to relevant local authority
trading standards departments and where appropriate, the police where investigations are ongoing.
Download PDF of
full report from LACS, via this link. Essential reading.
Sunday Express 30-10-11 David Cameron's hunt pals accused over fox
ban A HIGH-profile hunt whose supporters include David Cameron is at the centre of a new investigation
by campaigners monitoring the foxhunting ban. The League Against Cruel Sports will tomorrow publish a report that suggests
several leading hunts could be "making a mockery" of the seven-year-old law. Photographs and footage show artificial
earths - any underground hollow in which a fox can take refuge - are being maintained in areas used by hunts and that food
is being left near them. The earths were a regular feature before the ban, making it easier to find foxes so hounds could
track them. The 2004 Act restricted hunts to following scented trails, rendering the earths "pointless", the League
says. However, between June and September, it says it found signs of earths on land used or owned by all but three of the
24 hunts in England. While The League "has no evidence to offer that these hunts were in any way complicit", it
adds: "It is clear someone has been maintaining the earths...and one must question whether this can be pure coincidence."
The League says it found six artificial earths in country used by the Heythrop Hunt in Gloucestershire, which
is a favourite of the Chipping Norton social set. Mr Cameron has ridden with it, while racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks is
also a supporter. The Heythrop strongly denies any wrongdoing. A spokesman said it "operates within the law". The
hunts say shooting estates, sometimes in the same area, maintain earths to attract foxes for culling.
POWAPerson says:- Fantastic work by LACS investigators, which not only further demolishes Hunts' 'pest
control' arguments [you do not assist 'pests' to breed or nourish them] but will lead many to conclude they
must be maintaining foxes to hunt. Artificial earths have often been discovered before and hunters used to speak openly
of them before hunting with dogs became widely reviled. Some loose-lipped ones still let the cat out of the bag occasionally. Jeffrey
Olstead, BFSS rep for the Cumberland FH averred in 1996 ".... there are artificial earths in almost every fox hunting
country in England." and LACS quotes a Beaufort terrierman confessing he used to build them in the 1990s.
In 1998, a number of young cubs were found in such an earth very close to the kennels of the Sinnington FH in Yorkshire,
with clear evidence that they were being fed. The RSPCA rescued them and the terrierman was apparently scapegoated by the
Hunt, who had denied all knowledge, and sacked. The picture left shows a dead chicken left in the mouth of one of the drainage
pipes forming the earth. For further information, see Mike Huskisson's article on artificial earths.
Cumbria police increase 'Trail Hunt' patrols due to 'community
concerns'
BBC News online 30-10-11 Police step
up trail hunts patrols in north Cumbria Cumbria Police said it was in response to community concerns
about tensions between hunt monitors and followers. Police said they often received reports
of confrontation and conflict between those with differing views on hunting. "We will engage with representatives from
both pro-hunting and monitor groups to minimise public disorder and community disruption," PC Shaw said. "Officers
will be deployed when appropriate, taking into account other needs and priorities, to carry out high visibility patrols at
various fixtures throughout the season of the Blencathra and Melbreak fell packs."
Cumbria Constabulary website Policing of trail hunts explained In response to community concerns and
issues around the hunting act, Police in west Cumbria will be running an operation throughout the trail season to tackle tensions
between hunt monitors and followers. The police often receive reports of confrontation and conflict between those with differing
views to the hunting act and the intention of the operation is to maintain the safety and provide reassurance to all attendees
at meetings. PC John Shaw, wildlife officer for Cumbria Police, said: "Officers will engage with representatives from
both pro-hunting and monitor groups with a view to facilitating lawful activity within the terms of the hunting legislation
as well as lawful monitoring and protest.....
POWAPerson says:- One hopes that by 'community
concerns' Cumbria police don't just mean the whinges of the hunters that their 'sport' is being spoiled and
that they may risk exposure by monitors or be denied their quarry by sabs. Though some police forces try to
be impartial between antis and hunters, few if any have come to grips at all with the extent of illegal hunting going on or
how they can enforce the rickety Hunting Act when it is so extraordinarily hard for anyone, not just them, to gain evidence
adequate to obtain a conviction. Others seem to almost pretend hunting doesn't exist - leaving monitors vulnerable
to Hunt violence, wildlife vulnerable to their  rapacity, and the public vulnerable to their recklessness and lack of respect for others. But a few forces
seem to have reverted almost to 'riding shotgun' for the Hunts - apparently taking claims of 'Trail Hunting within
the law' at face value without investigation and treating monitors and sabs almost as though they were just trouble-making
revolutionaries. This cannot be connected to the fact that the current Minister for policing is one Nick Herbert. He
was political director of the BFSS, a founder member of the Countryside Movement [now the CA], a whipper-in to a fox hunt
and Master of a hare hunt for 14 years [left, as a Minister and, below left, as a beagler]. We note that the Coniston FH, two of whose hunt supporter bullies were so harshly punished [with cautions] for terrifying
and assaulting a League Monitor last year, seem not to be included in the enhanced patrol plans. Nor the Ullswater FH, whose terrierman Alistair Robinson was convicted in 2010 after chasing a fox with numerous hounds, digging it out and beating the  animal to death with a stick. The charming Robinson hid the corpse [right] in a dry stone wall, from where LACS
monitors, who he did not know had been filming him, retrieved it. Is this the real face of 'Trail Hunting' in Cumbria?
For this premeditated and savage piece of animal abuse he was given the massive penalty of a £250 fine, which his
Masters presumably paid. As far as we know, he is still employed by the Ullswater. Indeed, it is extremely rare for any
hunt servant to be dismissed by their Hunt, almost regardless of what they have been convicted of. Even when a scapegoat is
deemed essential, another pack usually takes them in. Gang loyalty is, of course, notoriously strong - and few
gangs in our society come better organised and resourced, or exhibit stronger mutual loyalty, than do Hunts. One
might almost think of them a a rural 'Cosa Nostra' - but one which, of course, includes in its membership many of
the richest and most powerful in the land, including some Conservatives in our government. Not unlike
the famous horse's head in the bed scene from 'The Godfather', many monitors and sabs, including myself, have
been treated to having dead animals or birds dumped on our cars or doorsteps. In 2004, two hunt servants from
the Isle of Wight FH were even convicted of the repulsive stunt of dumping two carcasses, one of a horse, in Brighton
town centre in protest against the incoming hunt ban - and given the usual slap on the wrist by the courts. One, a convicted
badger digger, is still with the IoW, as a terrierman, and last year was given a fixed penalty notice for exposing himself
to male and female monitors on a road. He may be a charming person away from the hunting field, of course.
The other, then just the Huntsman, is now a JM/Master with the Jedforest FH, so he's clearly repented his misdeed. A
fellow JM there, a major donor to the Conservative Party, was his senior JM at the IoW FH. He was reprimanded by
the MHFA for allowing the Brighton stunt. So reluctant are that body ever to even criticise their own that it marked
their extreme embarassment at that gross outrage to public sentiment that was done in hunting's name in Brighton.
League plans £1 million programme to fight illegal hunting
LACS website 29-10-11 £1m
campaign to tackle hunt crime The League Against Cruel Sports plans to invest more than a million
pounds over the next four years on hiring investigations staff and equipment to gather evidence and get hunts into court.
Despite polling showing that three quarters of the public support the ban, the League believes that the majority of hunts
are flouting the law. "This is the seventh hunting season under the ban, but all the evidence suggests that hunts are
getting more lawless than ever." said Joe Duckworth, the League's chief executive. "Appointing investigations
officers around the country will enable us to increase our efforts in gathering evidence for the police and the Crown Prosecution
Service." The League employs retired police officers who review evidence and provide training on the Hunting Act to serving
officers. Two weeks ago, after an undercover investigation by the League, two staff from the Fernie Hunt in Leicestershire
were convicted of breaking the Hunting Act and the Protection of Badgers Act and ordered to pay more than £10,000 in
costs and fines. The judge in the case praised the League's investigations work and said the hunt was engaged in 'cynical
subterfuge' by pretending to trail hunt. The League runs a 'Hunt Crimewatch' service gathering information and
intelligence on hunt related crime, and passes information to police forces and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. Adverts
carrying the Hunt Crimewatch number are appearing in regional newspapers across England and Wales from today. "Our focus
is not only on the illegal hunting, but on all the crimes committed by the hunts," said Mr Duckworth. "Hunts cause
all manner of anti-social behaviour, from blocking roads, running hounds down railway tracks, and savaging pets in people's
gardens. This pernicious side of hunting is often unseen but it has the biggest effect of people in rural communities."
Recent incidents reported to Hunt Crimewatch include foxes being killed, hunt hounds running along main railway lines, hunts
blocking country lanes, and even hunt supporters threatening members of the public. "Our message to hunts is very clear.
There are more cameras, under more bushes, operated by more investigations staff than ever before. Hunt within the law or
expect to he held to account for your actions," warned Mr Duckworth.
POWAPerson says:- We had become concerned
that LACS will to tackle, or even properly acknowldge, the scale of illegal hunting, was failing, but, since Joe Duckworth's
appointment has seemed to mark a massive renewal in that commitment. We strongly welcome their
annocement above - but continue to believe that strengthening of the Act will prove the only long-term solution to enabling
the Hunting Act to provide a real deterrent and a law that is less fiendishly difficult to enforce.
W.Street Tickham JM claims they 'can't control hounds'
after fox killing in Studall
East Kent Mercury 27-10-11 Studdal fox hunt organisers apologise Calls have been made
to enforce the legislation that bans fox hunting after the Mercury published a story about a mauled fox found dead in Studdal
[left]. West Street and Tickham hunt organisers had been hunting on the same  morning that the male fox was found in a field backing on to Homestead Lane. Hunt master Rosemary Cleverdon has apologised
for causing upset and said the event, on Wednesday, October 12, was run within the law. Mrs Cleverdon has been talking to
police about the incident, but she told the Mercury she has no way of knowing for sure if the fox was savaged by their fox
hounds or by another animal. "We had a drag, the hounds picked up the scent of this fox and they went away," she
said. "When you are three fields away, with fences, you can't control them. "If
we did cause any upset in the village we are very sorry." There have been nine attempted prosecutions since fox hunting
became illegal and six of them failed. Another example of how the law protects the rich. Mrs Cleverdon added she did not know
whether the West Street and Tickham Hunt would go back to Studdal again. Fox hunting has been illegal since 2005 when the
2004 Hunting Act came into force. Hunts now lay a scent for dogs to track, but foxes are sometimes killed in the process if
the hounds pick up their scent. The story has generated mixed opinions on the Mercury's website. The league Against Cruel
Sports is investigating the claims made by Studdal residents that the fox was ripped apart and killed by the hunt's dogs.
Police are also investigating, and have taken the animal's body away for forensic tests. Police spokeswoman Jane Walker said: "While the investigation is ongoing we shall not be issuing further comment
about tests. "The fact that we are investigating should indicate that we are trying to ensure that legislation is being
adhered to."
POWAPerson says:- What is almost more disgusting about apologists for hunting
than their gaining a perverse thrill from chasing, tormenting and killing defenceless animals is that they so consistently
refuse to accept their own culpability when called or found out, try to blame others for their own wrongdoing and invent ever
more ridiculous excuses for their vile behaviour. As a former criminologist who has interviwed hundreds of offenders, I have
encountered this evasiveness, denial and blame-shifting pattern frequently. The 'cynical subterfuge' which a Judge
referred to in the Fernie Hunt servants attempts to wriggle out of 'bang to rights' convictions earlier this month
is universal among the hunting community. In fact we could rewrite the old joke. Q. How do you know when a hunter engages
in cynical subterfuge? A. Their lips move. Whether
it was an 'accident' or not, even now, the West Street Tickham tries to evade responsibilty
for the small atrocity they inflicted on Studdal by their selfish and reckless, if not wilful, behaviour. If they were really
'drag' hunting, how did they end up in the middle of a village? Why were their hounds chasing a fox? This sort of
'accident' never seeems to happen with real drag hunts that follow artificial scents. They should do the residents
and wildlife of East Kent a favour and not just stay away from Studall but keep their pack of trained killer dogs at home
until, at least, they have decided to convert to real drag hunting and retrained their dogs properly.
Cotswold
Vale FH 'illegal hunt' claim as hound killed on major road
Gloucestershire Echo 27-10-11 HUNT members and saboteurs are blaming each other for the death of a hound that was
killed as it ran on to a road. The hound was out with the Cotswold Vale Hunt on Tuesday morning when
it was in collision with a Rover car on the A38, near Norton.... HUNT members and saboteurs are blaming each other for the
death of a hound that was killed as it ran on to a road... Members of the hunt claim saboteurs used horns to lure the hound
on to the road before it was killed. A statement released by the Countryside Alliance on behalf of hunt
members said: "The hunt was harassed by hunt saboteurs during a children's meet. "The huntsman did all
he could to avert this incident, but was unable to do so. "We are in a climate where animal rights activists are
harassing hunts to an unacceptable level and the incident was both dangerous and irresponsible. Hunt saboteurs proclaim to
love animals, but it is about hating the people who hunt and nothing more." But
Lee Moon, a spokesman from the Hunt Saboteurs Association, said the protesters did not have horns when the hound was run over.
He said: "Five saboteurs were at the hunt, including four women, and my understanding is they had been monitoring the
hunt. They had not seen it for 45 minutes and did not do anything to drive it into the A38 - no one blew hunting horns or
instigated this tragic incident." He claims the hunt was split, with some of the 40 hunters on each side
of the A38. He believes the hunt was attempting to cross the road when the hound was killed. Mr Moon said saboteurs
sometimes did use horns, like the hunts themselves, but did not do so on that day. He said he disputed the claim the association
did not care about animals and said the individuals hunting were not of interest to his organisation. Fox-hunting involving
hunts tracking, chasing, and killing foxes was outlawed in 2005. But hunting by a smell or trail is still lawful. The saboteurs
organisation has existed for 47 years. Members of it have been going to the Cotswold Vale Hunt, which meets twice a week,
regularly for the last 10 years. Mr Moon added: "I make no bones about it, we used to interrupt hunts
to save animals before fox-hunting was illegal and we will continue until hunts stop completely." Police were called to the incident shortly after 10am and other dogs were said to be running freely across the road.
Officers delayed the traffic until the road was cleared, but did not close it. Hunt Saboteurs Association website 25-10-11 A hound from the Cotswold
Vale Farmers Hunt was killed by a lorry, on the A38, South of Tewkesbury, today during an illegal fox hunt. Members
of the Hunt Saboteurs Association who were present said the hunts pack of hounds were illegally chasing a fox when one of
them ran straight into the road and was killed outright by a lorry that had no opportunity to stop. It was only the presence
of the hunt saboteurs that prevented further fatalities as they were able to stop more hounds running into the road. Lee Moon
from the Hunt saboteurs Association said: "If, as the Hunts like to claim, they were trail hunting then what were they
doing near such a busy road. The hunting community don't care about the lives of either the hunted animals or the ones
they employ to illegally chase them. The Cotswold Vale Farmers should be thanking the hunt saboteurs for preventing more of
their hounds from being killed."
Western
Daily Press 26-10-11 Hound
killed
in crash on A38 during hunt A hound
was killed in an incident on a busy Gloucestershire
road, The dog was hit by a car while the Cotswold Vale Hunt was out yesterday morning, The incident happened on the A38 in Norton and traffic was stopped while other dogs were rounded up. The incident happened at about 10,30arn and police were called to help. Officers did not have to close the road, but vehicles were held back
while the incident was cleared.
POWAPerson says: Seems like yet another beautiful dog has died violently, yet another motorist has been
traumatised, and antis may have averted worse yet again, all so arrogant animal abusers can have their perverted fun. After
what has hapened in previous seasons, and the attacks they say were launched on them late last season , it is brave of the sabs to go anywhere near this Hunt. We gather that Hunt are, as they
often do, trying to blame the sabs for the hound's death. Tim Bonner of the Hunting Office tweeted thus:- "Children's
meet in Gloucs. Hunt sabs blowing horn on A38 lure hounds, one goes under lorry. Lovely people who really care about animals?" This reeks of more 'cynical subterfuge'. How unmanly it is to try to pass one's own culpability
to others and invoke children to compound the matter.
Anti-hunt activist wins landmark legal case against pro-hunt ex-employers
Joe Hashman PR 27-10-11 Animal
welfare campaigner "vindicated" by ground-breaking tribunal findings In a historic judgement, on 26th October 2011 the Employment Tribunal in Southampton
found that life-long animal welfare campaigner Joe Hashman [below left] was discriminated against under the
Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. Mr Hashman said, "My case against the Directors of Orchard
Park Garden Centre in Gillingham, Dorset.... has included complex  legal issues. I am indebted to the brilliance of Shah Qureshi and Nick Fry of Bindman's LLP and my barrister Ivan Hare
for their guidance, support and expertise over the last 2 years. I am proud to have established in Law my philosophical belief
in the sanctity of life (including fervent anti fox hunting and hare coursing beliefs). On 26th October 2011 the
Employment Tribunal in Southampton found that I was discriminated against because of these beliefs and so I feel vindicated
in taking my case to them for judgement. The Tribunal has instructed that financial details of settlement remain a private
matter. However, the truth is that succeeding with my case was all I ever wanted to achieve. Therefore I was happy to accept
the first offer made to me be on behalf of Orchard Park alongside a public apology in respect of a defamatory memo written
about me to their staff." The apology made by the Directors of Orchard Park to Mr Hashman reads as follows: "We,
the Directors of Orchard Park, unreservedly apologise to Mr Hashman for any injury to his feelings arising from the memo dated
18th November 2010. In particular, we accept that Mr Hashman did not seek to mislead us or set us up in relation
to his animal welfare beliefs and activities. Equally, we did not intend to suggest that Mr Hashman engaged in any bullying
or mud-slinging. We wish Mr Hashman well for the future, in particular in his career as a writer."
Daily Mail 29-10-11 Garden centre worker's five-figure pay-out after he was sacked for anti-fox hunting beliefs
A garden centre worker who was sacked for his anti-fox hunting belief has won a five-figure pay-out. Joe Hashman, who has been an active animal rights campaigner for 30 years, was handed his P45 at Orchard Park Farm
near Gillingham, Dorset, in September 2009, and he has been seeking justice ever since.... Mr Hashman had been looking for £50,000 for loss of earnings and injury to feelings from Orchard Park Farm garden centre. The managers sacked him two
days after his covert filming had helped to convict the celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson Wright of illegal hare coursing [right].
He agreed an undisclosed settlement, believed to include a five figure payout,
after a panel at Southampton Employment Tribunal ruled in his favour. As part of it, Orchard Park's directors issued a public apology to Mr Hashman, accepting that he had never sought
to mislead them about his animal welfare activism. Married father-of-two
Mr Hashman, of Shaftesbury, Dorset, successfully argued that his views on fox hunting should be placed on the same legal footing
as religious beliefs. It was accepted that his concern about
the environment, animal rights, veganism and, in particular, his opposition to fox hunting, amount to a philosophical belief
under the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003. Mr Hashman's solicitor Shah Qureshi, of law firm Bindmans, said: 'This is clearly a very positive tribunal
decision for those who believe in animal rights.'.... Mr Hashman said:
'I am proud to have established in law my philosophical belief in the sanctity of life, including fervent anti-fox hunting
and hare coursing beliefs.... 'I don't think anyone should be discriminated
against at work because of their views on issues such as hunting. Politics and
morality as to how we live our lives should not be brought into the workplace.' Giving evidence, professional gardener Mr Hashman told the tribunal how he lost his job when his bosses found out
he was a leading saboteur and animal welfare activist - and had been since the age of 14. Mr Hashman said he was 'picked on' and suddenly sacked after he appeared on Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show,
explaining his part in Dickson's Wright's court case. He said: 'I
believe now that my involvement in relation to hunting issues and ultimately my philosophical belief was the reason for my
dismissal. On September 1, 2009 there were two convictions at Scarborough magistrates'
court under the Hunting Act, which I was directly responsible for. I believe that
those connected with Orchard Park knew, or came to know, of some or all of these matters at some point leading up to my dismissal.'
Orchard Park Farm had claimed that it only dismissed Mr Hashman because his vegetable
patch at the garden centre, designed to encourage customers to grow more produce, was not making enough money.
But after losing the case, the directors apologised for a memo that was circulated
at Orchard Park in November 2010 criticising Mr Hashman....
POWAPerson says:- The second great verdict delvered
against hunters by the English justice system in the last fortnight. Congratulations to Joe and his legal team on their long
and perspecacious fight for justice.
 
To the right is Clarissa Dickson-Wright. To the left is a brown hare. Chasing either with
dogs would be cruel and illegal, but...
New LACS Chief savages CA over 'waste of time' Hunting Act report
LACS website 25-10-11 CA
ties itself in knots with new report A report due out tomorrow from the Countryside Alliance raises more questions than it answers,
according to the League Against Cruel Sports. In 'Hunting Act in 2011 - A Waste of Police Time', the bloodsports lobby
group claims that a lack of convictions under the Hunting Act for the 2010-2011 hunting season suggests the law is not working, and is a waste
of police time. But Joe Duckworth [right], Chief Executive of the League, said that the report sent mixed messages.
"On the one hand you have the Countryside Alliance saying that hunts aren't breaking the law, and on the other they
say that the law's an ass because no hunting people were convicted last season. Which is it? Are they breaking the law
or aren't they?" Mr Duckworth pointed to the recent appeal brought by two staff of the Fernie Hunt in Leicestershire, which was dismissed
by Judge Michael Pert QC who said the hunt concerned were engaged in "cynical subterfuge" by pretending to hunt
a non-existent trail. The appeal - thought to have cost that hunt more than £100,000 - was backed by the Countryside
Alliance. Earlier this month, a hunt in Kent killed a fox after rampaging though a private garden, whilst in Herefordshire a hunt's
hounds rioted through a field of Alpacas. "The reality is that hunts are out there breaking the law," said Mr
Duckworth. "We know this, and that's why we're about to announce serious investment in this area to enable us
to help the police bring to justice those who abuse animals for sport. We'll also be focusing on the cases of hunt havoc
that so blight people's lives in rural communities." Last month, David Bevan, the whipper in of a Somerset hunt,
was convicted of assault on a League investigator. Earlier in the year, the huntsman with the Tivyside
Hunt in Wales was convicted of an attack on a League volunteer. "The idea
that these are fine, upstanding, law-abiding people is utter nonsense," said Mr Duckworth. "Whether they're
hunting illegally, stealing cameras, beating up pensioners or blocking up badger setts, they are a criminal fraternity with
an intimidating grip on the countryside. The police must rise to the challenge and stand up for the majority of rural people
who find hunting abhorrent."
Prime Minister says still committed to vote on Hunting Act
Western Morning News 21-10-11 Government 'committed
to vote on hunting ban' David Cameron [left, with his mounted friend Guy Avis, Secretary
of Heythrop FH] has  insisted the Government remains committed to a Commons vote on reversing the controversial ban on hunting. It has been claimed
a pledge in the coalition Government agreement to let MPs oppose Labour's totemic Hunting Act was "dead and buried".
But asked by the Western Morning News whether the Government still abided by the promise, the Prime Minister said: "There's
no change in the position, and the commitment is the commitment, and we don't resile from that. I'm sure at some stage
the vote will be held. I don't have a timing for that." Hunt supporters across the Westcountry had campaigned for
pro-hunt MPs at last May's general election. The issue has cooled within Westminster, chiefly because of the need to revive
the economy. But pressure is still strong among the grass roots in the countryside for a repeal of the ban. Mr Cameron, a
keen country sportsman, has said he will vote against the ban.
Musician
says fox hunting and cubbing are rife in her Hay-on-Wye area
Huffington Post UK 20-10-11 Fox Hunting - the Countryside's Best-Kept Secret by Kate Holmes Nothing seems to make people more heated then discussing the pros and cons of hunting. Fox
hunting is alive and kicking around Hay On Wye - at least four hunts span the immediate area - and in fact fox hunting is
happening all over the countryside. Most city people I talk to think it is cruel and want it banned. Most country people think
the opposite. Tales of foxes killing entire coops of chickens and geese fuel the fire here in the countryside, meanwhile the
townies talk of hounds ripping the throats of family pets in their crazed efforts to hunt down the "poor little fox".
Whatever the argument, the sport is certainly not relegated to history and seems to actually be thriving and growing amidst
all the ideological conflict. Last Friday I had my weekly horse riding lesson with my daughter Charlotte in her outdoor school.
I had just finished, and was quietly hacking home thinking of shoulder-ins and half passes when I suddenly heard the very
thin but beautiful sound of a bugle in the local woodland area below the local common land. My pony pricked up his ears and
started to look about excitedly, and as I began to trot home I came across about 15 hounds, a jumble of vehicles and some
men wearing Barbour-type jackets with flat caps and sticks. Very Down to Earth Powell and Pressberger. The hounds were impressively
polite and allowed my pony to walk down the lane unaccosted and I stopped to ask one gentleman what they were doing. "Cubbing",
they answered. Everyone round here knows what that is - rooting out the young foxes and preparing the hounds for the proper
hunt. As I had just been in an outdoor riding menage littered with the droppings of over thirty foxes (each with big plumstones
in them - they had obviously gorged themselves on Charlotte's plums the day before), I knew as well as the hunters that
the area was teeming with foxes. Nobody says much though. It's an official secret throughout the land - away from Westminster
and all the townies - that fox hunting is going strong. As I left the hounds, the cars and the men, with an invitation to
the join the opening meet next month, I passed an elderly gentleman with a pair of binoculars and a walking stick. He stopped me and asked what the noise was. Assuming he was following the hunt I asked him if he had seen the hounds. He looked
at me with a strange expression..."but I thought hunting was banned?" he said. "It
is" I replied, and trotted on.
POWAPerson says:- This testimony just seems to confirm quite
how brazen hunters are becoming. They know, given the rickety Hunting Act and lack of enforcement, that there's precious
little chance of their being apprehended, let alone prosecuted/convicted. They also know they have friends in very high places
- including big hunting fans in the Prime Minister, the Solicitor General and the Policing Minister. The Golden
Valley FH is centered on Hay-on-Wye, but we are sure this reputable Hunt would not stoop to such seemingly reprehensible behaviour
and that it cannot possibly be them that Ms.Holmes encountered 'cubbing'. Perhaps another Hunt strayed into their
country by 'accident'.
Police investigating W.Street Tickham FH over fox kill in village
East Kent Mercury 19-10-11
Mauled fox found dead after hunt in Studdal Police are investigating reports
of a fox hunt in Studdal where a savaged male fox is believed to have been killed by hounds. Shocking pictures of the animal were sent to the Mercury by Christine Richardson, who
saw foxhounds racing down Strakers Hill in the village on Wednesday last week, but the images are too distressing to print.
She believes the fox - who has been named Freddie by locals and who looks like the fox pictured right - was killed by the dogs from the hunt. This is yet to be confirmed by police who have taken his body away for forensic
tests. Mrs Richardson, of Homestead Lane, said residents were alerted by the sound of baying hounds at about 8am. A horn was
sounded and riders were also seen wearing red jackets in a cabbage field. Police say West Street and Tickham organised the
Studdal hunt. Officers have been speaking to its hunt master Rosemary Cleverdon. When the Mercury tried to speak to
Mrs Cleverdon, she hung up twice. Mrs Richardson said: "A gentleman at the bottom of the road saw a fox running across
a field at the back of my house being chased by dogs, and there were riders in the cabbage field." The hounds pushed
in the fence of one of her neighbours and barged into her garden. The fox was found in a field on the other side of her broken
fence after the hunt with his intestines ripped out. "He had been mauled all over," she said. In England,
the hunting and killing of foxes has been against the law since the 2004 Hunting Act came into place in 2005. Hunts still
meet regularly in England with organisers laying a scent for the dogs to track.
POWAPerson says:- The
article ends saying Hunts meet 'with organisers laying a scent for the dogs to track.' Monitors nationwide, however,
testify that for most Hunts this 'Trail Hunting' is merely a charade, designed to disguise the fact that they are carrying on as if the ban didn't exist, with the same callous disregard for the welfare
and feelings of their animal victims, their own animals and any third parties they should happen to come across while getting pleasure
from chasing and killing a terrified creature. No surprise, because this is what they so arrogantly said they'd do before
the Act was overwhelmingly passed with great public support. Hunts employ, as Judge Pert so strikingly put it, 'cynical
subterfuge'. Such ruses and several exemptions, plus a strict requirement to prove intent, combined with the intimidatory
and sometimes violent nature of Hunts towards anyone filming their activities, make it incredibly difficult to gather
enough evidence to prosecute them successfully, and mostly deters the police from even trying to investigate them. It is understandable,
but disappointing, that the paper will not publish the pics that show the gory facts of this poor fox's terrible death.
It will not be until the media are willing to show the reality of what hunters do - and not the chocolate box images always
inserted into any hunting story - that people will really understand what vile creatures hunters really are. The
article above contains the fox pic the paper printed, but the real, dead, 'Freddie' is pictured left here. POWA
has not had copies of the whole body pics, but would definitely publish.
POWA Associate Denise Ward wins Campaigner award from IFAW
IFAW website 18-10-11 Animal Action Week Awards UK Celebrates Two And Four Legged Friends
 Today we celebrated our annual International Fund for Animal Welfare Animal Action Awards on the terrace of the House of Lords….
to celebrate and honour the fantastic dedication, commitment and inspiration of Britain’s animal lovers. The ceremony
is hosted at the House of Lords by Baroness Gale and this year the awards were presented by Queen legend, animal welfare campaigner
and friend of IFAW Brian May.,,,, The Campaigner award went to Denise Ward [right, to the left of Brian May] from Gloucestershire
who reveals the truth about hunting with dogs in her film ‘A Minority Pastime’ .
Gloucester Citizen 26-10-11 Denise's joy ANIMAL
charity the International Fund for Animal Welfare has honoured Slad resident Denise Ward with an award for her work on the
film A Minority Pastime, which places hunting with dogs in the UK under the spotlight. The award was presented at a prestigious
House of Lords ceremony. POWAPerson says:- A richly deserved award. Beginning
as a personal testament after the Cotswold hunt horrifically invaded her rural tranquility in the hamlet of Elcombe, 'A
Minority Pastime' grew into a feature-length, Michael Moore style exposé of the callousness, lawlessness, arrogance
and brutality of organised hunting, the disturbing impact on innocent bystanders and the depth and nature of support for it
within the Conservative party. First released around the 2010 Election, subtitled 'A Letter to David Cameron',
Denise has been working hard on a sharper, shorter update, to be released soon. An extended trailer is here, and the full, original version [106m] is here.
Picture, right, shows Denise
[Nisa] where it all began:-
'In November 2005 a tiny hamlet in the heart of the
Cotswolds was overrun by snarling hounds. Nisa Ward was out with her elderly neighbour. A deer hurtled out of the woods pursued
by the baying pack. As the villagers stood there helplessly the deer was caught. It screamed piteously as the dogs ripped
it apart.'
Heythrop racked by dissension over future of accused Huntsman
Mail on Sunday 16-10-11 Ex Labour Minister gallops to defence of Chipping Norton Set's beleaguered
huntsman David Cameron's friend is being prosecuted by the RSPCA for illegal fox-hunting - Kate Hoey wants hunt to support its employee to prevent reputation of hunting being damaged - Row has caused division among influential group
of MPs and media professionals - Issue could surface at ball hosted by former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks
- Pro-hunting Labour MP Kate Hoey [right] has launched a bid to stop David Cameron's local hunt sacking
the huntsman to the Chipping Norton set. The former Sports Minister  is furious that the 176-year-old Heythrop hunt in the Cotswolds plans to oust employee Julian Barnfield [left]. Mr
Barnfield, a friend of Mr Cameron, is being prosecuted by the RSPCA for illegal fox-hunting. Ms Hoey, chairman of the Countryside
Alliance, says if the hunt does not support professional huntsman Mr Barnfield in the run-up to the trial in the New Year,
it could ‘damage' the reputation of hunting across the country. The court case, disclosed in The Mail on Sunday
last month, is threatening to embarrass Mr Cameron, who has ridden with the hunt, because it will reopen political divisions
over the pastime and increase pressure on Ministers to overturn Labour's 2004 ban. The row has also caused divisions in
the Chipping Norton set - an influential group of MPs and media professionals who live close to the Oxfordshire market town.
Wealthy landowners, including Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson and Sir Anthony Bamford, chairman of the JCB excavator company,
allow the hunt to ride through their woods and fields. The issue could surface at next month's annual £90-a-head
black tie hunt ball at the home of former racing trainer Charlie Brooks and his wife Rebekah, the former chief executive of
News International - who is at the centre of the phone-hacking scandal. The fate of Mr Barnfield, one of the country's
best-known professional huntsmen, is to be decided at an emergency general meeting just days before the ball. Insiders are
predicting a fierce backlash if a decision is made to remove the popular huntsman and they believe many hunt supporters would
boycott the ball. The row began after the current senior master of the hunt announced he was standing down next year, and the person chosen to replace him, Charles Frampton [right], said that he wanted also
to take over the role of huntsman, who is in charge of the hounds during hunt meetings. Miss Hoey and senior figures in the
Countryside Alliance fear that such a move would undermine Mr Barnfield's court case. In a letter to Mikey Elliot, chairman
of the Heythrop hunt, which has been leaked to The Mail on Sunday, she said: ‘We must distinguish between the running
of the hunt, which is your concern, and the public reputation and future of hunting as a whole, which is ours. We are concerned
that to replace, demote or make redundant the defendant in this case, at this particular time, to be potentially damaging
for the wider cause of hunting, and the very people upon whom we rely to keep hunting going.' Mr Elliot, an arable farmer
who is married to three-day eventer Ginny Leng, is backing Mr Frampton. He said: ‘Julian has our full support in the
legal action, but we needed a new senior master who could organise the hunting and our seven full-time staff.'
Mr Barnfield declined to comment.
POWAPerson says: I won't intrude further upon private
grief. Original Barnfield charges story at UK Hunting News Archive Judge condemns 'cynical subterfuge' as he dismisses Fernie2 Appeal
VIDEO OF FERNIE FH ILLEGAL HUNTING, WITH COMMENTARY,
HERE
Harborough Mail 14-10-11 BREAKING NEWS: Hunt duo lose their appeal
HUNT employees used "cynical subterfuge" to disguise the fact they were illegally hunting a fox, a judge has ruled.
Judge Michael Pert QC told Leicester Crown Court that Derek Hopkins and Kevin Allen, employees of the Great Bowden-based Fernie
Hunt, had pretended they where following a trail scent to cover up the illegal pursuit of a fox. Dismissing their appeal against
convictions for breaching the ban on hunting, Judge Pert said: "It may be that they [hunt supporters] feel the day will
come when this [Hunting] Act is repealed and they may be correct but the law is the law. "Their conduct amounted to cynical
subterfuge. They used a trail hunt as a cover." The five-day appeal, which concluded this afternoon (Friday), followed
the convictions of Huntsman Hopkins and terrierman Allen at Harborough Magistrates' Court earlier this year. The charges
were illegally hunting a mammal with a dog and interfering with a badger sett. Both men will have to pay out thousands in
additional court fees for bringing the case to appeal - £3,630 for Hopkins and £2,730 for Allen.
To the right is a still from the LACS covert monitoring video that helped convict the Fernie 2. It was filmed from
a considerable distance, hence the haziness. Here, the fox has just been bolted from the badger sett after Allen and others
had dug into it. It can just be made out near the bottom left of the pic. Some of the waiting riders, with Hopkins
on the grey, can be seen beyond the hedge, looking on. The full pack, that chased the fox into the sett, is nearby.
In the video, the fleeing fox is seen being pursued by hounds and riders seconds later. This was a brilliant operation by
LACS monitors, but it is extremely rare, difficult and increasingly dangerous to obtain this quality of film evidence. However,
given the current, lamentable weaknesses of the Act, and the feebleness of official attempts to enforce the law that largely
flow from them, little short of this is ever going to be sufficient to secure prosecutions, let alone convictions.
Leicester Mercury 15-10-11 Judge
dismisses hunt pair appeal A judge has dismissed an appeal by two hunt employees convicted of breaching
hunting laws. Huntsman Derek Hopkins and terrierman Kevin Allen, of the Harborough-based Fernie Hunt, were found guilty earlier
this year of hunting a live fox and digging into an active badger sett. However, the pair had maintained they were hunting
an artificial trail when caught on film by hunt monitors. They also claimed they had dug into a hole to shoot a fox that had
gone to ground, not to release it so it could be hunted. The pair both maintained they had examined the hole and believed
it was not a badger sett in current use. Yesterday, at the end of a five-day appeal into their convictions,
Judge Michael Pert QC confirmed the convictions and accused the Fernie Hunt of using the "cover of trail hunting as a
cynical subterfuge." Judge Pert said: "It is clear to us that the hunt was hunting a live fox." He said he
and two magistrates were convinced that the hunt had dug into an active badger sett. He added: "We found Hopkins to be
an unconvincing witness. We found Allen to be shifty and evasive." However, he praised the objectivity of the four investigators
from the League Against Cruel Sports, who filmed the hunt on January 27, 2010. He also said the court found that the evidence
given by badger experts Dr Pam Mynott and Professor Stephen Harris convincing. He said: "It may be the fact that a day
will come when the Hunting Act is repealed. But the law is the law." The pair's original sentences were also confirmed
by the court.... Tim Bonner, of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFA), said: "We are extremely
disappointed by the verdict on the Protection of Badgers Act convictions. We maintain that it was not a badger sett in current
use." He said the Fernie Hunt and the other members of the MFA would take on board the issues raised on the hunting charges.
After the decision, Joe Duckworth, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, described the appeal as "ridiculous".
He said: "Anyone who sees this film will see the clear actions of a hunt intent on pursuing a fox." Mr Duckworth
said the hunting community had been asked to contribute to appeal costs which runs into tens of thousands of pounds.
LACS website 15-10-11 Hunt were hunting foxes intentionally, in an act of subterfuge,
says judge.... The League has placed the film evidence on YouTube..... In a scathing attack on the tactics of the Fernie Hunt, the judge said that whatever the hunt thought of the law,
it was there to be obeyed. "Organised subterfuge is unacceptable", he told the court, also saying that he found
the evidence of Hopkins as ‘unconvincing' and describing Allen as ‘shady'. Joe Duckworth, chief executive
of the League Against Cruel Sports, described the appeal as ‘ridiculous'. "Anyone who sees this film will see
the clear actions of a hunt intent on pursuing a fox. In two court cases, five magistrates and a crown court judge have been
clear in what they have seen and have convicted these wildlife criminals." The hunting community had
been asked to contribute to defence costs, thought to exceed £100,000.... The pair's original sentences were confirmed
by the court....
POWAPerson says:- Thank goodness the Judge and Magistrates saw straight through
the web of lies spun by the hunters to try to escape justice. In condemning their dishonesty so powerfully, Judge
Pert has, hopefully, sent a signal to all police forces and prosecutors to be suspicious of all claims of 'Trail
Hunting', It will, however, without a strengthened Act, remain extraordinarily difficult to obtain evidence sufficient
to convict, especially as Hunts can be expected now to be even more 'robust' than ever in resisting attempts to film
their activity. The Fernie FH heirarchy should perhaps think itself lucky if they avoid investigation in relation to possible
culpability. Whatever, this is a major humiliation not just for the Fernie2 and for the Hunt itself, but also for the whole
of the hunting lobby - and a devastating blow to their already crumbling credibility. Ironically, it came on the same day
that hunting's highest-placed supporter, PM David Cameron, also suffered a grievous loss - of a Fox! [Liam, the Defence
Secretary].
The unfolding story of the Fernie2 Appeal prior to the verdict is told in chronological order
in the stories below.
Fernie
FH pair start their appeal against conviction
Leicester Mercury 11-10-11
Fox hunt appeal gets under way A pair of hunt employees have launched  appeals against their convictions for breaching hunting laws. Huntsman Derek Hopkins and terrierman Kevin Allen [both
pictured left], of the Harborough-based Fernie Hunt, were found guilty earlier this year after a seven-day trial. Hunt
monitors filmed them apparently chasing a fox and digging it out of a badger sett for it to be chased again, in breach of
the Hunting Act and Protection of Badgers Act. Hopkins and Allen denied the offence when they originally appeared at Leicester
Magistrates' Court but were found guilty. Their legal team appealed and a five-day hearing began at Leicester Crown Court
yesterday. It will mean a judge and two magistrates will examine the complete case, viewing footage and hearing from witnesses
and countryside experts. Caroline Bray, responding, told the court that the case included footage of a day's hunting.
She said: "The DVD shows that there are hounds on the scent of a fox at about 1pm and that the fox has gone to ground."
Ms Bray said huntsman Hopkins rode up on his white horse and then instructed terrier man Allen to introduce a terrier into
the sett. She showed the court a DVD of the incident, which occurred at Stonton Wyville,
north of Market Harborough, on January 27, 2010. Ms Bray said the DVD showed hounds collecting around a badger sett, "marking
it", and the hunt assembling as men on foot dug at the sett's entrances. A fox is then seen running from the sett
and hounds heading in the same direction, followed by members of the hunt. League Against Cruel Sports investigator
Ed Shepherd gave a commentary of the footage he shot at long range, which showed the Stonton Wyville incident and a later
occasion when he filmed Hopkins allegedly encouraging hounds to follow the scent of a fox at another location.
Under the hunting law, it is legal for hounds to follow an artificial trail laid by an employee or member of the hunt. It
is also legal for a hunt to shoot or kill a fox using a bird of prey if they come upon it by accident*. But Mr
Shepherd told the court he saw no-one laying an artificial trail for the hunt to follow. He said at Stonton Wyville, he saw
no net to catch the fox and no-one with a firearm to shoot it. When convicted in January, Hopkins (46), of Welham Road, Great
Bowden, was ordered to pay £2,115 and Allen (52), of Nether Green, Great Bowden, had to pay £1,565. A national
fund-raising drive** launched by the Fernie Hunt to pay for the appeal has so far raised tens of thousands of pounds.
POWAPerson says:- * The reporter has the law wrong. An exemption to allow a full hound pack to be used to 'flush'
a wild mammal to then be 'hunted' by a bird of prey was, absurdly and against the wishes of animal welfare groups
and the Hawk Board, included in the Hunting Act. POWA believes this was intended to help sabotage the ban. It is exploiited
by many Hunts who transport such a bird around with them, but never actually use it, This provides 'cover'
for their real hunting activity. The law says nothing about Hunts coming upon animals 'by accident' and they are not
given leave to chase them with dogs if they do. Hunts seen chasing or killing foxes, however, inevitably claim it to
have been an 'accident' and overwhelming proof of intent is required to convict them. The video of this pair's
behaviour seems damning, but it is extremely hard to obtain such compelling footage. If their appeal succeeds then
winning prosecutions against organised Hunts will become even rarer than hen's teeth. As for shooting,
foxes, regrettably, have no protection from guns and anyone may shoot them pretty well anywhere and anytime they like, given
a firearms licence. Under our ludicrous gun laws, this can include 9 year olds.
** The Hunt
side made much, earlier this year, of their 'fund-raising drive' for the Fernie 2 Appeal. The fact is the bloodsports
lobby is immensely wealthy. They have already thrown millions of pounds at obviously hopeless challenges to the Hunting Act
and are ever ready to provide 'family' with no-expenses spared backing if they fall foul of the law.
Leicester Mercury 12-10-11 Hunt pair 'dug
up sett' A badger expert has told a court that hunt employees illegally dug into an active
sett to get at a fox. Pam Mynott, of Leicestershire Badger Group, gave evidence during an appeal at Leicester Crown Court
yesterday.... Dr Mynott said the badger sett was clearly in use, with evidence of bedding, hairs, claw marks and fresh
dung. Hunt monitor Shaun Reeves said he filmed part of the digging out of the sett, near Mill Farm, Stonton Wyville, on January
27, 2010. Mr Reeves said he saw riders following hounds chasing the scent of a fox nearby. Another investigator, Paul Tilsley,
said he heard the "hounds in cry" and someone shouting "go on get after him".... Their appeal continues.
Leicester Mercury 13-10-11 Hounds 'hunting a live fox' A
fox expert has told a court he is convinced hounds were hunting a live quarry on film shot by hunt monitors. Professor Stephen
Harris told a court yesterday he also heard a hunting horn urging the hounds onwards after a fox had been dug out of a badger
sett. Huntsman Derek Hopkins and terrierman Kevin Allen, of the Fernie Hunt, were found guilty of breaching hunting laws after
a trial in January.... At the previous hearing they claimed the hounds were following an artificial trail and that they were
going to shoot the fox, which is allowed by law. They said the badger sett was not active.... Prof Harris, commenting
on the film, said: "The attitude of the hounds, the cries and the speed of the running demonstrated to me they were chasing
a live scent rather than an artificial trail." Mr Harris watched some of the footage which showed hounds
being taken away from where the fox had gone to ground. He said: "Before the Hunting Act, that was classic practice to
encourage the fox to bolt. A fox is more likely to stay put if there are hounds about." He said when the fox bolted he
could hear a hunting horn sounding to encourage the hounds to go after it. He said he was convinced the badger sett was active
and should not have been touched..... The appeal continues.
Harborough Mail 13-10-11
A LEADING fox expert told a court that video footage of the Fernie Hunt clearly shows it hunting illegally. Professor Stephen
Harris, who has studied foxes for 45 years and witnessed many hunts, was giving evidence at Leicester Crown Court yesterday…
Prof Harris said: "If the hounds were accidentally hunting live quarry to ground I would expect the huntsman to try to
stop them. That didn’t happen. They were clearly hunting live quarry. Dogs don’t tend
to get excited when hunting an artificial scent. The video shows prolonged, active excitement, characteristic of hunting live
quarry." Prof Harris and another witness, badger expert Dr Pamela Mynott, both told the court evidence of badger hair,
dung heaps and bedding showed the sett was occupied at the time of the incident.
Leicester
Mercury 14-10-11 Two hunt employees have denied intentionally hunting a fox.
Derek Hopkins, a huntsman, told a court he was leading a series of trail hunts at the time he
was filmed by watchers. Colleague, terrierman Kevin Allen, said he had laid two of the trails and had also intended to shoot
a fox the hunt had come across by accident - which is legal. Both employees of the Fernie Hunt were found guilty of breaching
the Hunting Act and Protection of Badgers Act at a trial in January. League Against Cruel Sports investigators filmed them
apparently chasing a fox and digging it out of a badger sett for it to be chased again, which is illegal under the act. Hopkins
and Allen are appealing against their convictions. Asked by his lawyer, Philip Mott QC, if he was hunting foxes that day Hopkins
said: "No, I was not." Hopkins said the hounds were chasing an artificial trail, on January 27, 2010. The court
has seen footage of hounds marking a site, where a fox had gone to ground. Hopkins said he was instructed to take the hounds
to one side so the riders could follow a fresh trail that was being laid. The footage showed a fox bolting, followed by the
hounds. Hopkins said: "I did not see the fox bolt and I did not encourage the hounds. We went to get the hounds to stop
and turn away, which they did." Under cross-examination, Hopkins denied that the call "go on get after him",
heard by one of the monitors, was an instruction to hounds. He said: "The phrase is 'get on to him' and is an
instruction a whipper-in would give so that hounds come to me." Allen said: "We were trail hunting. I laid two trails."
He said he was called in to shoot the fox by the joint master, Chris Parker, and that the hunt had written permission from
the landowner to shoot foxes found on his land. Allen said he examined the holes where the fox had gone to ground and did
not believe it was an active badger sett. He netted two holes so his terrier would force the
fox above ground. Allen said his dog got trapped so he dug it out. Hunt employees continued digging, to encourage the fox
into one of the nets but it bolted. Allen denied digging out the fox so it could be hunted.....
The appeal continues....
No Repeal vote before 2013 at earliest, claims
BBC 
BBC East News 6-10-11 The BBC's Easten Region political correspondent,
Andrew Sinclair, tonight claimed, in a regional news bulletin, that 'Parliamentary sources' had assured him any Commons vote on repeal of the Hunting Act 2004 will be delayed
still further. He reported that this is because the Government has more urgent matters to attend to, but also acknowledged
that they did not currently have sufficient votes in the House to effect the measure. The Countryside Alliance reacted resignedly,
just saying they'd work to increase their support, but Lorraine Platt of Conservatives Against Fox Hunting [right] smiled on the news,
observing that "the longer that the Hunting Act remains in place, the more embedded it becomes in society."
POWAPerson says:- The news, if correct, is welcome but expected. We remain very wary of the very close relationship
between the Tory heirarchy and the Hunting lobby and are sure they will seize any opportunity they can to try to nullify the
ban. We are also disappointed that most of the media, as Mr. Sinclair did in his piece, still accept and repeat
the fiction put out by the Hunters that they are restricting themselves to 'following trails laid by quad bikes'.
Kent Hunt stages
early morning invasion of village, kills fox there
LACS Website 6-10-11 Hunting hounds riot through garden, killing fox Pressure on hunting authorities to name
and expose hunt involved. As many as a dozen hunt hounds rampaged through a small village yesterday morning,
killing a fox [below, left], it has emerged. Shocked residents of East Studdal, six miles north of Dover, Kent,
heard hounds in full cry and found the main street through the village blocked by hounds with riders and hunt staff nearby.
Resident Christine Richardson heard the commotion and said it sounded as though animals were fighting or something was being
killed. "It's disgusting, abhorrent, that people can do this to an animal for sport," said Ms Richardson. "I
was so appalled that I rang the  League Against Cruel Sports as I didn't know what else to do". [Her interview on LACS website page]
Hounds rioted through another resident's garden, breaking a wooden fence, before killing a fox on a small patch of waste
land. The dead fox was left with an injury to its stomach and its internal organs were hanging out. The League Against Cruel
Sports, which runs a Hunt Crimewatch line through which illegal hunting can be reported, said it was "disappointed but
not surprised" by the incident. "Day in, day out, we get calls from people the length and breadth of the country
who've witnessed a hunt or suffered their arrogance and rudeness," said Joe Duckworth, the League's chief executive.
"It's disappointing that we get so many calls, really, but not surprising. The authorities that claim to regulate
hunting, such as the Masters of Fox Hounds Association, remain silent and refuse to name the hunts involved, and this just
adds to the hunts arrogance at believing that they can stick two fingers up at the law and get away with it." "If
hunting really was carried out by respectable people who believe in the rule of law, they'd own up to this incident and
face the music," added Mr Duckworth. "But they are cowardly sadists who get fun from chasing and torturing animals,
so why would they care about a few distressed residents?" The incident has been reported to Kent Police.
LACS Observers film 'cub hunting' in County Durham
LACS
Website 4-10-11 Fox cub hunt should 'own up and face the music' Hunt management 'must show leadership', says charity. A film published on YouTube
today allegedly shows a hunt breaking the law by hunting fox cubs, according to an animal welfare charity. The League Against
Cruel Sports says that  the film shows people taking part in 'cub hunting', where a hunt trains its young hounds to kill by setting them on
young fox cubs. Campaigners say the practice has become known as 'autumn hunting' in recent years as hunts have attempted
to make the spectacle sound less unpleasant. "This hunt cannot claim to be trail hunting as you'd never lay a trail
in a covert and then surround it," said Joe Duckworth, the League's chief executive. "The film clearly shows
hunt supporters surrounding a covert, and when the fox pops out, they do all they can to drive it back in to the waiting hounds.
This is as grotesque as hunting gets and it's illegal." The footage was shot by two League Against Cruel Sports volunteer hunt observers in County Durham last month. Mr Duckworth said that the individuals concerned
cannot be prosecuted as they can't be identified from the film. "But we know that only two registered hunts hunt
across this land in County Durham, and so do the Masters of Fox Hounds Association, who claim to hold hunts to account. If
that Association was true to its name and claim, they'd be insisting that the hunt concerned identifies itself and issues
a public apology, and that the people involved hand themselves into police. We doubt either the hunt concerned, or the Masters
of Fox Hounds Association, will be big or brave enough to do so," he added.
POWAPerson says:-
The print, right, shows 19th Century 'cubbing'. What's really changed?
September 2011
Crawley & Horsham 'Gang of Four' plead their innocence
Brighton Argus 30-9-11 Fox hunting court hearing adjourned
A court hearing for four people accused of illegal fox hunting has been adjourned. The quartet, who are all members of the
Crawley and Horsham Hunt, are accused of hunting a fox with a dog contrary to the Hunting Act 2004. Sussex Police launched
an investigation after videos allegedly showing a fox being killed during a hunt were passed to the force by members of the
public. The four are joint master of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt - Henry James Hawksfield, 58, of Bines Road, Partridge Green,
near Horsham, Rachel Holdsworth, of Rock Road, Washington, near Storrington, Neil Millard, 44, of Dragons Lane, Shipley, near
Horsham, and Andrew Phillis, 50, of Halwell, Totnes, Devon. They have been summonsed to appear at Crawley Magistrates'
Court to face four charges under section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004. The hearing was adjourned to November 10 at Haywards Heath
Magistrates' Court.
Countryside Alliance website 29-9-11
Crawley & Horsham Hunting Act case -update All four members of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt charged with Hunting Act offences pleaded not guilty to all charges..... They were not present
at the hearing. Crawley and Horsham joint-Master Antony Sandeman said: "Jamie Hawksfield, Rachael Holdsworth, Neill Millard
[pictured right, in jovial mood] and Andrew Phillis have the full support of the whole hunt and we are confident
that they will be found not guilty. The Crawley and Horsham Hunt has carried out legal hunting activity since the Hunting
Act came into force in February 2005. The hunt has been the subject of endless allegation during those six years, but no-one
connected to the hunt has ever been convicted of a Hunting Act offence." Countryside Alliance South East Regional Director
commented: "The Countryside Alliance and the wider hunting community is standing by Jamie, Rachael, Neil and Andrew in
this. We continue to campaign for repeal of the atrocious Hunting Act and have great faith in hunting's long term future."
The Mail's uber-Tory sketch writer, Quentin Letts, got in a fine pickle
about the arrest of the C&H4. In an article bemoaning how pro-Labour police had become [mmm], he scribbled [presumably
with a green pen]:-
Daily Mail 17-9-11 .... in rural Sussex, members of the Crawley and Horsham
Hunt were recently arrested by police officers who behaved as though they were in some sort of SWAT team. Dawn raids. Sirens.
Skidding stops. Handcuffs in the home. One of those arrested runs a City investment company. Another was a veteran film-maker.
Both these middle-class pillars would have happily reported to the local nick, but instead were treated like Al Qaeda
suspects. Actually, that's not fair. If they had been bearded Jihadists, they would have been offered translation services
and a prayer mat and other amenities. Some £200,000 has been blown by Sussex constabulary on prosecuting the hunt matter.
Local MPs Francis Maude and Nicholas Soames have made official complaints about the police's heavy-handedness. Mr Maude
is Cabinet Office minister. He sees David Cameron and Nick Clegg almost every day. When thick or mouthy rozzers behave like
the uniform branch of New Labour, is it any surprise the Coalition cuts their budgets?
POWAPerson
says:- We don't know how true Letts' account of the arrests is - but we wish
they were on YouTube!
Tiverton Staghounds Huntsman
charged with raping a woman
Mid Devon Gazette 27-9-11 Rape allegation
levelled at staghounds huntsman A HUNTSMAN with the Tiverton Staghounds has been charged with raping a woman. John
Norrish [pictured below], 67, from Mouseberry Farm, East Worlington, is due to appear in front of magistrates in Exeter today.
The offence is alleged to have happened on Saturday, July 2, at a property in the Crediton area. The arrest and investigation,
which followed a complaint made to Devon & Cornwall Police, has sent shockwaves through the hunting community. Mr Norrish is
well known in equestrian circles, and has acted in various capacities for several hunts in the Westcountry for nearly 40 years.
Sources told the Gazette that another man had been recruited to undertake some of his duties while an investigation was being
carried out. However, one member of the hunt disputed this and said he was still very much involved in the staghounds. Another
hunt member, who did not want to be named, said the matter was being treated as a private issue and that Mr Norrish still
had the support of other Tiverton Staghounds members. Colin Burnell, the chairman of the hunt, declined to comment.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "I can confirm that a man in his sixties is due to appear at Central
Devon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 27. He has been charged with raping an adult female at an address in Devon on
July 2 of this year." The force declined to give the age of the alleged victim or the address at which the alleged offence
was said to have taken place. The Tiverton Staghounds have a loyal following in Tiverton and the surrounding countryside,
and regularly feature in the main ring at the Mid Devon Show. Since the hunting ban the hunt has organised drag and trail
hunts. The staghounds also organises a number of social events throughout the year, runs a pony club for junior members and
is involved in point to point. Update 12-10-11 Western Morning News reported Norrish appearing
before Exeter Magistrates. No plea was entered but will be taken at a hearing on 6-1-12. The Huntsman, who is accused of raping
a woman at a Ball in July, will contest the case. Trial date has now been set for 14-5-12.
Hounds from N.Ledbury FH savage alpacas and damage property
NewsToday.co.uk 28-9-11 Alpacas attacked by hunt hounds A HORRIFIED animal
lover says her alpacas are lucky to be alive - after they were savagely attacked by hunt hounds. Two of Rachel Simon's
beloved animals were badly injured after being viciously ravaged by the ‘out of control' dogs from the North Ledbury
Hunt, in Herefordshire. The hunt was forbidden from entering the paddock in Suckley where the animals were attacked at 8am
on Saturday. Rachel and her partner Phil ran into the field in  their pyjamas in a frantic attempt to move the dogs - who were ‘hanging off' the frightened animals. Ms Simon said
several dogs tried to bring down a two-year-old alpaca called Louis [pictured right, recovering], who was bitten several times.
"He had several bites to his neck and body and has needed a few nasty stitches to his leg wounds," said Ms Simon.
"There must have been a bout 20 of them just hanging off all six of them. I was horrified. It was awful, all hell broke
lose. They jumped the fence and started randomly attacking the alpacas, biting them, barking and chasing them. We had noticed
they were getting a bit too close to our land - so we kept the cats indoors. A neighbour did inform one of the hunt that they
were getting close, but they didn't seem bothered. Then all of a sudden these dogs just leapt into our garden, completely
out of control. It took what seemed like forever to find somebody from the hunt to come and crack the whip. They were even
ignoring the horns - there was no discipline in those dogs. We have dogs ourselves and know you have a legal obligation to
keep them under control." Ms Simon, 42, said she now wants a reassurance that the hunt will not come on to her property
again. She added: "I run a business selling produce made from alpaca fleece - so this is my livelihood at risk. I just
hope that they keep well away so this situation does not happen again." The alpacas are have mainly stayed in the back
paddock since the attack but Miss Simon said they had begun interacting with her again after spending the weekend looking
after them. Though Louis was still limping quite badly. She said: "They are sensitive creatures so they could have collapsed
and died from the stress." Once the dogs were brought under control a further three came into the field but with the
help of neighbours they simply joined the rest of the pack. An emergency on-call vet tended to the injured animals as well
as caring for those suffering from stress and shock. Valerie Allfrey, joint master, said in a statement that the North Ledbury
Hunt said she regretted the incident and the injuries caused. "The Hunt is paying for any veterinary expenses which were
required at the time," the statement added. The hunt have also repaired fences that were damaged by their hounds.
Government approves 'NVQ in hunting'
Daily
Mail 26-9-11 Now you can get an NVQ in HUNTING - despite the bloodsport being banned
Students will be able to gain a Government-approved qualification in hunting - even though the sport was banned six years
ago. Pupils will study hunting as part of an NVQ in Animal Care, in a programme supported by the national foxhunting authority.
But animal-welfare campaigners have criticised the move, comparing it to 'an NVQ in slavery'. Haddon Training, based
in Marlborough, Wiltshire, has teamed up with the Masters of the Foxhounds Association to offer the diploma. The course in
'Foxhound, Harrier and Beagle Kennels' has been recognised by the official Government body which regulates qualifications.
Students will learn about animal welfare and hunting safety, as well as receiving training in how to run kennels. Ms Seed
said the NVQ would give Britain 'the huntsmen and first whippers-in of the future.' She added: 'In future if the
youngsters leave hunting, they've got a prospect of employment elsewhere. 'We're also able to give them the theoretical
side on the course, of operating in hunt kennels and we can actually assess them practically to ensure that they are safe
in their environment and that they have the skills to move on.' William Parker, 17, who is currently studying the course,
said: 'I wouldn't see it as an important part of hunt staff life, but it is a very useful thing to have. 'Lots
of people have turned up in the past and said "I've had experience in these kennels, these kennels and these kennels,"
and when you phone round that's not the case. 'This qualification is solid proof you have done it, you've worked
towards it, and it will help with the job - though it's not vital.' Hunting foxes and deer with more than two hounds
was made illegal in 2005 thanks to the Hunting Act, but hunts now use a number of loopholes to continue their traditional
activities. Steve Taylor, a spokesman for the League of Cruel Sports, said: 'It would be interesting to know if there's
a section on how to "accidentally hunt", which is how many hunts are getting around the law and still killing foxes
cruelly. 'This is a qualification rooted in the past - what will be next, an NVQ in slavery?' A spokesman for Haddon
Training said the new qualification was already proving popular for young hunt workers... See
'Latest POWA Press letter' for our comments on this story
Further embarassment for disgraced
Somerset Hunt
LACS website 12-9-11 Knocking on Bevan’s
door The West Somerset Vale Fox Hounds (WSVFH) suffered their second embarrassment in less than a week.
On Tuesday, Richard Bevan, a whipper-in for the WSVFH pleaded guilty to assaulting League Against Cruel Sports investigator,
Paul Tillsley [see below], an attack so severe that Paul had to attend hospital on two occasions. Now the WSVFH has been forced
into an embarrassing retreat after it emerged a FTSE 250 company that the Hunt claimed was co-sponsoring one of its events
had never heard of it. The League contacted the FTSE 250 company, who asked not to be named, following Bevan’s conviction
asking them to urgently review their sponsorship of the WSVFH Show in light of Bevan’s conviction for assault and the
failure of his employers to discipline him despite knowing for some time that he would plead guilty. The company in question….
came back the next morning saying that there was no record of any agreement to sponsor the WSVFH event. They wrote to the
Hunt and requesting that any publication using their name be withdrawn and to not use their name in future in connection with
this event. We are very pleased that the company took decisive action and are only sorry that they do not want any positive
publicity as a result of this incident…. As for the Hunt – we will continue to target their corporate sponsors
until they see fit to discipline a member of their staff who whilst on duty assaulted a person lawfully going about their
business. See the WSVFH's humiliating climb-down letter here
Crawley & Horsham FH supporter convicted of threatening behaviour to sabs
HSA website 8-9-11 Crawley &
Horsham hunt supporter convicted Hunt supporter, Andrew Leaver, was convicted
recently of the use of threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment or distress. He recieved a 12 months conditional discharge and had to pay costs of £85. He is a foot follower on the Crawley and Horsham
FH and on the 5th February, while the Croydon Hunt Sabs Land Rover was blocked in by hunt vehicles, he was filmed trying to
punch through the side passenger window of their Land rover, apparently trying to reach the driver. This was filmed by other
Hunt Saboteurs who he then proceeded to threaten. Initially denying the charges he pleaded guilty after being show the video
evidence. More about Mr.Leaver, most of which POWA cannot verify, can be read here
W.Somerset Vale FH whip convicted for violent attack on LACS Monitor
LACS website 6-9-11 Hunt
thug convicted of assault ‘Hunter should have been charged with robbery', says charity
boss.  An employee of the West Somerset Vale Fox Hounds has today been convicted of assault by beating, after he attacked Paul Tillsley,
an investigations officer for the League Against Cruel Sports. Mr Tillsley was monitoring the activity of the West Somerset
Vale Fox Hounds on 29th March, when David Bevan, pictured, the hunt's whipper-in, attacked him and took his video camera.
Mr Bevan was given a conditional discharge for twelve months, and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £85 costs
at Taunton Magistrates Court earlier today. "Mr Bevan used his horse to push me along while he struck me a number of
times with the handle of his whip," said Mr Tillsley. "He then knocked me down and pinned me to the ground while
he forcibly took my camcorder from me and gave it to another man. As a result of the assault I sustained cuts and bruises
to my head, arms and ribs and I had to attend hospital on two occasions." The League's chief executive, Joe Duckworth,
said that he was surprised and disappointed that Bevan had only been charged with assault. "It strikes me that if a man
had pinned someone down and stolen his camera on the streets of London, he'd be in jail now," said Mr Duckworth.
"We think it was a very poor decision on the part of the CPS that Mr Bevan wasn't charged with robbery." Mr
Duckworth said that this case demonstrated the arrogance of members of the hunting community. "Hunters maraud around
the countryside with little or no regard for other people. We're gearing up for the start of the hunting season and we
know that our Hunt Crimewatch service will be inundated with calls from people experiencing hunts' anti-social behaviour,"
he said. "You have to be brave to stand up to these rural bullies but today's conviction shows that they can be held
to account.
Western Daily Press 7-9-11
Somerset huntsman admits attack on monitor A hunt whipper-in who attacked the head of operations of the League
Against Cruel Sports because he did not want to be filmed while trail hunting has admitted common assault..... The court
took into account his previous good character and medical history. Magistrates heard
Somerset-based Paul Tillsley was attempting to film the hunt on a bridle way at Woodlands Hill in West Somerset at 11.52am
on March 29 this year when the assault took place. Sarah Rhodes, prosecuting, said Mr Tillsley stepped back off the bridleway
to allow the hunt master and a following horseman to pass. The master went by but.... Bevan, repeatedly goaded Mr Tillsley
with his horse, "barging" him and pushing him into the gorse. Miss Rhodes told the court: "The man then started
to strike out at Mr Tillsley with his whip. The whip’s antler handle made contact with Mr Tillsely’s head."
Bevan then rode off and a "shocked and stunned" Mr Tillsley began to beat a retreat down the hill. But he then felt
a horse close behind him again and another blow to the back of his head. Mr Tillsley put up his hand and felt blood. Bevan
then rode in front of Mr Tillsley, allegedly ranting and calling for help. Miss Rhodes said Mr Tillsley wanted to get away
but Bevan followed on foot, striking with his whip and hitting Mr Tillsley’s arm. Mr Tillsley was knocked to the ground
by the blow and Bevan then sat on him, calling for help. Other hunt followers arrived and Mr Tillsley’s camera was taken
from him. Bevan then shook his hand and asked him to promise not to return. Mr Tillsley agreed because he was dazed and shaken.
He called an ambulance and was taken to Bridgwater hospital’s minor injuries unit where one wound in his head was closed
with glue. He had other superficial injuries. Tim Hayden, defending, said Tillsley’s filming "rankled" and
Bevan had asked him to stop. The solicitor also said Bevan, who lives at the hunt kennels at Stogursey, was prescribed medication
for a medical condition a week later, and it may have been significant that he was not on it at the time. Mr Hayden said the
camera was never intended to be permanently confiscated and the Master took it to Bridgwater police station later that day.
Speaking for the League Against Cruel Sports after the case Steve Taylor said: "We are
very disappointed by the sentence and also by the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to bring a charge of robbery
over the camera."
POWAperson says: - LACS seem well justified in complaining
that the charge should have been robbery. This was a protracted and violent mugging, and must have been terrifying for Paul. On
numerous occasions, monitors or sabs have had property forcibly stolen from them by hunters, yet the offences, when charged
at all, are invariably classed as the much less serious 'theft'. Here, Bevan didn't have to answer any charge
related to the camera. Note the typical arrogance and sense of entitlement inherent in the Hunt side talking of 'confiscating'
the equipment! But even for the assault alone, the sentence is derisory. Because police can't or won't
enforce the Hunting Act properly, Monitors have to risk life and limb to try to bring rogue hunters to book. And this is how
the justice system rewards and protects them. Full WDP article and comments - some of which query the extent of Bevan's 'previous
good character' - here
IFAW Monitor films fox fleeing Seavington
FH hounds along mainline rail track, then hounds invading railway. Hunt claims another 'accident' BBC News website 6-9-11 Hounds 'filmed pursuing fox on to Somerset railway'
Hounds from a Somerset hunt  have been filmed apparently pursuing a fox, an animal welfare group has claimed. The International Fund for Animal Welfare
(IFAW) said the fox was shown running on a railway line at Clapton. A few moments after the fox runs on the tracks hounds
are then shown appearing but are called back by huntsmen. A Countryside Alliance spokeswoman, speaking on behalf of the Seavington
Hunt, said an investigation would take place into the incident. Hunting foxes with dogs has been illegal since 2005 but they
can chase a scent and flush out foxes who are then shot. Avon and Somerset Police said its hunt liaison officer was investigating
whether any illegal hunting had occurred while British Transport Police said no trespass offence had been committed as no
people had gone on to the line. The IFAW member who filmed the incident, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was "completely
irresponsible". "I've seen a lot of things over the years I've been filming," he said. "This is
a main line railway, I don't know what would have happened if they'd have hit the hounds on that line." The hounds
apparently pursued the fox on to a railway line. Alison Hawes, from the Countryside Alliance, which represents hunts, said
an investigation would take place into how the hounds ended up on the track. She said: "They were on there for less than
two minutes and the hunt acted very professionally in calling them off the line as quickly as possible." Andrew Hudd,
from the train drivers' union Aslef, said footage of the incident was "shocking". "I estimate around a
dozen [dogs were on the line] at one point which is a considerable threat to a train," he said. Network Rail has asked
to see the footage. Western Daily Press 7-9-11 Hounds
on Somerset rail line spark row A West hunt has been described as "incompetent, hopeless and careless"
by the League Against Cruel Sports after hounds allegedly strayed onto a railway line. It is the second safety incident involving hounds from the Somerset-based Seavington Hunt in 18 months. In February last year three
hounds were killed in collisions with cars on the A303 near Tintinhull, Yeovil. On Saturday, hunt monitors filmed a fox running
down the main London to Exeter train line, with hounds close behind. The hunt said it was hunting an artificial scent. But
Joe Duckworth, CEO of the League, said only a fool would lay an artificial scent near a busy dual carriageway or railway line.
Mr Duckworth said: "The carnage this hunt could have caused doesn’t bear thinking about." Jeremy Darke, Senior
Master of the Seavington Hunt said... : "We were hunting within the law that morning, and like other hunts act in
a responsible and legal way. No hounds were injured and as far as I am aware there was no incident with a train. We have an
internal investigation but until we are given a copy of the film I cannot comment further." POWAperson
SAYS:- Congratulations to the monitor for a brilliant piece of filming. The Seavington were actually videoed hunting
on this same stretch of line before - albeit 15 years ago. A Hunt member was fined £25. This new incident could have
been a tragedy. We understand an express was due ten minutes later. Railway trespass is less common than before the Act, but
still happens and can mean only two things. Either Hunts are unable to control their dogs and so shouldn't take them out
and endanger them and the public, or they are not really 'trail hunting' at all. Within the last 2 years, 2 other
South-West Hunts have had hounds killed on high-speed rail lines: at least one from the Vale of the White Horse FH in January
2011 on the Glos/Wilts border at Sapperton [though the Hunt denied this, the driver said he knew he hit a hound and saw
them carry the body away], and at least 6 on the last day of 2009, when the Beaufort pack charged across the mainline. Both
incidents also resulted in substantial delays to trains and passengers, shock to the drivers and, presumably, great expense
to the operators. Yet the Hunts walked away scot-free, as they nearly always do. And as they did when the Seavington caused a horrific accident in February 2010. At least three hounds were killed by cars, travelling at 60 mph, which ploughed into
the pack on the A303.
Ann Widdecombe praises 'intrepid'
hunt monitors in short piece in Daily Express. Two days later, the paper publishes a violently pro-hunt full page article
 Daily Express 31-8-11 Ann Widdecombe: Monitors help keep hunt legal THE
most telling aspect of the prosecution of the huntsman Julian Barnfield for illegal foxhunting is that the evidence wasn’t
gathered by a hard pressed police but by hunt monitors, an intrepid small band of mainly elderly people who film hunt activities.
While there is no suggestion in this case of intimidation, monitors endure harassment and even assault from hunters. It was
thanks to their meticulous filming that a monitor was acquitted of manslaughter when he moved his helicopter off too soon.
The jury saw in all its detail the threatening and frightening conduct of a man whom the hunt had tried to portray as a gentle
soul who went up to the helicopter to "reason" with the monitors. These monitors go out often without a policeman
in sight and are very vulnerable, yet they still go. Without their evidence it’s unlikely the law would be policed at
all. If we want to make sure that hunting keeps within the law then what better way is there than to attach monitors to every
hunt? After all if the hunt is indeed law-abiding then it has nothing to fear. To see highlights of the vitriolic
response of hunt supporters and replies from monitors and POWA Associates, go to Page 'Widders sparks monitoring row'
Daily Express 2-9-11 WHY FOX HUNTING BAN SHOULD NOW BE OVERTURNED
By Nigel Burke MY colleague Ann Widdecombe has suggested that animal rights activists
should be sent out with video cameras to monitor hunts to make sure that they stay within the terms of the Hunting Act and
she paints a picture of them as a benign Neighbourhood Watch for foxes. I’m afraid that when she was an anti-hunting
MP, valuable to animal rights campaigners, Ann won’t have had the chance to meet activists as they truly are. When I
worked for a pro-hunting organisation I met plenty of them in Westminster lobbies and up country lanes. I found they had two
faces, one in a balaclava. They filmed me many times, once as I came out of a Pizza Express in central London and was legally
hunting for a taxi. Many anti-hunting activists use video to intimidate and to gather intelligence for criminal acts. Some
of the nice-as-pie anti-hunting campaigners who meet MPs, debate on radio and write passionate, fairly literate letters to
newspapers about hunting have long criminal records. I could name names but the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act prevents me
from doing so. That is not to say filming hunting activity is valueless. All the footage collected by anti-hunting activists
since the Hunting Act 2004 came into force has established some things worth knowing. Many anti-hunting activists use video
to intimidate and to gather intelligence for criminal acts. First is the inhuman malice of some activists towards hunting
people.... For rest of article, responses sent by antis, and Ann W's riposte in D.E. 7-9, see page
'Widders Sparks Monitoring row'
AUGUST
2011
Prime Minister's Heythrop huntsman 'friend' faces illegal hunting
charges
Mail on Sunday 28-8-11 Cameron's embarassment as Chipping
Norton Set's favourite huntsman faces Court over illegal hunting David Cameron was facing political embarrassment last night after a leading member of the local hunt he has ridden
with was charged with illegal foxhunting. Julian Barnfield, 47, the professional huntsman with the Heythrop hunt [right], will appear before magistrates next month on two counts of unlawfully
hunting a fox. The prosecution, which is being brought by the RSPCA, will reopen political divisions over hunting and increase
pressure on Ministers to overturn the ban introduced by the Labour Government in 2004. The Prime Minister
has ridden with the Heythrop six times and the hunt is popular with fellow members of the Chipping Norton Set – an influential
group of MPs and media professionals who live close to the Oxfordshire market town. Prominent supporters include Rebekah Brooks,
the former chief executive of News International, and her husband Charlie... Several leading members of the local Conservative
party are also members of the hunt and in the past Mr Cameron has been keen to declare his support. In 2003, he described
the then proposed ban on hunting as ‘illiberal and bossy’. The hunt is supported
by Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson. He also recalled a day out with the Heythrop, saying: ‘Nothing had prepared me
for the sheer terror of a day’s hunting… In their 2010 manifesto, the Conservatives promised a free vote in the
House of Commons on whether to overturn the ban, but many political insiders doubt it will happen... Barnfield,
who is a fulltime employee of the hunt and a friend of Mr Cameron, is a fierce opponent of the hunting ban. Before its introduction,
he said: ‘I will not stop. I am proud of what I do.’ In a subsequent edition of the Heythrop Hunt magazine, he
listed ‘hounds in full cry’ as his favourite music and said his preferred hobbies were stalking in Scotland and
hunting mink in Ireland. This is not the first time the huntsman has been charged with offences under the
controversial legislation. In 2008, he became the first person in the country to be prosecuted by police for allegedly killing
a fox. But the CPS withdrew the charges following a High Court ruling which made a distinction between searching for a mammal
and actively hunting it. The RSPCA’s case is based on video footage of the Heythrop hunt gathered by anti-hunt monitors. Barnfield,
who is a full-time employee of the hunt, is a friend of Mr Cameron's and a fierce opponent of the hunting ban. Barnfield
in particular and the Heythrop in general have become regular targets for monitors since the hunting ban was introduced. In
2009, he said: ‘To be frank, I am plagued by them. It’s not just that they film me and the hunt, openly and covertly.
Some are verbally vile, too.’ Barnfield said the hunt had raised concerns about the filming directly with
Mr Cameron, adding: ‘He [Mr Cameron] doesn’t hunt with us any more but he supports us.’
In their 2010 manifesto, the conservatives promised a free vote in the House of Commons on the ban. Penny Little, an
anti-hunt monitor who gathered the footage, said: ‘We are delighted that the RSPCA has decided to mount a prosecution.’
An RSPCA spokesman said last night: ‘Julian Barnfield is scheduled to appear at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on
September 16. He is charged with two offences of unlawfully hunting a wild mammal, namely a fox, with dogs, contrary to section
1 of the Hunting Act 2004, on two occasions in Oxfordshire in February and March. As proceedings are ongoing we are unable
to make further comment.’ Simon Lawrance, the joint master of the Heythrop hunt, which operates
in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, last night said Barnfield was uncontactable because he was on holiday in the Scottish
Highlands. He added: ‘The hunt is fully supporting Mr Barnfield and the main message we want to get across is that the
Heythrop hunts within the law.’ Barnfield’s solicitor Tim Hayden confirmed his client was due before magistrates.
But he said he was unable to comment further until the RSPCA had disclosed full details of the case to his client. Full
article here
POWAperson SAYS:- Julian Barnfield escaped prosecution in 2009 when the
CPS dropped the four charges against him after the High Court allowed the appeal of Tony Wright, the Exmoor FH huntsman, ruling
that 'searching' was not 'hunting' and confirming that intent had to be proved. Heythrop supporters and riders,
however, have been less lucky. Since the Hunting Act became law, no fewer than eight of them have been convicted or cautioned
for assaulting or threatening monitors [some of whom are also POWA Associates] or damaging their property. Barnfield's
complaint that monitors are 'verbally vile' is baseless and risible, given the torrents of abuse, and worse, regularly
directed at monitors by riders and hunt supporters. This and other dodgy aspects of the Heythrop's behaviour is amply
illustrated on YouTube. Type 'Scorpiovulpes' into its search box to access the evidence. In 2007, the Daily Mirror
published an article entitled David Cameron link to violent hunt
Four Crawley & Horsham FH riders
charged with illegal hunting - at long last
Daily Telegraph 24-8-11 Hunting
ban put to test as four face court in landmark case Four members of the same hunt are set to appear in court charged with deliberately setting their dogs onfoxes, in what will amount to the biggest test yet for the hunting ban. Jamie Hawksfield, 58, and Neil Millard [right],
44, joint masters of the Crawley and Horsham Foxhounds in West Sussex, are set to face magistrates on Thursday alongside the
hunt secretary Rachel Holdsworth, 47, and the former huntsman, Andrew Phillis, 50. The case follows almost three decades of bad blood between the hunt and a local group of saboteurs now operating
as a “wildlife protection group” dedicated to “monitoring” their activities. It has posted videos
online showing angry verbal and, at times, physical confrontations between huntsmen and activists. The Countryside Alliance
said the case could prove a key test of what had become an “unworkable” law introduced by Tony Blair six years
ago. Although around 180 people have been prosecuted under the act almost all were poachers. Only six members of recognised
hunts have been convicted including Tony Wright, a huntsman from Devon, who was later cleared on appeal. The cases have hinged on complex interpretations of a law which outlaws deliberately setting dogs on foxes
but has left uncertainty over “accidental” kills. Since the ban, traditional hunts have switched to simulated scent trails but there have been incidents in
which hounds have gone after foxes. The current case centres on footage gathered in January in woods behind Shermanbury Place,
an 18th Century country house, said to show a fox running through the horses legs being chased by the hounds. Antony Sandeman,
the senior master of the hunt, said the four would vigorously contest the allegations. “The Crawley and Horsham Hunt
has carried out legal hunting activity since the Hunting Act came into force in February 2005," he said. "The hunt
has been the subject of endless allegation during those six years ... but no one connected to the hunt has ever been convicted
of a Hunting Act offence.” Michelle Nudds, South East Regional Director for the Countryside Alliance, said: “The
Countryside Alliance will be watching the case with interest and providing support to those involved. Since the inception
of the Hunting Act just six of over 180 convictions have involved registered hunts, showing that the Hunting Act is an expensive
and failed law that is in dire need of repeal.”
POWAperson
SAYS:- See West Sussex Wildlife Protection's website for reports on and video of incidents in January and February which were investigated by the
police. POWA pays tribute to Simon and Jane Wild and their colleagues
whose persistence and courage has led to these charges and helped expose this appalling Hunt's behaviour. The C&H's
most prominent member is MP and former Defence Minister Nicholas 'Fatty' Soames, a grandson of Winston Churchill.
He was fined in 2008 after being filmed driving an uninsured quad bike on a public road during a meet, carrying unsecured
children. But the Hunt has a much darker side, with a litany of allegations
of, and charges and convictions for, significant violence, abuse and criminal damage against monitors and sabs.
In 2007 LACS released a devastating undercover exposure of their activities which, amazingly, led to no
charges. In 2009, the Hunt had to humiliatingly drop an attempt to
injunct monitors to prevent them operating against the C&H, at an estimated cost of £130,000. The Wilds
maintain that they have obtained mountains of video evidence of illegal hunting by the C&H since the Hunting Act came
into force, some of which can be seen on youtube but this is the first time the authorities have seen
fit to bring charges. Daily
Telegraph 23-8-11 Hunt master and riders charged with illegally
killing foxes A hunt master and four other
hunt members will this week appear before magistrates charged with illegally killing foxesHenry Hawksfield, joint master of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt, West Sussex, was filmed by hunt saboteurs
at three meets in January and February this year.. The videos allegedly showed him using hounds to kill foxes and prompted
a police investigation. The 58-year-old from Partridge Green, near Horsham, Neil Millard, 44, from nearby Shipley, Rachel
Holdsworth, from Washington, near Storrington and Andrew Phillis, 50, from Totnes in Devon, will all make their first appearance
at Crawley magistrates on Thursday. They have been charged under the Hunting Act 2004, which banned hunting all mammals with
dogs. Since the Act came into force seven years ago, only about 10 members of organised hunts have been prosecuted. Anyone
found guilty of a fox hunting offence can be fined up to £5,000 and have their hounds and vehicles confiscated. The
Crawley and Horsham Hunt, which has 70 members, refused to comment until after the case.
Brighton Argus 23-8-11 Fox
Hunters to appear in court Four people are to appear in court
in the first fox hunting prosecution in Sussex. The quartet, who are all members of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt, are accused of illegally hunting
a fox with a dog contrary to the Hunting Act 2004. Sussex Police launched an investigation after videos allegedly showing a fox being killed
during a hunt were passed to the force by members of the public. Joint master of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt Henry James
Hawksfield, 58, of Bines Road, Partridge Green, near Horsham, Rachel Holdsworth of Rock Road, Washington, near Storrington,
Neil Millard, 44, of Dragons Lane, Shipley, near Horsham, and Andrew Phillis, 50, of Halwell, Totnes, in Devon, have been
summonsed to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court to face four charges under Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004. They are
due to appear in court on Thursday. The offences are said to have occurred at meets of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt on January
18 in Southwater, on January 25 in Shermanbury and on February 15 in Twineham and Shermanbury.
JULY 2011
Supporter of the P.M.'s Hunt cautioned for attack on monitorHunt Monitors
Association Press Release 23-7-11 HEYTHROP HUNT SUPPORTER CAUTIONED
FOR PUNCHING ANTI-HUNT MONITOR Assault happened near Cameron's home Sara
Hanks, a supporter of the Heythrop Hunt, has been cautioned by Chipping Norton Police for punching a female hunt monitor on
5th March this year. Monitor Paula Cheyne was trying to film the activities of the Heythrop Hunt at Dean, near Chipping Norton,
when she was approached by Hanks. After a brief exchange, Hanks suddenly punched Mrs Cheyne in the face, causing swelling
and bruising to her face. The assault was actually witnessed by police officer PC Phil Marstin of Chipping Norton Police.
Mrs Cheyne is disappointed that Hanks has only received a caution. She said "I was extremely shocked by this assault,
and I was also physically injured. We monitors suffer a great deal of intimidation and obstruction, with the Heythrop supporters
being some of the worst in this respect. People who lash out at law abiding citizens should be punished appropriately."
Penny Little of the Hunt Monitors Association said "Sara Hanks is frequently obstructive and vocally offensive to the
monitors, as our footage can prove. On this occasion she punched a woman in the face. This kind of violence is shocking and
raises once again both the question of why the hunts keep trying to obstruct our cameras, and why the prosecuting authorities
refuse to deal with the disgraceful situation surrounding hunting since the ban came into effect. Hunt monitors are non-violent
and deserve protection from these violent people." We understand Sara Hanks works at the Cotswold School, Bourton on
the Water. Parents may be concerned to learn that a person of this type is in contact with their children. Dean, where the
assault took place, is where David Cameron has his country home. Mr Cameron is a vocal supporter of fox hunting, and has pledged
to repeal the ban at the earliest opportunity. Charlie and Rebekah Brooks are supporters of the Heythrop Hunt. Cotswold Journal 28.7.11 Heythrop Hunt, near Chipping Norton, punch punishment is criticised - A FOX hunt monitor who was punched in the face by a hunting supporter has criticised
the police punishment given to the offender. Hunt monitor Paula Cheyne was filming the activities of the Heythrop Hunt at
Dean, near Chipping Norton, on March 5 when she was approached by a supporter of the hunt. After a brief exchange, a punch
was thrown at Mrs Cheyne for which the person received a caution from Chipping Norton Police. Mrs Cheyne, a member of the
Hunt Monitors Association, was disappointed that her attacker received a caution for the assault, believing the punishment
to be too lenient. She
said: "I was extremely shocked by this assault, and I was also physically injured. We monitors suffer a great deal of
intimidation and obstruction. People who lash out at lawabiding citizens should be punished appropriately." Penny Little, of the Hunt Monitors
Association, said: "This kind of violence is shocking. It raises once again both the question of why the hunts keep trying
to obstruct our cameras and why the prosecuting authorities refuse to deal with the disgraceful situation surrounding hunting
since the ban came into effect. Hunt monitors are non-violent and deserve protection." Howard Woolliams, Heythrop Hunt
Master, said: "It was pure provocation. We are constantly hounded by the hunt monitors. We are acting within the law
and they are always out there filming us trying to prove we are hunting illegally. They even film the children on the hunt
and they are not meant to." Adam Fisher, Thames Valley Police spokesman, said: "We can confirm a 46-year-old woman
from Cheltenham was given a caution after she punched another female hunt monitor in the face. The victim, a 47-year-old woman
from Milton Keynes, suffered reddening.
In 2007, the Daily Mirror
published an article entitled David Cameron link to violent hunt
One of the Heythrop FH's greatest friends,
David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of Gt.Britain & N.Ireland. Seen here with his mate Guy Avis, Secretary of the Heythrop,
in 2007
POWA REVIEW OF HUNTING SEASON, 2010-11 Colour code key:-
Red - relates to proven or alleged illegality Green
- relates to hunt havoc Brown - relates to both
Pink - relates to claimed fox attacks or articles about foxes This year's
review contains some reports of alleged urban fox attacks on pets and people. Whilst not directly bloodsports-related the
emergence and profligacy of these is, to say the least, suspicious in the context of the coming to power of a faction that
wishes to repeal the Hunting Act, is known for its ruthless duplicity and has an interest in demonising foxes. JULY 2010 - 2 Coniston FH followers cautioned
by police after 2 LACS monitors assaulted during a hunt. Carlisle News & Star 1-7-10 Coniston hunt bullies You Tube
- LACS, RSPCA and IFAW announce that they are to work closely together again to campaign against repeal of the Hunting
Act. Western Morning News 2-7-10
- Claimed that Hunts have backed plans for a Hunting Regulatory Authority should hunting be re-legalised.
It's remit would be to ‘stamp out' any ‘unnecessary cruelty' in the practise of the ‘sport'
and that the Donoughue Bill will be brought forward ‘in the coming months'. Sunday Telegraph 4-7-10
- At the height of the media frenzy following the reported attack on two babies by a
fox in Hackney, BBC screens a Panorama documentary on the incident and the newspapers are replete with other stories
of people claiming to have been terrorised by foxes. Fox attack twins Wales Online Fox attacked me in my bed Sun Fox-gets-into-home-thru cat flap Surrey Herald Fearless_fox_looked_me_in_the.eye Kent Online Pet-dog-killed-latest-attack-urban-fox Daily Mail
- A new Scottish drag hunt, the Highland Drag, is forced to close before it has begun. The
huntsman hired turned out to be on the run from Thames Valley police over a series of fraud offences, and was arrested.
Horse and hound 10-7
- Northern Ireland Assembly votes to extend ban on hunting of hares to include coursing. Irish Independent 11-7
- More stories of fiendish fox activity, invading bedrooms, hit the press. Newsshopper This is Total Essex
- Alistair Robertson of the Ullswater FH convicted of illegal hunting
after filmed digging out fox and beating it to death with a stick, by LACS monitors. Fined £250, with £900 costs.
Cumbria News & Star
- Huntsman and terrierman of the Fernie FH, Derek Hopkins and Kevin
Allen, charged with offences under the Hunting and Badger Protection Acts after filmed by LACS monitors. This is Leicestershire
- Three officials of the Sinnington FH appear at Scarborough Magistrates Court
charged with illegal hunting. Scarborough Evening News 24-7-10 Horse and Hound
AUGUST 2010
- Facebook
footage showing a fox being beaten to death revealed as an elaborate hoax. Supposedly posted by a group called ‘Urban
Foxhunters', it was actually part of a campaign of feeding ludicrous stories to the tabloid press to show what rubbish
they will publish as fact. Daily Mirror 3-8-10 Guardian Daily Telegraph 8-8-10
- 13 year old girl reportedly bitten on foot by a fox while camping
in her garden. BBC News online
- Inquest finds that Michael Skuse, Chairman of the Worcestershire FH, committed suicide after building
up huge debts. Droitwich Advertiser 5-8-10
- Reported that LACS is to sell some of
its sanctuary land to help fund the campaign against Hunting Act repeal. This is Devon
- Staffordshire man jailed for causing unnecessary suffering to fox
he trapped in pen with his Bull Terrier, then later bludgeoned it to death is. He is imprisoned for five months. Daily
Telegraph 9-8-10 This is Derbyshire
- Two Scottish gamekeepers are acquitted of causing animal fights after allegedly putting two terriers into a badger
sett after a fox. BBC News Scotland
- Wales Against Cruelty stages protest in Rhyl against Hunting Act repeal and start of cub hunting season.
Denbighshire Visitor 18-8-10
- Terrier man of the South Devon FH, Andrew
Bellamy, faces prosecution for interfering with a badger sett, during a fox hunt. This is Devon
- Story reported of fox squeezing through a bedroom window in Kent and killing a kitten.
[Later inquiries suggest the family's pet dog was responsible. ] Daily Mail 26-8-10
- 58
year old woman evicted from her tied cottage in Cumbria by the Melbreak FH, after her son, who was the Huntsman,
died of cancer. The family had been hunt servants for three generations. Carlisle News & Star 27-8-10
SEPTEMBER 2010 - Tony Blair's memoirs
published. He writes that he regretted the passage of the Hunting Act, but claims he sabotaged it effectively by ensuring
their were plenty of loopholes. Also says he told Police Minister Hazel Blears not to enforce it. Blair was persuaded of the
merits of the hunters' case by a female Hunt Master, while on holiday in ‘Chiantishire'. Despite his apparent
admission of attempting to pervert the course of justice, Mr. Blair remains at liberty. Farmers Weekly Guardian Telegraph
- The Kimblewick FH is formed from the amalgamation of the Vale of Aylesbury FH and the Garth and
S.Berks FH. Reportedly the MFHA had to intervene to sort out the warring factions within the Hunts. Horse and Hound
- Brian May's Save Me organisation announces a National Day of Action for British wildlife on
September 18th, in association with Viva and Uncaged! Save Me
- London lawyer claims fox bit her ear while she was asleep at home. Telegraph
- League Against Cruel Sports publishes new report "Hunting with Dogs: Past, Present but no future"
LACS website
- Demonstrations against repeal of the Hunting Act reported in Wrexham, Knutsford, Cambridge, Torquay and Exeter. FlintshireChronicle Knutsford Guardian Cambridge News This is Devon
- Active huntswoman Alice Barnard is to be the new CEO of Countryside Alliance. Barnard, 33, a corporate sales entrepreneur,
hunted with the High Peak Harriers as a child and now rides with a Leicestershire pack. She succeeds Simon Hart, who was elected
as an MP in the General Election Farmers Guardian
- Police investigating claims of illegal hunting at Painswick, Gloucestershire.
Stroud Journal
- LACS says Worcestershire hunt hound killed when pack strayed on to a busy road, with no huntsmen
present. LACS
- Lengthy article ‘How the police support unlawful hunting' by hunter-turned-Animal-Rights-activist Lynn
Sawyer is published. Indymedia
- Hilary Benn, Shadow Environment Secretary tells Conference Labour will fight plans to repeal the Hunting Act ‘every
step of the way'. Guardian
OCTOBER 2010 - After 25 years, Captain Ian Farquhar retires as
huntsman of the Beaufort FH. He will remain a JM. Farquhar is a close friend of Prince Charles and lives
on Highgrove Estate. Daily Mail Some highlights from the career of this supreme fox and hound killer:-
In the 1990/91 season, a judge threatened to jail him for contempt if he again broke an undertaking not to trespass on a Wiltshire
Farm. In the early 90s he was acquitted on appeal of interfering with a badger sett, on a technicality. In ‘98/9 he
was fined £6000 for allowing a river to be polluted with insecticide. On the last day of 2009, his hounds, supposedly
‘trail-hunting' charged across a main railway line and several were killed by a train.
- Mendip
Farmers FH face storm of protest from villagers when they try to relocate their kennels to Splot.
This is Dorset 7-10-10
- Conservatives Against Fox Hunting hold a ‘breakfast briefing' as a fringe
event at the Conservative Party Conference. Independent
- Tenby Council refuses S.Pembrokeshire FH's request to resume staging a meet in the
town square. Tenby-today
- Keen fox hunt follower and shooter Kevin Creed jailed for 7 years after smashing his car while drunk into a wall
near Tetbury, Glos and killing 2 of his friends, one of whom was a teenage girl. Her sister was also badly injured. This was
his SIXTH court appearance involving drink-driving and he was on a suspended sentence on firearms charges. Gloucestershire
Echo 15-10-10 It is thought Creed was a regular Beaufort FH follower, and possibly
an amateur terrierman.
- Senior Worcestershire Tory accused of ‘tirade of abuse' against anti-hunt demonstrators
outside the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. Protesters said that Councillor Ken Pollock, Chair of the W.Worcs
Conservative Association, only stopped, and made himself scarce, when one of them went to fetch a policeman. Worcester News
- In the latest piece of anti-fox hysteria, a Poole woman claims, without any evidence, that
the wounds suffered by her 19 year old tabby ‘must have been' the work of a ‘killer fox' This is Dorset A Bournemouth Echo reader comment:- "Funny how all these menacing foxes have made the headlines
since the elections. Maybe enough bad press and the toffs can prance about on horses "hunting" again."
- In
Ireland, farmers take part in an anti-foxhunting protest outside the Agriculture Ministry in Dublin. Meanwhile, the Ward
Union hunt issues a meet card for the season, though stag hunting has been banned. Irish Times 13&14-10-11
- 8 sabs claim they were attacked and robbed by a dozen hunt supporters whilst monitoring the Mendip
Farmers FH. Some were injured and 4 cameras stolen. The Hunt claimed to know nothing about it. This is Somerset
- LACS buys 48 acres of woodland adjacent to its main Baronsdown sanctuary from under the noses of a shooting syndicate,
causing consternation in the Exmoor bloodsports fraternity. This is Somerset
- Reported that ‘The Emperor', Exmoor's venerable giant stag, had been shot by trophy hunters. After
several days of incredible media hoo-hah it emerged that there was little evidence to back up the claim. Guardian Daily Mail 28-10-10
- Ireland's Ward Union hunt to carry on this season - but apparently
hunting just the scent trail of a deer, not the animal itself. Horse & Hound 25-10-11
- LACS claim their polling
shows that a Hunting Act repeal vote in the Commons would lose heavily. The hunt side dispute their figures. This is Somerset Leicester Mercury
- In the most Grand Guignol moment of ferocious foxes hysteria to date, it is claimed that a
drug user passed out in a Scottish cemetery and had two fingers and his nose bitten off by a
passing fox! The Scottish Sun It was later suggested that a criminal associate with a knife was the more likely culprit.
- Woman resident walking her dog claims she saw the Old Surrey & Burstow FH doing real cub-hunting.
Hunt denies the charge. Kent News 30-10-10
- Stories that around 20 Tory MPs, including both of those
from Brighton, will oppose repeal and could well prevent it happening. Guardian New Statesman 29-10-10 NewsfromBrighton.co.uk
- Animal-costumed IFAW campaigners begin
tour of constituencies where the MP has not stated how they'll vote on repeal in Gillingham, to lobby Tory MP Rehman Chisti.
This is Kent
- IFAW publicise highest yet number of annual Hunting Act convictions in 2009, 57, without
mentioning that not a single one of them was against anyone from an organised Hunt. Guardian
- Large-scale YouGov poll shows strong majorities for retention of the Hunting Act and its proper
enforcement. Of those expressing a preference, 77% wanted it kept and 22% sought repeal. Independent 31-1-10
NOVEMBER 2010
- Over 40 members
of ‘Vets for Hunting'* have a day out with the Vale of Lune Harriers, presumably in order to demonstrate
their deep concern for animal welfare. *the ‘Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management' Horse
& Hound 4-11-10
- Some East Anglian Tory MPs say there will be no vote on the Hunting Act until 2012 at earliest.
The Mirror attributes this to Cameron & says pro-hunt groups are ‘wining and dining' uncommitted MPs.
Daily Mirror
- In the House of Commons, EDM 116 in defence of the Hunting Act, tabled by former LACS Chairman, now MP Chris Williamson,
reaches 200 signatures, a figure rarely obtained by such motions.
- A proposal to extend the England/Wales Hunting
Act to N.Ireland tabled at Stormont Assembly by Brian Wilson, the only Green member. Belfast
Herald 16-11-10
- Prominent hunt sab Joe Hashman sues for unfair dismissal on grounds that he was discriminated
against by his employer because of his anti-bloodsports beliefs. Telegraph
- A JM of the Tynedale FH is told he was ‘very lucky' to avoid conviction
when confirming magistrates had been right to clear him on firearms charges. He had left a loaded rifle on the back seat of
his parked car. Newcastle Journal
- Kate Middleton enjoys some bloodsports practice in readiness for joining ‘The Firm' Wales Online
- The Queen is photographed bashing a wounded pheasant's head in with her walking stick. This is the second time
she's been snapped thus, though last time she used the purpose-made little club called a ‘priest'.
Daily Mail 21-11-10
- Farmer says E.Devon FH hounds invaded his land
and terrified his cattle, apparently causing one heifer to abort. The Hunt had been banned for 30 years.
This is Exeter
- Quantock SH JM and huntsman Richard Down convicted of illegal hunting, and
fined £375. He was filmed covertly by LACS using more than 2 hounds to pursue a deer. The Hunt claimed the deer had
a broken hip, was being flushed to be shot as an act of mercy, and that the excess dog[s] was an ‘accident' but
video evidence did not support this claim. Down becomes the first Hunt member to register 2 Hunting Act convictions.
BBC News Somerset County Gazette
The weather from late November, right through December and into early January was extremely wintry
and there was very little hunting in most areas. DECEMBER 2010 - Reported
that the repeal vote plans have been shelved ‘indefintely' due to fears they would not win a Commons vote.
Daily Mail
- Both Morrissey and Johnny Marr round on David Cameron for his pro-bloodsports inclinations after the PM said he liked
The Smiths. Manchester Metro 5-12-10
- Notts sabs report being assaulted and intimidated
by hunters and then treated very heavy-handedly by police. Wales Against Cruelty website
- Conservatives
Against Fox Hunting [CFHA] co-host parliamentary briefing with LACS CFHA website
- Three members of the Sinnington FH cleared of illegal hunting after tril at
Scarborough Magistrates' Court. LACS monitors claimed film showed they had deliberately chased a fox, but the Court ruled
that the activity seen was consistent with legal ‘trail' hunting. Judge for yourself by watching the LACS video Northern Echo Stormont MPs decisively reject the hunt ban Bill proposed by sole Assembly Green Party member Brian Wilson. Belfast Newsletter
16-12-10
- Almost all Hunts prevented from going out on Boxing Day by the freezing weather.
- Hunt leaders
in the South West issue a plea to their colleagues in the rest of the country to keep trying to overturn the Hunting Act,
claiming they 'cannot keep going for the long term' under a ban. This is Dorset
- Countryside Alliance claims their polling shows 62% think policing Hunting Act not a good use of police resources.
CA website 23-12-10
- LACS issued polls by MORI and YouGov. The first showed that more than three-quarters
of the population believed hunting should remain illegal, including 71 per cent of rural dwellers. The second revealed that
the public trust bankers more than hunters to regulate themselves. This is Dorset
- RSPCA poll shows 63% saying repeal of Hunting Act would be a backward step for society. RSPCA PR 27-12-10
JANUARY 2011 - A vet releases pics of a giant fox he says
he trapped and killed after it allegedly ate his parents' pet cat. It later emerges he is a bloodsports supporter
and mad-keen falconer. Mail Sky News
- Both the huntsman and the terrierman of the Fernie FH are convicted of breaching
the Hunting Act and the Badger Protection Act. Monitors from LACS had filmed them putting a terrier into a sett where a fox
was hiding, while the mounted field looked on. They were fined £850 & £650 respectively. Leicester
Mercury 13-1-11 LACS website [with video]
- DEFRA Minister Jim Paice says repeal of Hunting Act not presently a priority for the Government. Tribune 10-1-11
- Hunt monitors say they witnessed Crawley & Horsham FH chasing & killing a fox.
One monitor grabbed the carcass, but it was snatched back and thrown to hounds. Police did not respond to a 999 call. But
later agreed to investigate. Brighton Argus [with video]
- JM of the S.Shropshire FH, Otis Ferry in Court yet again,
this time charged with failing to give the identity of a driver who had allegedly committed an offence.
Mirror Shropshire Star
- Tribunal at which Joe Hashman , the sab suing his hunt-supporter employers for unfair dismissal begins. Telegraph
- Worthing woman claims fox bit her finger after she found it in her living
room and it ‘ran at her'. Worthing Herald
- Hound, believed to be from the Blencathra FH, run over and killed on A66
in Cumbria. Lake District Herald 15-1-11
- Monitors
claim they filmed the Old Surrey & Burstow FH chasing and killing a fox. The Hunt said it was another
‘accident'. Police are investigating. Brighton Argus 19-1-11
- Railway
Police investigate after train driver says he hit at least one of a number of hounds from the Vale of the White Horse
FH which were on the line. Trains delayed for over an hour. Western Daily Press 19-1-11
- Monitors report filming the Cattistock FH hunting immediately adjacent to a busy A-road.
Western Daily Press 19-1-11
- Caroline Spelman, DEFRA Secretary of State, confirms that a vote on Hunting Act repeal
is ‘unlikely' to happen this year. Western Morning News 22-1-11
- Police
decide not to prosecute Isle of Wight FH despite video [on You Tube] appearing to clearly show them attempting
to dig fox out of active badger sett [while a policeman watched and refused to act despite monitors' pleas].
Isle of Wight County Press 21-1-11
- Hunt supporters in Bucks attack Speaker John Bercow for saying he now
supports the hunting ban. He had previously supported hunting when he was a Tory MP. Bucks Herald 25-1-11
- Blankney FH being investigated by police after villagers saw fox being pursued by hounds.
Hunt claimed it was an ‘accident'. This is Lincolnshire 25-1-11
- The whipper-in
of the Minehead Harriers dies in hospital on 26-1-11, after a hunting accident. Horse & Hound 3-2-11
- Protesters descend on the Scottish veterinary practice of Keith Talbot, who claimed to have
caught and killed the ‘giant fox' [see story above] Dundee Courier
FEBRUARY 2011 - Terrierman of S.Devon
FH convicted of interfering with and damaging a badger sett in the course of a ‘trail' hunt. Andrew Bellamy
was fined £500 on each count after video evidence from LACS monitors convinced magistrates of his guilt.
Terrier-man-guilty-damaging-badger-sett
- Cornwall woman says fox bit chunk out of her arm after she got out of her car to shoo it out
of her way. Infected wound requires hospital stay and operations. She says fox may have recognised her from the New Years
Day hunt! Fox-bites-lump-mothers-arm Shark bite... by fox
- Fights between protesters and hunters at the Crawley & Horsham FH
are broken up by police using pepper sprays. Sabs claimed they were attacked after intervening to stop illegal hunting, ridden
at and hunt supporters were filmed triying to break their vehicle's window. Brighton Argus 8-2-11
- TV presenter Ben Fogle claims he had to rugby tackle a fox to stop it attacking his Labrador,
while walking it near his London home. Still maintains he likes foxes though. Telegraph
- The Stormont Assembly rejects a move to lift the ban on hare coursing in Ulster. Belfast Telegraph
- David Cameron reiterates that he will vote for repeal of the Hunting Act when the vote is taken ‘in
the months to come'. Western Morning News 11-2-11
- Southampton Labour MP John Denham hosts
rally in support of the Hunting Act in the city. Southampton Labour 10-2-11
- To mark the Hunting Act's
6th anniversary, IFAW's fantastically costumed Freddie the Fox, Harriet Hare and Stan Stag are to present officials
at Defra with more than 10,000 public declarations of support for the hunting ban. IFAW website 15-2-11
- LACS launches ‘ huntmap ' enabling people to chart reports of illegal hunting sent in via Twitter. LACS website thisisnottingham.com
- Sabs at the Cotswold Vale FH claim
several were subjected to a ‘vicious and sustained attack' by hunt staff and supporters, during which a video camera
was stolen. Both men and women, they say, were kicked, punched and pushed over and a hunter tried to ride over one woman.
Hunt Saboteurs Association website
- 3 sabs are acquitted of Aggravated Trespass while monitoring the Grove & Rufford
FH in Notts. The HSA claims that evidence during the trial showed hunt witnesses and police and lied, and that the
Judge reprimanded the CPS for bringing the case to trial. Hunt Sabs Association website
MARCH 2011 - Reported
that female monitor punched in face by female hunt follower of Heythrop FH [later given a Caution]. Witnessed
by police, at Dean Council tip, Oxon. LACS Hunt Map
- DEFRA Minister for, among other things hunting, Jim Paice [strongly pro-hunt] responds to a
question in the Commons from equally pro-hunt L-D MP Roger Williams about alleged fox-dumping from towns into the countryside
as though it were established fact. POWA responds with PR stating it is nothing but a pernicious ‘rural myth' and
demanding he retract his statement. He doesn't, obviously. Telegraph
- Horticulturalist and long-time hunt sab Joe Hashman wins landmark legal verdict at an industrial tribunal. Claiming
his employer sacked him because of his anti-hunt, vegan and environmentalist views, the judge rules he is entitled to have
these respected as though they were religious beliefs. Dorset Echo
- Row erupts as leaked e-mail shows a national senior officer and an official of the Bucks branch of the Countryside
Alliance apparently conspired to try to organise action against a collection for Little Foxes wild animal sanctuary at the
Thame branch of Waitrose. Ms. Little is also a prominent hunt monitor, but stressed that this activity is funded from her
own pocket, not from charity monies. Bucks Free Press
- In a rare good deed [credit where due] the whipper-in of the Worcestershire FH finds a lost and
injured puppy during a ‘trail hunt' and reunites it with its owners. Luckily, it was in a wood where he was searching
for a stray hound and it wasn't discovered by the full pack - or the puppy's fate might have been very different.
Worcester News
- A mother from Strood says she's afraid her kids will be attacked by foxes if she lets
them play in the garden after one of them living under their decking ‘tore a neighbour's cat to shreds.'
This is Kent
- Petition started by residents of Commonmoor as villagers try to stop the East Cornwall FH
setting up kennels. Looe Today
- The Secretary of the Warwickshire FH, Joe Rugman, 37, is killed in a riding accident at
a cross-country event. Coventry Telegraph
- Rider with the Cotley FH is killed while hunting. Anthony Osborne, 66, died after his horse slipped
and fell on him. Dorset Echo
- Six sabs arrested at meet of Cotswold Vale FH, five of them
for ‘offensive weapons'. Sabs claim police reaction to a call-out by the Hunt was grossly disproportionate, including
‘1 helicopter, 6 squad cars, 2 unmarked police vehicles, 2 riot vans, 1 Range Rover carrying taser guns, 1 armed
response car', and that the ‘offensive weapons' were just pieces of normal sabbing equipment. Info
from HSA
- League Against Cruel Sports new boss is to be Joe Duckworth, former CEO of Newham Borough Council, who
will replace retiring head Douglas Bachelor. Horse and Hound
- The Huntsman and terrierman of the Fernie FH are to appeal against their
convictions for Hunting and Badger Act offences in January of this year. Leicester Mercury
APRIL 2011 - LACS claims evidence of a big shift in opinion
in the House of Lords re. the Hunting Act. A ComResPoll found less than half of peers, formerly very pro-hunt, supporting
repeal [49%] with 43% against. This is Somerset
- Broadcaster Jenni Murray claims her pet chihuahua was savaged by a fox in her garden.
Daily Mail
- Fisherman claims he was bitten on the face by a fox while dozing in his bivouac. Telegraph
- Telegraph publishes article by a vet rubbishing the Daily Mail's claim of a lungworm
epidemic in dogs being spread by urban foxes. D.Telegraph 8-4-11
MAY
2011 - Member of the Tivyside FH convicted of battery
against a 75 year old LACS monitor, Huw Green assaulted and abused Michael Sharatt as he was trying to film Hunt activity.
Green was fined £55. Wales Online [inc. video]
- Dundee pensioner claims her cat killed by 2 foxes outside her home.
The Courier
- Badger Trust members and hunt monitors protested repeated inaction by police against the Isle
of Wight FH's breaching of the Hunting Act and digging into badger setts, outside Hampshire Police HQ at Winchester.
Isle of Wight County Times
- A veteran Cumbrian sab is acquitted of assaulting a Master of the Blencathra FH.
Andrew Watson had been accused of kneeing Michael Thompson in the thigh, but said he only pushed him away after the hunter
invaded his personal space aggressively. News and Star
- A National Wildlife Crime Unit police analysis says 1/3 of all reports of
illegal fox hunting are from the South-West and should be a priority for the area's forces. Western Morning
News 20-5-11 W.Daily Press 26-5-11
- Protests by neighbours after a resident of Kentish
Town, N.London, calls in marksmen to kill foxes digging holes in his garden. One fox was killed. Telegraph
JUNE 2011 - The 6 sabs arrested at a Cotswold
Vale FH meet in March are told they will face no charges. Sabs say they will consider complaints about police conduct
and suing for wrongful arrest. Gloucestershire Echo
- Student in Stockwell, London says fox bit him on the eyelid while he slept.
Evening Standard
- Oxford man calls for action after urban fox kills 4 chickens in front of children. Oxford Mail
- Grandparents say very worried by fox prowling near part-open rooflight beneath which infant
granddaughter was asleep. Wiltshire Gazette 11-6-11
POWA Review of Hunting
Season 2009-2010
There have been rather less events of havoc and law-breaking reported this season than
usual. This will, in part, be due to the severe winter weather that caused a lot of cancellations, but it may be that a lot
of Hunts have been trying to be on their best behaviour, with the election approaching. Also, there was very little news of
sab-hunter encounters after Boxing Day, as the HSA press release section on their website wasn't being updated. More than
enough mayhem to be going on with, though and lots of political news too. LACS report on the season records 51 instances of
reported havoc, though they give no details. Details of only about 20 are known to POWA and are included below. Items are colour coded:- Green - havoc Red
- proven or alleged law-breaking Brown - both JULY
2009 Golden Valley FH in Herefordshire refused planning permission for
new kennels due to strength of local opposition to plans. Hereford Times 9-7-09 William
Hague MP said to have assured Master of Foxhounds Association that Tories will make repealing the Hunting Act a priority,
if elected. He ‘gave the 400 assembled masters everything they wanted to hear and
more', Countryside Alliance chief Simon Hart said of the meeting.' Daily Mail
Crawley & Horsham FH drop court case seeking injunction
against Sussex monitors. Judge had made severe criticisms of their claim at a hearing in 2008. Monitors believe case dropped
because they had strong video evidence of illegal hunting. Press Release, West Sussex Wildlife Protection 14-7-09, Brighton
Argus 16-7-09
YouGov poll shows 70% backing for Hunting Act
and 59% saying they'd be less likely to vote for a candidate who favoured repeal. Daily Mirror 17-7-09 Speaking
at the Peterborough Foxhound Show, Shadow Secretary for the Environment Nick Herbert MP [former avid hare hunter and BFSS/CA
high-up] confirms pledge to allow vote on repeal of Hunting Act would be in the Conservative manifesto. Horse & Hound
1-8-09
Champion National Hunt trainer Peter Easterby and Major John Shaw
at long last convicted of permitting land to be used for a hare-coursing event in North Yorkshire. IFAW monitors had secretly
filmed it in 2007, and IFAW brought the prosecution. Claimed to have been advised by barrister and police officer that it
was legal, but it was a poorly disguised attempt to make it look like a 'field trial'. Both got Absolute Discharges. Gazette&Herald
AUGUST 2009 Resident of Upper
Godney, Somerset, claims that hounds from an unidentified [probably a mink] hunt driven
across river by hunters into her garden. Killed pet duck. This is Somerset Robert McCarthy, huntsman of the Percy FH, [convicted of 2 charges of badger
sett interference, in 2007] has illegal hunting charges against him dismissed by judge because of insufficient evidence.
Northumberland Gazette 13-8-09
11 Hunt saboteurs each received over £3,000
after settling with the Derbyshire Constabulary following their wrongful arrest in January 2008. The saboteurs were at the
Meynell and S.Staffs FH when they were arrested under anti-trade union legislation after the police deployed
the force helicopter and dog units...... HSA website
SEPTEMBER 2009 Celebrity chef and bloodsports fanatic
Clarissa Dickson-Wright and Sir Mark Prescott, former boss of hare-coursing when it was legal, convicted of attending the
hare coursing event referred to under 'July' above. Guardian 1-1-09 Hounds and riders from the Quantock SH are filmed trespassing on LACS sanctuary and scattering
deer. You Tube - Quantock SH trespass
The tyres of a car belonging to a prominent hunt monitor, who runs a wildlife sanctuary,
are slashed outside her house late at night by two men, Says this is the 19th attack on her property. Captured
on CCTV but not identifiable. Hours later another nearby monitor finds a gate on his property sabotaged. The Heythrop
FH were meeting in the vicinity the next day. Police investigated, culprits not caught. Oxford Mail
14-10-09 + Victim report Illegal hunting case against John Harrison, huntsman of the Ullswater
FH, dismissed by judge because of 'insufficient evidence [just video film and several monitors' eye-witness
accounts]. Horse & Hound IPSOS/MORI poll for LACS shows 76% want Hunting Act to stay. Only a third of Tory voters want it repealed and
a mere 22% of rural dwellers. Western Morning News
OCTOBER 2009
David Cameron reaffirms his intention to stage
a vote on repealing the Hunting Act if he becomes PM. Independent
MFHA Chairman, Stephen Lambert, writes to Hunts advising them to try to avoid conflict with
monitors because "Their prime objective is, without doubt, to inflame our supporters and trigger a serious public order
incident in which hunting people will be shown as the aggressors." Horse and Hound 10-10-09 After
Cameron hint that any Tory Hunting Act repeal bill may be a Private Member's one, the S.Telegraph reports ‘leading
countryside campaigners' going ape. One hunter quoted as saying ‘There will be a firestorm if it is not a government
bill.' Sunday Telegraph 11-10-09 After the Green Party joins Fianna Fail in the governing
coalition in Ireland, the Greens get them to agree to include bans on stag hunting and fur farming in their legislative programme.
Irish Independent 12-10-09 Hounds rampage through the S.Wales village of Cilfynnyd. One hound
impales itself on railings and is abandoned by the hunt. Distraught villagers unable to help it say it took four hours to
die. LACS initially accused the Ghelligaer FH, but they denied it was them, though a vehicle believed to
be linked to them was apparently used to retrieve the corpse. [NB. No media covered this story, though LACS press-released
it.] LACS Press Release 13-10-09
Lush Cosmetics launches a ‘Fabulous Mr.Fox'
bubble bath and its joint campaign with the HSA highlighting breaches of the Hunting Act and calling for greater enforcement,
in dozens of stores nationwide. This sends the hunters into a lather and Horse and Hound calls on them to boycott Lush.. Independent
14-10-09 Under pressure from hunt groups, Nick Herbert announces a rapid rethink at Tory High Command and says the
planned Hunting Act repeal will be a government bill after all. Sunday Telegraph 17-10-09
A string of Lush stores around the country are attacked by hunting supporters, including criminal damage and
threats to young, female staff. Daily Mail and Kent News LACS writes to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after it is revealed Tory Shadow Sec. of State for the Environment
has received £24,500 in donations from bloodsports supporters. Labour Matters 19-9-09 POWA discover that
Simon Hart, CA Chairman, standing for the Tories in Carmarthen West, has received funding from 2 foxhunters, Lord Daresbury
and Johan Christofferson, totalling £42,000. Evidence on Electoral Commission website Tory MP Edward
Garnier, Chair of the Hunting Act Repeal Committee, proposes there should be a hunting watchdog set up ‘which would
ensure good behaviour and recognition of the rules.' Leicester Mercury 20-10-09 Announced that Hilary
Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, will lead Labour's online ‘Back the Ban' campaign to oppose repeal
of the Hunting Act. Western Morning News 23-10-09 The Vale of Aylesbury FH,
being monitored, has a hound run into the road where a passing car hits it. Driver and monitors search for the injured hound,
the hunters aren't interested. Witness report At the same meet, the Vale
of Aylesbury FH whipper-in, Edward Winnington verbally abuses a female monitor and is given an £80 fixed penalty
fine. Witness report A Tedworth FH servant is accused by two
monitors of deliberately running them down with a quad bike on a public path. They receive cuts and bruising. Police investigate.
Two sabs claim run down by Tedworth hunt servant A man and a woman sabbing the Southdown and Eridge FH claim they were attacked
by a gang of about 10 hunt supporters. Allegedly, the man had his car door slammed on his head, repeatedly punched in the
face and threatened with a knife. The woman was knocked down and someone tried to steal her mobile. One man was arrested.
Not known if charged. Southdown and Eridge FH supporters attack male and female sabs
NOVEMBER 2009 LACS complains
that Devon & Cornwall police failed to act on video evidence provided to them of a ‘textbook' breach of the
Hunting Act by the Mid Devon FH. The offence ‘timed out' after 6 months. BBC were to show part
of video of the incident on Countryfile, but pulled it at last minute. Western Morning News 6-11-09
Footage at Mid-Devon FH incident Countryside Alliance claim that their own survey of Hunts suggest that participation has increased significantly
since the ban, support from local communities has increased and only 6% of Hunts have reduced staffing levels. Observer
8-11-09 Sabs allege that a gang from the Rockwood Harriers attacked one
of their vehicles while two occupants in it, with weapons. Smashed windscreen, both rear windows and one of the tyres. Sabs
shocked and shaken. Claimed that Police detained the victims and other sabs for 3 hours and refused
to act on the attack. Rockwood Harriers supporters attack sab vehicle Revealed that Stephen Hester, who Gordon Brown appointed to head the largely government-owned Royal Bank of Scotland,
is a ‘stalwart' of the Warwickshire FH and his wife, Barbara Apt, is one of their JMs.
Daily Telegraph 14-11-09 Hounds from the Cattistock FH filmed out of
control on main road in wet and misty conditions by monitors. Witness report Hunt Secretary in Ireland is awarded 87,000 euros in damages after she was injured 4 years earlier by a ‘flying
dog', a hound from Island FH hit by a bus. The dog died. Irish Independent 14-11-10 Father complains that S.Dorset FH invaded their garden and one rider made an obscene gesture
at his 7 year old daughter when she shouted at them to get out. Hunt spokesman apologised but claimed they were in a neighbouring
field, not the garden. Dorset Echo 26-11-10 Monitors of the newly formed HuntCrimeWatch
Scotland claim that the terrierman of the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire FH approached one of them and fired
a gun at his head from point-blank range, narrowly missing him. Also allege that despite five witnesses and video footage,
police refused to act. Terrierman shoots at sab
DECEMBER 2009
A
couple from Broadway, Worcs accused the N.Cotswold FH of letting hounds run riot in their garden. The
fence was broken, their pet dachshund had to be rescued and damage was done to plant pots and a memorial area. A Master said
he was unaware of the incident but apologised anyway. Evesham Journal, 3-12-09 Wildlife Centre Manager at a nature reserve says 'baying hounds' from the Bramham and Badsworth
FH rampaged through the reserve in pursuit of a fox. The Hunt apologised. Selby Times 11-12-09 Park Beagles filmed apparently blatantly hare hunting in Somerset. Police given tape, but,
to date, nothing has happened. Beaglers hunting hare in Somerset Pro-hunt journalist Charlie Brooks reveals that his wife, former Sun editor Rebekah, now CEO of Rupert Murdoch's
News International group [also own the Times and Sky], is to attend a meet in the Cotswolds on Boxing Day with him . Rebekah Brooks and hunting
Gary Watchman, Huntsman of the S.Durham FH, is cleared of a charge
of assaulting 2 hunt monitors. They had claimed he hit them with a riding crop, barged into one of them and tried to steal
their equipment. Northern Echo 15-12-09 European Court of Human Rights rules that the
Hunting Act does not breach the European Convention, after case brought by Countryside Alliance. The Court refused a CA request
for a hearing. Daily Telegraph 18-12-09
A judge states that the Regulation of Investigatory
Powers Act [RIPA] extends to covert monitoring IF this is done at the behest of the police or other public authority, and
its use would have to be shown to be a ‘proportionate response'. Hunters use this very limited ruling to claim that
ALL monitoring film evidence may be inadmissible [which is patent nonsense, as a later CPS statement confirmed].
Times 26-12-09 + Horse & Hound 10-1-10 + Farmers' Guardian 20-1-10 On Boxing Day, Hilary Benn, Environment
Secretary appeals for people to support ‘Back the Ban' and reveals celebrity support for the campaign. He attacks
Cameron's obsession with hunting. BBC News Online 26-12-09 Cotley Harriers
supporter verbally abuses female monitor, for which she later receives police summons. The woman had been cautioned for assaulting
the monitor a year earlier. Victim account Countryside Alliance claims over 250,000 turned
out to support Boxing Day meets. News of the World 27-12-09 Otis Ferry, Master of the S.Shropshire
FH [5 criminal convictions/cautions, + over 4 months on remand accused of assault and robbery of two female monitors]
gives an interview to the Sunday Times, replete with foul language, in which he manages to insult non-white immigrants
and the ‘Loose Women' team, calls a Labour MP a ‘bitch' and comes across as a stary-eyed right-wing bigot
and total bloodsports obsessive. Sunday Times 27-12-09 On last day
of the year, six hounds from the Beaufort FH killed when pack runs across main rail line between London and
Bristol near Wooton Bassett, Wilts. Line is closed for half an hour. Hunt claim to be ‘devastated' and insist that
they were 'trail hunting'. Western Daily Press 1-1-10 Freezing weather in late December
& January caused much hunting to be called off. JANUARY 2010 An Irish
letter-writer, who opposes proposed ban on stag hunting there, and says he hunts in England, gives the game away by writing
"I can assure your readers that foxes are still being culled there in the traditional manner,
law or no law. Drag hunting is simply a subterfuge the hunting community have been forced into... "
Irish Times 1-1-10 Charity Commission bans LACS from highlighting the letters that spell ‘cruel'
and ‘tory' in their online ‘Keep Cruelty History' campaign. Civil Society website Isle of Wight FH terrierman, Jamie Butcher [a convicted badger baiter] is fined £80
for a public order offence after exposing himself to male and female monitors on a public road during a hunt.Isle of Wight Hunt exposed Hounds from the Worcestershire FH, apparently after a fox, charge through a
housing estate in Droitwich, damaging gardens and forcing a mother to snatch her toddler's pushchair out of their way.
A Hunt Master explained it as 'a training incident that went wrong'. He did not apologise. Daily Mail - residents left terrified
FEBRUARY 2010 Couple's land in Gloucestershire
invaded by 10-15 hounds, apparently from the Warwickshire Beagles, where they caught and badly savaged a
small deer. Owners shooed the dogs off, but the deer died soon after. Huntsman acknowledged it shouldn't have happened,
but no apology recorded. Claimed they were 'hunting rabbits'. For reasons best known to them, couple would not report
to police or speak to media. Cruel Sports.wordpress.com CPS drop case against Chris Leadbetter, terrierman of the S.Dorset FH,
who had faced two charges relating to digging into a badger sett [covertly filmed], claiming they had ‘insufficient
evidence'. Horse & Hound 10-12-10 Market Drayton man reports that he was
forced to brake when he rounded a bend and came across an unidentified hunt riding in the middle of the road
with full pack on the A41 in Shropshire. Hunters abuse him and followers make obscene gestures after he remonstrates. Reports
incident to police.. Shropshire Star 10-2-10
Landowner claims S.Shropshire
FH pack ripped a fox apart in her garden. She found its mangled corpse. Also found her pet cat terrified in a barn
and her horses huddled in corner of a field. Says hunters laughed at and abused her as well. Master Otis Ferry claimed they'd
lost control of 'trail hunting' hounds. No apology recorded. Hunt had been warned not to trespass on land before.
Shropshire Star 16-2-10
Hilary Benn, Environment Secretary, writes to David Cameron
forcefully challenging him to ‘come clean about Tory plans to repeal the Hunting Act. Celebrities step up in support
of ‘Back the Ban' and LACS issues video of horrified celebs watching horrific hunting footage. Western Morning
News 18-2-10 Dorset monitor finds rear windscreen smashed on morning when she was intending
to monitor Cattistock FH, who were meeting a mile away. CCTV showed two men shielding their faces
approaching her car in the night before. It was the 5th anniversary of the start of the Hunting Act. Hunt denies
involvement. Victim report + Western Gazette 26-2-10 LACS trustee
reports E.Devon FH and Axe Vale FH after videoing them entering hounds into areas where
it would have been very difficult to lay a trail, during a joint meet. He claimed they were illegally seeking foxes. The Hunts
denied any wrongdoing. Western Morning News 22-2-10 3 hounds from the Seavington
FH killed as pack dashes on to the dual carriageway A303 near Tintinhull, Somerset. Traffic chaos. One car containing
a French couple and 2 small children badly damaged and they very shaken. Only one rIder on scene. Travellers helped shoo dogs
off the road. Police investigated. Western Gazette 25-2-10
Landowner
writes to N.Shropshire FH, complaining powerfully of invasion of his property by the hound pack. In-lamb
ewes, and other animals, were disturbed, a ram impaled itself on barbed wire and was trampled over. Fences were damaged. Owner
had phoned on the morning of the meet and asked them not to come near. Says hunt servant displayed ‘arrogance and objurgation'.
Threatened to sue Hunt if trespassed again and reported incident to police. Adds that neighbour was also invaded. Cruel Sports.wordpress.com MARCH 2010 Report of hound from unidentified Hunt
killed on A35 between Axminster and Lyme Regis. Cruel Sports.wordpress.com Another Dorset monitor finds all car tyres slashed when he returns to it after five minutes
while monitoring the Cattistock FH, having previously been confronted and abused by a balaclaved hunt supporter.
Western Gazette 11-3-10
Hounds from unidentified hunt run
amok on LACS sanctuary near Minehead, Somerset and a dozen attack badger sett. Video on LACS website. LACS Press
Release 12-3-10
Revealed that supporters of the Old Berkshire FH and the Vale
of Aylesbury FH are campaigning against Labour anti-hunt MPs in Harrow, N.London [presumably part of the Vote OK
operation]. Harrow Times 12-3-10 Newry Harriers hounds savage
and kill pet terrier in front of child owner. Children say huntsman dismounted, tossed remains into a hedge. When they asked
if their dog was dead he just said 'Yes', remounted and rode off. The USPCA condemns the Hunt and buys the children
a new puppy. BBC News
The pilot of a gyrocopter that had been monitoring the Warwickshire FH,
when a hunt marshall died
after coming into contact with its rotor blades on the ground, is acquitted of a charge of
manslaughter. During the trial, evidence emerged suggestive of a conspiracy within the Hunt to detain the copter. Surely coincidentally,
a Warwickshire JM and Otis Ferry, fresh from a bail hearing, appeared at the isolated airfield very soon after of the incident.
Reportedly, a police officer affirmed that the dead man had committed a criminal offence in attempting to block its take-off.
Numerous media sources + reports direct from people attending trial
Reported that Lady Sarah McCorquodale,
sister of the late [anti-hunt] Princess Diana, is to become a JM of the Belvoir FH in Nottinghamshire.
Daily Telegraph 19-3-10 Female protester claims she was assaulted at meeting of the
E.Essex FH. Police investigating. Halstead Gazette 22-3-10 Quantock
SH Joint Master, Richard Down charged with illegal hunting after covert filming operation
by LACS. Mr. Down already has a conviction under the Hunting Act. LACS Press Release 25-3-10
Ullswater FH terrierman, Mr. Robinson charged with illegal hunting
after covert filming operation by LACS. A separate case against the Ullswater Huntsman
failed in 2009. LACS Press Release 25-3-10 Announced that the N.Ireland Assembly's Environment Committee
has voted to ban all snare use in the Province and this will be included in a forthcoming Bill [though they haven't got
round to banning hunting]. LACS Press Release 25-3-10 Gloucestershire man claims he
saw riders from an unidentified hunt on the A433 with hounds chasing a fox across the road, causing traffic
to take evasive action. Wilts & Glos Standard 26-3-10
Natasha
Wheeler, recently appointed Huntsman of the Worcestershire FH, is fined £1,500 for breaching a planning
enforcement notice. She failed to remove a chalet built without permission on her land when ordered to do so. Worcester
News 23-3-10
‘Up to' 5,000 bloodsports fans protest outside the Irish Green Party's
conference in Waterford at the Fianna Fail/Green Party governing coalition's plans to ban stag hunting in Ireland.
Irish Times
Essex and Suffolk FH reported by
inhabitants of the village of Bildeston to have hunted a fox through the streets. Frightened villagers claimed at least one
garden damaged, a pet dog had to be rescued and schoolchildren ushered to safety. Ipswich Evening Star 26-3-10
In a possibly unprecedented incident of havoc from a real drag hunt, the Cranwell
Bloodhounds dogs, on annual visit to Skegness, chase a pet spaniel on the beach and into the boating lake. Spaniel
OK. Skegness Standard 26-3-10
The N.Ireland Green Party announces that it is to introduce a Bill
in the assembly attempting to ban hunting with dogs and coursing in the Province. Irish Times The Independent devotes the whole of its front page to a story about hunters, organised through ‘Vote
OK', descending on marginal constituencies of anti-hunt MPs and candidates to leaflet and canvass for pro-hunt candidates.
Guardian and various regional, local papers follow up the story in the following days. Independent 29-3-10
Guardian 30-3-10
APRIL 2010 BBC Radio 5 Live devotes whole hour of Breakfast
phone-in to hunting and 11 minutes later in day, including a 5 minute interview with Penny Little of POWA. During phone-in,
Clare Rowson [CA Rep, W.Midlands] and Otis Ferry call in without revealing who they really are, but are both unmasked on air.
Presenter Nicky Campbell says he remembers Otis jumping on his back at a CA rally and hurting him. Campbell apologises after
‘accidentally' introducing Tim Bonner, CA, as pro-something that rhymes with hunt but starts with a C. David
Cameron gives newspaper interviews saying the hunt ban was a ‘mistake' because it was very difficult to enforce
and describing himself as a ‘country boy' who was taught to shoot rabbits by his Dad. Confirms will allow free vote
on repeal of Hunting Act. Telegraph
Charity Commission censures LACS, now a charity, for political activity. They had referred to the Conservatives
as '‘he nasty Party''. Guardian
New polling figures re. Hunting Act repeal are released. Monthly polling by YouGov on behalf
of the LACS showed that at no time in the last 9 months has support for the Hunting Act fallen below 64%. On ‘The ban
on hunting wild animals with dogs should be lifted", an average 24% agree whilst 66% disagree. Less than 8% strongly
agree. A poll by ORB on behalf of the CA in December '09 found that only 19% backed repeal. LACS website With
the election campaign five days old, the Hunting debate on BBC South West's Politics Show goes ahead, even though all
the region's Tory candidates, Hunt Masters and CA reps refused to participate. Some Tory candidates claimed it ‘was
not an election issue'. The Western Morning News stated:- ‘Senior Tory sources have admitted it could cost them
votes in more suburban seats and a tactic of not voluntarily discussing it had been adopted.' WMN 12-4-10
Conservative
Party Manifesto published, stating:- "The Hunting Act has proved unworkable. A Conservative Government
will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government bill in government time."
It is placed in the section ‘Restoring Our Civil Liberties'.
Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian
May launches his ‘Save Me' campaign in defence of the Hunting Act, unveiling a giant billboard in London's Cromwell
Road. http://www.save-me.org.uk/ DEFRA Sec. of State Hilary Benn visits constituency being contested for the Tories
by CEO of CA, Simon Hart, to promote the ‘Back the Ban' campaign and support anti-hunt former MP Nick Ainger.
S.Wales Evening Post 13-4-10
LACS posts footage from Irish hunt sabs of a hare slowly dying in agony after
colliding with a fence while escaping from a course. The Irish Coursing Association accuse sabs of faking the video. Judge
for yourself - Ccruel Sports.wordpress
All 3 Brighton and Hove Tory candidates say they will vote against Hunting Act repeal. [2 were subsequently elected:
Simon Kirby (Brighton Kemptown) and Mike Weatherley (Hove) ] Brighton Argus 15-4-10.
Nick Ainger, former
Labour MP for Carmarthen West - where CA CEO Simon Hart is the Tory candidate - complains that Hart has received over £45,000
in donations from Johan Christofferson, a Hunt Master. Christofferson had donated £250k in total to the Conservative
Party. Western Telegraph 17-4-10
LACS begins its 14 day Fox Tour, in support of the Hunting Act, visiting
Corby first. LACS website
Brian May describes a senior Tory councillor as a ‘pathetic, arrogant,
snivelling little dweeb' in an extraordinary clash over fox hunting. The Queen guitarist threatens to have David Parsons'
‘guts for garters', after the leader of Leicestershire County Council condemned the ‘cosseted London rock
star' for launching an anti-hunting campaign. Daily Mail 22-4-10 POWA's Suzanne Campbell challenges
David Cameron over his commitment to Hunting Act repeal in a phone-in on BBC Radio 4's flagship news programme, The World
at One. World_at_One_23_04_2010 LACS' Steve Taylor, on the Fox Tour, catches up with Simon Hart in Carmarthen and challenges him re, repeal. Hart
says hunting is ‘certainly not an important issue.' LACS website 23-4-10
Ascot race
course runs a ‘countryside family raceday' in association with the CA, names one event ‘The Race for Repeal,
and publishes four pages on the case for repeal in the raceday programme. Guardian 24-4-10
Labour
Party Green Manifesto published. Promises to maintain the hunting ban, review all wildlife crime legislation and ban the use
of cages for game bird rearing. IFAW's Freddie Fox, Harriet Hare and Stan Stag attend outside the venue of the second
Party Leaders' debate in Bristol. IFAW Press release
As part of a national series of
preview screening, the new anti-hunting film ‘ Minority Pastime - a letter to David Cameron' is shown to an invited
audience in Witney, the main town in Cameron's constituency. Having earlier visited Keynsham to support former MP
Dan Norris, Brian May joins Hilary Benn in Stroud to back David Drew, MP for 13 years. [Both later lost their seats to
pro-hunt Conservatives]. Gloucs Echo 28-4-10
MAY 2010 The
Political Animal Lobby [aka Brian Davies] shells out a reported £150,000 for a series of full-page anti-repeal ads in
the national press. PR Newswire 4-5-10 ‘Minority Pastime' film has its London press premiere
at the Curzon Cinema in Soho. The General Election ends in a hung parliament, with the Conservatives not far
short of an overall majority, with 49 seats more than Labour. A few days later, Gordon Brown resigns and David Cameron becomes
Prime Minister, with Nick Clegg his Deputy in a coalition government. The balance of pro- and anti- repeal candidates in the
new House of Commons appears to be very close. Numerous strongly anti-hunt Labour MPs lose their seats. Nick
Herbert, Cameron's Shadow DEFRA Sec. of State for a long time, is apparently snubbed when the Cabinet post is given to
Caroline Spelman. Herbert, however, is made a joint Justice Dept/Home Office Minister, with responsibility for policing, and
the new Solicitor General is Edward Garnier, the Chairman of the Hunting Act Repeal Committee. The Minister responsible for
hunting in DEFRA is to be Jim [‘draghunting is like kissing your sister'] Paice. LACS claim that polling
of new MPs by them suggest that the antis would win a vote on repeal of the Hunting Act, though many MPs had not yet stated
their intentons. Western Daily Press 14-5-10 Simon Hart, elected as MP for Carmarthen West, resigns as CEO
of the CA. It is expected he will be replaced by Tim Bonner. Announced that, after Tory/Lib-Dem talks, there will be
an ‘indicative vote' later this year to see if MPs are in favour of repealing the Act. Only if this is won will
the government bring forward a repeal Bill. Daily Telegraph 19-5-10 Wales Against Cruelty offer reward for
information after two walkers in a N.Wales forest find a dead fox cub that had clearly been tortured hanging from a tree.
N.Wales Daily Post 20-5-10 Stephen Browning of the Taunton Vale FH fined
£665 for traffic offences after he drove his quad bike into IFAW monitor Kevin Hill, causing him minor injuries in January
2010. Mr. Hill received £50 compensation. This is Bristol + private emails Mendip Farmers FH are accused of ‘underhand
behaviour, secrecy and deception' after a planning application to relocate their kennels to the village of Chewton Mendip
surfaces weeks after it was lodged and inflames residents. The protests against the plans are later joined by Lord Waldegrave,
one time senior [and pro-hunt] Minister in Major's government, who criticised the hunt's behaviour at a meeting attended
by 150 angry local residents. Waldegrave said he let them hunt over ‘an odd 1,200 acres of my land.'
This is Somerset Chris Williamson, a LACS Trustee and newly elected Labour MP for Derby North, lays down EDM 116 in support of the Hunting
Act 2004. ‘Minority Pastime - a letter to David Cameron' becomes available to watch online. Indie movies online
LACS Annual Report claim that monitoring by them in the last season suggested 62% of hunts were probably breaking
the law angers pro-hunt campaigners. Gloucestershire Echo 28-5-10
After the omission of any reference
to Hunting Act repeal in the Queen's Speech, David Cameron confirms in the Commons that there will be an indicative, ‘conscience'
vote later in the session. Hansard 25-5-10
Residents of Brilley, Herefordshire,
object to Golden Valley FH plans to relocate their kennels there. Hereford Times 25-5-10 Resident of a Shropshire village has article published on the ‘Fox in Parliament' website in which
she attacks Otis Ferry, Joint Master of the local hunt, the S.Shropshire FH. She claims she and her husband
saw him beating and apparently killing a terrier on his property in March 2006. she clams Mr. Ferry followed them in his 4x4
and threatened them. Police and RSPCA both claimed ‘insufficient evidence'. Soon after the incident, she says, a
dead badger and fox were left on their car and doorstep. She also asserts that Mr. Ferry subsequently ‘stalked'
them, believes that he once drove at them at night and asserts that he has made threatening gestures to her partner and claims
he has threatened to shoot their dogs. In 2008, she says, they were shot at from a field and they saw Mr. Ferry emerge and
drive away moments later. She adds that her partner has been harassed while out by other members of Ferry's hunt. Says
police claim they can do nothing about these incidents, most of which they have reported to them. She also says Ferry falsely
accused them of stealing a terrier of his, which they'd found wandering, three days after Mr. Ferry claimed it was ‘stolen',
and which they took to the vets and about which they had informed the dog warden. The police then cautioned her husband for
theft and refused to rescind this even when Ferry changed his story about when the dog had allegedly been stolen in court,
defending himself against charges of attacking two female hunt monitors [for which he was convicted. N.b. Otis Ferry
has a total of 5 criminal convictions/cautions]. Fox in Parliament LACS publishes its 2009/10 Hunting Report. Claim ‘suspicious activity' consistent with live quarry hunting
reported for 62% of organised hunts. 81 incidents were reported to the police. LACS had received 51 reports of hunt havoc
caused by 37 separate Hunts. http://www.league.org.uk/uploads/media/28/7382.pdf
JUNE 2010 Baby twins in Hackney allegedly mauled by fox that walked
into their bedroom. Explosion of media hysteria followed, and a spate of other reports of supposed fox attacks. Calls for
culls on urban foxes made. Fears that incident[s] might provide propaganda boost for the hunting lobby. D.Telegraph
7-6-10 - and practically all other papers and media outlets for the rest of the month!
END OF 2009/10 HUNTING SEASON
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