19.11.02: POWA CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO ACT OVER 'REAL CA'

Anti-bloodsports group Protect Our Wild Animals today called upon the Government to proscribe the extremist pro-hunt group the Real Countryside Alliance under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Formed earlier this year, the Real CA is a militant offshoot from the Countryside Alliance. Indeed, its public mouthpiece is a recent former Chief Executive of the CA, businessman Edward Duke [who claims to neither belong to the Real CA nor condone their actions].

The Real CA has already engaged in numerous acts of vandalism, obstruction, criminal damage and intimidation around the country. Some of these, such as the daubing of huge slogans on major roads and bridges clearly caused danger to the travelling public, besides great expense to public authorities. They have also targeted the offices of various anti-hunt MPs and one of their supporters was caught trying to break into the grounds of the Prime Minister's constituency residence. These actions have, to date, resulted in nothing more than a few police cautions. However, Mr.Duke has now revealed that the Real CA have been actively discussing the sabotaging of public utilities and disrupting the transport of foodstuffs.*

Previous threats by militant hunt supporters have included the blocking of motorways, the burning down of forests and the poisoning of reservoirs.

POWA spokesman Alan Kirby said: "We urge the Government to take these terror threats seriously. Although we don't know precisely who is involved in the RCA's IRA-style cells, as long-standing anti-bloodsports campaigners we do know from personal experience that there are significant numbers of deeply fanatical and pathologically violent people at the core of the hunting community. There has been a marked increase in violence against anti-hunt activists in recent times. We are sure that some hunt thugs will stop at virtually nothing to defend their bloodthirsty obsession, and that they can count on funding from their ostensibly law-abiding friends among the wider hunting set. Indeed, a number of such people, including peers of the realm, have already declared their intent to break the law following a hunt ban.

"If Mr.Duke's report of the Real CA's recent London meeting is true, it appears they may already be engaged in very serious criminal conspiracies. We urge the Government to make the Real CA a proscribed organisation and to investigate it very closely. It will seem incredible to normal people that these fanatics are willing to engage in what would amount to terrorism to defend their 'right' to hound and slaughter defenceless wild animals, but to those who know their type well it is no surprise. They are the real and vicious face of hunting. Their clear intent is to attempt to thwart the will of the people and their democratically elected representatives by destructive and dangerous criminal means, and we believe they are ready and able to commit significant terroristic acts."/ ENDS

* See article by Daniel Foggo in Sunday Telegraph, 17-11-02, Telegraph Online, 18-11-02. 'Militant group declares "war" on hunt ban'

17.5.02 POWA TELLS GOVERNMENT: 'NO EXCEPTIONS TO HUNT BAN'

POWA has told DEFRA minister Alun Michael that decades of scientific evidence prove that there can be no justification for the survival of any form of hunting wild animals with dogs.

It has been suggested that the Government may be looking for a 'compromise' that allows fox hunts in hill farming areas such as Cumbria and Wales to survive a ban on hunting, or that permits all forms of hunting wild animals to continue under licence.

Members from Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA) met with DEFRA officials as part of the six months 'consultation' on hunting announced by the government in March.

POWA pointed to scientific research conducted by the Universities of Oxford, Bristol, Aberdeen and York - all indicating that foxes have no significant impact on sheep farming and that hunting with dogs has no impact on either overallfox numbers or their behaviour.

On the contrary, POWA believes that the abolition of hunting and the ending of its traditional practices of encouraging high fox populations through the provision of artificial breeding earths and feeding foxes, will probably result in a stabilisation of rural fox numbers through a lower birth rate.

POWA has argued that any new Bill must not include loop-holes such as allowing dogs to be used to flush foxes, deer or hares deer from cover, ostensibly for shooting, but which could be abused to provide a 'chase' for hunt followers.

POWA also urges the government to ensure that road traffic acts, countryside laws and other statutes are amended as a consequence of banning hunting. Hunters are at present exempt from prosecution under laws that apply to most other dog owners. For instance hunting hounds are not required to bear identification when on roads and neither are they required to be under 'close control' when in fields with sheep. The disruption of lawful activities by trespassing hunts should also become a criminal offence as it is for other trespassers. POWA believes that amending such laws will go a long way in ensuring the successful enforcement of the ban on hunting so clearly supported by the majority of elected Members of Parliament.

John Bryant, spokesman for POWA said: 'If there is any scientific evidence to show that any form of hunting with dogs is necessary, or that any particular area should be excluded from a ban, we have never seen it. If the eventual government Bill does include exemptions, we will urge MPs to remove them during the passage of the Bill unless DEFRA producessound independent scientific research to show that hounding wild animals to death with dogs is essential for some aspect of farming.' /ENDS

5.04.02 HUNT SUPPORTER CONVICTED OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT HUNT

A Vale of Aylesbury Hunt supporter, Gavin Phillips, of Thame, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates Court on March 11th to disorderly conduct at a hunt on 1st January.

Phillips had attended the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt1s high profile New Year1s Day meet at Thame. In the early afternoon the hounds were chasing a fox near Moreton, watched by hunt followers.

Phillips used abusive language to POWA hunt monitor, Penny Little, who was filming the hunt. He threw the contents of a bottle of beer in her direction, some of which struck her. The incident was caught on film by Mrs Little's fellow monitors. Police who were attending the hunt were informed on the spot.

Phillips was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay a £20 fine.

Penny Little said today: 'This is yet another example of thuggish behaviour from a hunt supporter. Hunt monitors are not aggressive or violent but are frequently on the receving end of extremely unpleasant behaviour from hunt louts. I am only sorry the Court was so lenient with this man'./ENDS

NEW FOREST ANIMAL PROTECTION GROUP (NFPAG) PRESS RELEASE:

24.03.02: VIXEN AND UNBORN CUBS KILLED BY HOUNDS

Licence inadequate to protect against cruelty. view image (high res available on request)

During a meet of the New Forest Hounds, on 23 March 2002, a heavily pregnant vixen was chased for over a mile and killed by the hounds near the Canadian War Memorial, New Forest, Hampshire.

As the hounds tore the mother's body her unborn cubs spilled on to the ground. The anti hunt cameraman at the scene filmed the body being quickly removed and some of the cubs that were left on the ground.

For public health reasons the Forestry Commission (FC) licence stipulates that all remains of a kill must be removed by the hunt. For this reason the cameraman drew the hunt's attention to the cubs and maternal remains lying about the area and they were removed. After the hunt had finished further remains and another cub, still warm, were found at the site. In the absence of any official from the hunt or the FC they were removed from the Forest by anti hunt campaigners.

On inspection the cub was fully formed and looked very close to birth having long black hair, claws, earflaps and eyelids.

Ron White, who filmed the incident, said, 'I saw the fox shortly before the hounds got her. When I saw the cubs I was shocked. I have witnessed some dreadful scenes during hunts but this was one of the most distressing. I have written to the FC to demand the termination of the licence.'

Ken James, for NFAPG, said, 'Hunters claim they never chase pregnant vixens but this proves the claim to be untrue. Foxes breed from February onwards and stay in pairs both parents playing an active part in the rearing of the cubs. To kill any fox during the breeding season is inhumane, killing this mother and cubs reaches a new low. We shall be returning the remains to the FC office at Lyndhurst for safe disposal and a request that the licence be terminated immediately.'/ENDS

21.03.02 POWA REACTION TO GOVERMENT STATEMENT

Protect Our Wild Animals [POWA] reacted with fury to the announcement today by DEFRA Minister, Alun Michael MP, that there is to be a six month 'consultation' period before any legislation on hunting is brought forward. Along with other animal protection and anti-bloodsports organisations it regards this as a wholly unnecessary and pointless exercise.

Spokesman Alan Kirby said: 'After decades of debate, numerous studies disproving the hunters' lies and three mountainous majorities by our elected representatives to ban this cruel 'sport' the Government's action is craven and anti-democratic. In particular we see Tony Blair's action in voting, for the first time, on Monday, for an outright ban as extremely cynical. The delay is merely an excuse to postpone doing what the Government knows what it must do.

'POWA is considering whether to take part in these 'consultations' but is presently minded to refuse, and calls on other anti-hunt organisations to think carefully before doing so. POWA will channel to sympathetic MPs its evidence of hunt cruelty - in particular the brutality of the hill packs - and of the lack of need for, and the ineffectiveness of, 'fox 'control' . It sees no reason why the existing Hunting Bill should not be returned forthwith, and calls on all those who voted for an outright ban to press for this and to consider following Gerald Kaufman's lead on partial withdrawl of cooperation on other Government business. POWA thanks the many MPs who have campaigned unyieldingly for an end to this barbaric 'sport' .

Alan Kirby added: 'What is most tragic and futile about this decision is that the Government must know that whatever Bill they eventually present is very likely to be amended in the Commons to, at least, something extremely close to a total ban. But they will have allowed at least two extra seasons hunting with dogs in the meantime. The blood and suffering of the animal victims will be on their hands. We utterly condemn this slap in the face for the electorate and our democratic system by a Government that seems unable to prevent itself kowtowing to powerful vested interests.

'POWA also fears that the escalation of violence and intimidation against hunt monitors and saboteurs seen this season will intensify in the extra time granted for the killing of wild animals with dog for fun, and that further death and serious injury among anti-hunt campaigners may result. It also regrets the extra two years that rural residents nationwide will have to suffer trespass, disruption and distress as a result of hunt activities.' /ENDS

18.3.02: POWA WELCOMES OVERWHELMING VOTE FOR COMPLETE BAN

Protect Our Wild Animals tonight called on the Government to bow to the clearly expressed will of our elected representatives and to return the Hunting Bill to the Commons forthwith, and to use the Parliament Act to override Lords opposition.

After the 'indicative vote' on the future of hunting with hounds showed a decline in support for the 'Middle Way' and a third crushing majority in five years for outright prohibition, POWA spokesman Alan Kirby said:

''Democracy and decency demand that the Government now bite the bullet and ban it. We have heard some ridiculous talk in recent days about meaningless 'compromises' that would do little but licence cruelty. Even the absurd and offensive idea of 'balancing' the Commons and Lords vote was floated, as though the two were somehow equivalent.

'We welcome tonight's denial that the Government are contemplating licencing fox hunts. The Middle Way was never anything but a Countryside Alliance- fostered Trojan horse, to try to preserve their favoured 'sport' in disguise. Every indication has been that these unprincipled people are prepared to dump their repellent hare-coursing friends, and even the deer hunters, to retain fox hunting. We trust the Government will not cave in to further threats from the minority but manipulative bloodsports lobby.'

POWA will intensify their campaign until the whole of the UK is free from the disgrace of the legalised hunting of wild animals for pleasure. /ENDS

26.2.02 TOP HUNT OFFICIALLY REBUKED AFTER BREAKING FOOT-AND-MOUTH RULES

As a result of video evidence compiled by POWA monitors, one of the country's most prestigious fox hunts, the Heythrop from Oxfordshire, has been formally reprimanded by DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) for failure to properly comply with statutory biosecurity regulations intended to minimise the risk of spreading FMD. The Duke of Marlborough, owner of Blenheim Palace, rides with the Heythrop.

Fox hunting was allowed to resume under these strict rules on 17-12-01. All participants had to sign a Certificate of Compliance and the hunt permit holder also had to declare that the DEFRA conditions had been met, for each hunt. Falsification of these could result in prosecution and severe penalties.

POWA hunt monitors observed and filmed the Heythrop over six weeks and witnessed numerous apparent breaches of the regulations. They were abused and obstructed on several occasions by hunt supporters, incidents which were videoed.

The monitors submitted their evidence to DEFRA, highlighting two main areas of concern:-

1) the filthy state of some of the vehicles, including quad bikes, which were participating in hunts and crossing farmland throughout the day, often near livestock. The Certificates of Compliance stated: 'Any quad bike, bicycle or other vehicle which I will be using in the course of the hunt has been thoroughly cleansed and disinfected using an approved disinfectant.' and,

2) frequent disturbance of deer . The worst example of this was on 14th January at Rousham, Oxfordshire, when rioting foxhounds were filmed chasing a fallow deer through woodland and over the busy B4030 and out of sight. At other times, hunt staff refused to remove hounds disturbing deer. Hunts were told to avoid such disturbance as deer can contract and spread FMD.

DEFRA have thanked POWA for their video footage, which they described in letters of 22 & 30-1-02 as 'interesting, informative and useful', and said in their letter of 22-1-02 'The camera team are to be complimented on obtaining some very useful footage in difficult circumstances.'

DEFRA have informed POWA that, had restrictions not been recently eased, another, Buckinghamshire based, hunt would also have been reprimanded following POWA's evidence of breaches of the regulations.

POWA spokesperson Penny Little said: 'Reports from other monitors nationwide suggests other hunts appeared to disregard biosecurity precautions. After the devastation caused by FMD, such an attitude is incredible. All their pompous rhetoric rings very hollow in the light of what we have filmed. We believe that hunts cannot be trusted to abide by any form of regulation. Only a total ban will put paid to their riding roughshod over the countryside and behaving as though they are above the law.' /ENDS

15.2.02 HEYTHROP FOXHOUNDS CHASE FALLOW DEER ACROSS B4030 - POWA CALL FOR DEFRA TO REMOVE HUNT PERMIT

Protect Our Wild Animals called today for DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to remove the recently granted hunting permit from the Chipping Norton based Heythrop Hunt due to their frequent disturbance of deer whilst foxhunting, which resulted yesterday in a chaotic incident when at least five hounds chased a terrified fallow deer through woodland and across the busy B4030 near Rousham.

Hunting was suspended last February due to FMD, and was only allowed to resume, under DEFRA issued permits, from 17th December 2001. Regulations are attatched to the permits, and hunts are instructed that they should avoid disturbing deer, a species which can contract foot and mouth disease. (Deer hunts have not been allowed to resume hunting even under regulation, such is the concern about the movement of deer in relation to a possible resurgance of FMD).

POWA monitors have filmed the Heythrop Hunt on 4 days since hunting resumed, and on every occasion they have witnessed and filmed deer running away, sometimes across a considerable distance. Their requests to the hunt to remove the hounds have been met with point-blank refusal, recorded on film. During the morning of Monday 14 January, POWA monitors filmed two separate groups of fallow deer (10 animals in total), and also two roe deer, running out of Tackley Woods in fear of the hunt. Tackley Woods run alongside, and only one field away from, the A4260, which is marked with deer warning signs along that stretch of road.

At 1.30 pm, two POWA monitors were present when hounds were entered into another wood just beside the busy B4030. The hounds were heard (and filmed) on full cry approaching the road, and moments later a fallow deer was filmed running through the wood, and then then bolting straight across the road, closely followed by baying hounds. The presence of a whipper-in on the road appeared completely ineffectual, and the hounds continued in pursuit of the deer and out of sight. The deer1s fate is unknown.

POWA spokesperson Penny Little said today: 'We have already passed to DEFRA two previous videotapes of possible breaches of regulations by certain hunts, one of which was the Heythrop. This latest incident, so dangerous and shocking, proves that this hunt is incapable of stopping the hounds rioting after deer. They should lose their licence.'/ENDS

13.2.02: POWA CONGRATULATES SCOTLAND

Protect Our Wild Animals [POWA] tonight hailed Scotland's ban on hunting with dogs and urged Tony Blair to fulfil his promise and ensure it is also now outlawed in England and Wales.

Press spokesman Alan Kirby said: 'Scottish members needed only one chance to ban this cruel and needless practice. UK MPs have already twice voted overwhelmingly to do so. If Westminster democracy still means anything, the Government must now return the Hunting Bill to the Commons and use the Parliament Act when the unelected Lords seeks to block it.

'Though the current hunting season is only a few weeks old, POWA already knows of 42 incidents of havoc and criminality wrought by self-styled 'law-abiding' hunters. These include serious violence and threats against monitors, saboteurs and press, public order offences, breaches of DEFRA [Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] foot-and-mouth permit conditions, illegal feeding of foxes at artificial earths, trespasses on railways leading to the death of hounds, desecration of graves, killing of livestock, and invasion of villages and gardens, terrifying pets and children.

Alan Kirby added: 'Everyone should ignore the self-serving lies of the hunters and look at the cruelty, violence and havoc they inflict. They are not the 'guardians of the countryside' but rural hooligans, and should be so treated. We demand that the will of the people and Commons be given effect and that those who make 'sport' from chasing and killing wild animals with dogs be made criminals throught the UK, not just north of the border.' /ENDS

NEW FOREST ANIMAL PROTECTION GROUP (NFAPG) PRESS RELEASE

13.2.02: NFAPG CONDEMNS HUNT

NFAPG has condemned the New Forest Hounds (NFH) for failing to control its hounds on successive hunts this season and causing disruption and danger on the Forest roads. The group also accuses the Forestry Commission (FC) of being irresponsible in continuing to issue a licence to hunt in the New Forest.

On 12-2-02 while chasing a fox north of Bull Hill, Pilley hounds hunted across the road at Crockford and then returned, crossing the road several times before scattering into several groups and becoming lost to the hunt staff. Most of the hounds were eventually found between Norleywood village and Portmore but at least seven remained missing for about an hour, one reportedly being located at South Baddesley several miles from where the pack had split.

Later, hounds hunted between Stockley Cottage and Ladycross treating the road as if it were a Forest track running across and up and down amongst the traffic for over an hour. Later still, hounds were taken to gorse a few hundred yards from the same road near Hatchet Pond from where they hunted the fox in full cry with hunt staff across the road towards Hawkhill. In addition to the danger caused by the hounds horses were ridden at speed along the roads as they tried to keep pace with the hounds during the day.

On 9-2-02 between Godshill and Fritham odd hounds were lost to the hunt staff for up to an hour, one being found by a member of the public a mile away from the hunt and another being retrieved by NFAPG as it ran around near the Godshill road north of Fritham. Earlier in the day hounds were brought to the side of the road near Godshill where a car nearly hit a hound that strayed on to the road. It is not known what damage, if any, the hounds may have caused while out of the control of the hunt. All the road incidents mentioned were videoed by NFAPG.

Since Boxing Day hounds have got away from the huntsman on many occasions sometimes lost completely to hunt staff. NFAPG supporter, Ron White, has been in, what has been so far, a fruitless correspondence with the Forestry Commission (FC) about the lack of hound control and potential danger on the roads.

Ken James, NFAPG Chairman said: 'These dogs have been getting lost for a worrying length of time. They also regularly are allowed to hunt across roads. The FC consistently refuses to deal with this potential public danger. This Government should follow the example of the Scottish Parliament and ban hunting altogether.'/ENDS

12.2.02: VALE OF AYLESBURY HUNT INVADE CHALGROVE GARDENS AND CHURCHYARD IN HOUND CHAOS

The Vale of Aylesbury Hunt were condemned today by residents of the village of Chalgrove after their hounds chased a terrified fox into the village. Hounds ran amok through private gardens while the whipper-in rode his horse along the road and then into the churchyard after the rioting pack.

The hunt had met at Cadwell Farm, Chalgrove at 11a.m. They harrassed a fox for three-quarters of an hour as it tried to escape the hounds in woodland behind the village. Around noon, the fox broke cover and ran from the wood towards the houses, closely pursued by the baying pack.

Eye witnesses have described to POWA hunt monitors (who were filming the incident from beside the woods and unable to see the chaos in the gardens) the folllowing scenes:

About thirty baying hounds entered a garden in which a dog was penned. The dog, which belongs to Mr and Mrs Knight, has recently undergone an operation. The hounds surrounded its pen and tried to reach the dog as he cowered inside. Mrs Knights two horses were also frightened by the hounds.

A nine-year old child, the daughter of Mrs Lindy MacNamee, was roller skating outside her home as the chaos erupted. The whipper-in galloped along the road, shouting and cracking the whip. The child had to quickly get out of the way and was badly frightened.

Hounds entered the churchyard and ran all over the graves. The whipper-in rode his horse into the churchyard after the hounds.

POWA spokesperson Penny Little said: 'When are the Government going to protect people from these countryside hooligans? In the space of an hour, the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt not only caused terror and misery to a defenceless fox, but also upset and frightened members of the public and their pets. It is disgraceful, particularly as todays hunt was a Childrens Meet and there were many very young children included in this appalling activity. Why should they be allowed to get their kicks in this way, at the expense of other countryside dwellers?'/ENDS