28-6-17   Coventry Evening Telegraph  VIDEO   Police drop investigation after fox killed by hunting dogs inWarwickshire  -  Activists claimed the huntsmen were part of the Atherstone Hunt near to Shuttington, Warwickshire    A police investigation launched after hunting dogs were filmed ripping a fox apart in Warwickshire [right, with sab trying to rescue fox] has been dropped by officers, it has been revealed. The probe into alleged illegal fox hunting began after the creature was shown on camera fleeing from hunters during an incident in Shuttington, North Warwickshire, just a few miles from Twycross Zoo, in January. The exhausted fox then ran into a garden, chased by hounds and activists from West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs, reports the Tamworth Herald. The activists claimed the huntsmen were part of the Atherstone Hunt near to Shuttington, Warwickshire.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs said: "This is not the first investigation into the Atherstone Hunt for illegal hunting that has been dropped, in fact over the past three years we know of five foxes that this hunt have killed. The Atherstone Hunt claim these kills were all 'accidents' but there are only so many 'accidents' one hunt can have whilst still expecting people to believe them. They seem to be a very accident prone. What needs to happen now is that the Hunting Act should be strengthened to eliminate the loopholes. It needs to be a total ban with no exemptions, no room for excuses and no room for accidents."

It has been illegal to hunt foxes with dogs since 2005 – with a maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine. Police can also confiscate and destroy equipment and dogs used in hunting. Hunting remains deeply unpopular with the general public as we saw after repeal of the Hunting Act was included in the Conservative Manifesto," the spokesperson added. "Most people are shocked that hunting is still going on and that foxes are being hunted and killed just as much as they were before the ban. We are urging everyone to contact their MP and talk to them about how the Hunting Act should be strengthened."

Warwickshire Police confirmed, that following the investigation, they have dropped the case. A spokesperson said: "Following reports made to the police regarding alleged offences under the Hunting Act 2004, specialist wildlife officers conducted a thorough investigation. Following this investigation, police took the decision that there was insufficient evidence to take any further action."

A spokesperson for The Atherstone Hunt added: "We understand that Warwickshire police will be taking no further action following an alleged incident involving the Atherstone Hunt on January 14."

 Pics below - 1/   Huntsman moments after fox was killed     2/  Sabs retrieved the savaged corpse

26-6-17  Facebook - West Midlands Hunt Sabs   VIDEO    INVESTIGATION INTO FOX KILLED BY ATHERSTONE HUNT HAS BEEN DROPPED  Contact your MP and tell them that the Hunting Act needs strengthening.

The police investigation into illegal fox hunting by the Atherstone Hunt has been dropped by Warwickshire Police. The Atherstone hounds were filmed tearing into the fox on someone's driveway in Shuttington on Saturday 14th January. One of our sabs managed to rescue the fox from the hounds but it died latter in our arms. At no point did huntsman Stuart Barton attempt to stop the hounds.

This is not the first investigation into the Atherstone Hunt for illegal hunting that has been dropped, in fact over the past 3 years we know of 5 foxes that this hunt have killed. The Atherstone Hunt claim these kills were all “accidents” but there are only so many “accidents” one Hunt can have whilst still expecting people to believe them. The Atherstone Hunt seem to be a very accident prone hunt. The fact that the case has been dropped does not mean that the Atherstone Hunt are telling the truth and not illegally hunting, it just means that the current legislation isn’t strong enough.

What needs to happen now is that the Hunting Act should be strengthened to eliminate the loopholes. It needs to be a total ban with no exemptions, no room for excuses and no room for "accidents". These people clearly can not be trusted to let their hounds loose in the countryside without them killing something, so really their hounds shouldn't be let loose in the countryside. We are urging everyone to contact their MPs and talk to them about how the Hunting Act should be strengthened. https://www.writetothem.com/

Jedforest FH two illegal hunting trial should conclude today

27-6-17    ITV News   Closing statements due in Borders fox hunting trial    Closing statements are due to be heard today in the trial of two huntsmen accused of breaching Scotland's fox hunting laws. 67-year-old John Clive Richardson and his son, 24-year-old Johnny Riley, from the Jedforest Hunt, have denied the accusation after a video filmed by investigators showed a fox being dug out of a hole and then chased by a pack of hounds. The video was filmed at Townfoothill near Jedburgh in February 2016, by an employee of the League Against Cruel Sports.

The trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court has already had several days of evidence from members of the League Against Cruel Sports, police and the two accused. The Crown and the defence teams will now sum up their cases to Sheriff Peter Paterson.

POWAperson adds - This trial, concerning events of more than a year ago, has proceeded in fits and starts over the last 3 months and its conclusion is long overdue.  

Two prominent Tory hunter MPs face Commons breach of code of conduct probes

24-6-17  Western Telegraph   Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart under investigation for alleged breach of code of conduct    CONSERVATIVE MP Simon Hart [right] is one of four MPs under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. Mr Hart was re-elected for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire in May with a reduced majority of 3,110. An investigation into an alleged breach of paragraph 15 of the MPs' code of conduct started in May, but no decision could be made during the dissolution of Parliament. This paragraph states: "Members are personally responsible and accountable for ensuring that their use of any expenses, allowances, facilities and services provided from the public purse is in accordance with the rules laid down on these matters. Members shall ensure that their use of public resources is always in support of their parliamentary duties. It should not confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else, or confer undue advantage on a political organisation." 

Other MPs subject to an inquiry are Labour’s Keith Vaz and the Conservatives’ Michelle Donelan and Chris Davies [below left]. Mr Hart told the Western Telegraph he had been advised by the commissioner not to comment, but that she would 'publish full details in due course'.

POWAperson adds – At this stage we do not know the details of the alleged breaches. Simon Hart MP is a former CEO of the Countryside Alliance and was in that position when the CA facilitated the mass signing of the 'Hunting Declaration' in 2004. Signatories, of whom there were a purported 50,000, pledged to ignore any law banning hunting.

Mr. Hart is allegedly at present in receipt of a £47,000 p.a. 'consultancy' retainer from the hunting lobby. During his campaign to become an MP in 2010 he received very substantial donations from Johan Christofferson, an American hedge-fund manager who was then JM of the Isle of Wight FH. In 2004, his Huntsman and terrierman staged a repellent stunt in Brighton City centre while the Labour Conference was on there. They dumped carcasses of a horse and cattle in the city centre as a protest against the impending Hunting Act. Following this action, which caused public outrage, They were convicted of public order offences but just got slapped on their wrists. Christofferson was suspended by the MFHA for not controlling his hunt servants. He is now JM of the Jedforest FH, whose huntsman and terrierman are on trial for illegal hunting now.

Hart also received a donation of £2000 from Lord Daresbury, then Chair of the MFHA. It was Daresbury who had written earlier in 2004 to Hunt Masters, urging them to ask 'their farmers' to help foxes out with breeding, because they were running short of quarry. This only became public knowledge because Simon Hart's scathing email to Daresbury, criticising him for being so stupid in handing ammunition to the antis, was leaked.

Chris Davies, the Tory MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, is a former JM of Golden Valley FH. He was in post when the Hunting Act came into effect. He did not have the bottle to say he would personally defy the law, but told the BBC that some of his members would.

Prior to the recent election both MPs were on the EFRA Select Committee and were instrumental in that Committee calling, by a majority of one, for the RSPCA to be investigated, a move largely prompted by the Society's prosecutions of packs for illegal hunting and badger sett interference.

23-6-17  Facebook - East Kent Sabs  VIDEO   Ashford Valley Tickham Fox Hounds supporters blocking public highway 25th February 2017 [below]  -  You may remember back in February, we put up a post about our vehicle being blocked in at the Ashford Valley hunt kennels, by some hunt supporters in 4x4’s…we also had a video clip on our YouTube channel which we were asked to take down by the police while they investigated our allegations of blocking a public highway.

Well that investigation is over, and guess what? Kent police are going to do…NOTHING! Yes - as per usual the Hunts can do what ever they like, with no legal action being taken against them!

Kent police had all the footage of the mornings events, which showed the driver of the blue pickup- on top of that they also had the name of the driver, because he put in a bogus claim against us! They obviously had a good chat with him though, as with no hard evidence, they then sent a letter to our vehicles registered keeper, threatening to summons us for 4 road traffic offences…!!!! 1) failure to stop and to report an accident (which did not happen); 2) dangerous driving; 3) driving without care; 4) driving without consideration.

To then add insult to injury, our hunt liaison officer said that the people who had obstructed our vehicle on the highway could not be prosecuted “retrospectively” ..UTTER BOLLOCKS!!!

So… after getting other parties involved and with us pressing them on this issue, our list of summonses were dropped, and a promise to investigate was made by the police… which we now know is going nowhere, and the hunt supporters who blocked us in are free to do the same again next season - making sure that they can illegally hunt in peace. So, no surprises there.

Lifelong 'hunter' jailed for shooting neighbours kitten

However the Atherstone Hunt Supporters Club still have stall at the show. Atherstone Hunt supporters have numerous convictions for using violence. There are cases ongoing. To continue to allow them to have this stall will be condoning the use of violence. Please politely contact the Ashby Show and ask why a violent organisation with convictions for using violence are allowed to have a trade stand at the show - https://www.facebook.com/ashbyshow/ 

Jedforest FH trial Huntsman says were working 'within the law' when fox killed

1-6-17   BBC News   Men on Borders fox-hunting charge acted 'within legislation' - Mr Richardson told the court that he and his son were simply doing their job    Two huntsmen accused of breaching Scotland's fox-hunting laws were acting within the current legislation, it has been claimed at Jedburgh Sheriff Court. John Clive Richardson, 66, and his son Johnny Riley, 24, are charged with deliberately hunting a fox with hounds at a Borders farm. They both deny committing the offence near Jedburgh in February 2016. Mr Richardson told the court they had been doing their job and had done it within the law.

The case centres on a video shot by two investigators from the League Against Cruel Sports on the activities of the Jedforest Hunt members and shows the fox being dug out of a hole and then chased by a pack of hounds. The fox disappears out of sight of the video into a deep gulley with the hounds in pursuit.

The law states a fox can be flushed by dogs from cover to waiting guns, but the two investigators have already given evidence saying they saw no gunmen or heard any shots. However, Mr Richardson told a trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court that there was a gunman in the gulley who wounded the fox with a shot before it was "accounted for" by the hounds.

He said that gunman Malcolm Henderson had been put in position in a deep gulley which was out of sight of the video being secretly filmed. Mr Richardson also took over a shotgun when another man had to leave and was about 35 yards from Mr Henderson but missed with his shot. He said: "I heard the shot and I knew he hit it. The hounds then accounted for it. If he had not hit it they would not have caught it as foxes can run twice as fast as hounds."  Mr Richardson told the court the hounds had been used to flush out the foxes and "evict them towards the gun. We were doing a job and doing it within the legislation we are allowed to work in," he said.

The Huntsman - who first got involved in fox control as a teenager - said farmers often witnessed their pest control service to ensure they were working within the law as they would not want to be associated with any illegal activity on their land. He said that foxes had been prevalent in the area and, with the lambing season coming up, the farmer wanted them controlled. Mr Richardson said he was "not in the slightest aware of being observed" by the two investigators but even if he had been he would have carried on doing the same regardless. He said: "It is not the first time we have been monitored before. We just carry on doing our job."

Mr Richardson and Mr Riley, of Abbotrule, Bonchester Bridge, deny breaching the Wild Mammals Protection (Scotland) Act 2002 at Townfoothill near Jedburgh. The trial continues.

Man charged over fox found captive near Belvoir FH kennels
Charge comes 17 months after incident - Hunt deny involved

24-4-17    Facebook - Beds & Bucks Hunt Sabs   A man has been charged with animal welfare offences regarding the fox which was found in an outbuilding in preparation for the Belvoir Hunt which was meeting close by. Nigel Smith (59), of Stainby, Lincs, is due in court next month. Of course, the Hunt are denying everything claiming no knowledge or involvement. This is pretty standard behaviour. Get the serfs to do the dirty work then let them carry the can when and it they get found out.

POWAperson adds - The original story can be found here and here. Pic below - the fox found in the shed by LACS' investigators.

S.Herefordshire FH paying £55k to hunt with Ledbury next season, says HIT

28-5-17   Facebook - Hunt Investigation Team   SPOT THE DIFFERENCE COMPETITION    The South Herefordshire Hunt have tried to pedal the myth of an amalgamation with the Ledbury Hunt. Nobody is fooled anymore by the smoke and mirrors magic trick that Patrick Darling is trying to pull. With no kennels, no hounds, no Huntsman and no supporters anymore this is a total capitulation, not an amalgamation.

The dregs of what is left of the SHH need someone to hunt with next season so they can get their perverted pleasures from seeing animals chased and killed. They are paying the Ledbury £55,000 per year to do this and keep up the pretence of amalgamation.

Wildlife rescue centre badly damaged by online attacks from hunters

Had previously served 4 year sentence for raping a woman

26-5-17   Facebook - National Dis-Trust   On May 19th 2017 a Melbreak Foxhounds supporter pleaded guilty to assault by beating after he attacked a hunt monitor at a meet of the Melbreak Foxhounds in the Ennerdale area. Carl McGrady punched the monitor after McGrady's accomplice attempted to steal his camera. The monitor had to be taken to hospital where he had to have stitches. McGrady has several previous convictions, including a four year sentence for rape in 2011. After hearing about the assault, the National Trust, which licences the Melbreak Foxhounds, banned the hunt from its land for A WHOLE 24 HOURS! Why is the National Trust licensing violent behaviour from wildlife criminals? The Melbreak Foxhounds pay on average around £10 per meet on National Trust land, and have been filmed illegally hunting and killing foxes on numerous occasions. The National Trust condones violence and wildlife crime by licensing this Hunt.

The report of McGrady's unsuccessful appeal against his rape conviction, in 2011, is here.

27-5-17   Facebook - Lancashire Hunt sabs  VIDEO from meet on 10th January 2017  Melbreak Foxhounds supporters attempt to steal a camera from a monitor who is a passenger in a vehicle. Failing to do so, Carl McGrady punches the monitor, who has to be taken to hospital for treatment. McGrady pleaded guilty to assault by beating [and was given an 80 hour CSO]

Isle of Wight FH terrierman fined after clash with sabs

POWAperson adds - In addition to the above, a sab was attacked by an I0W FH supporter and 'whacked over the head' in March this year.   

HIT refutes SFFH claim that their hounds are alive and well

24-5-17  Facebook - Hunt Investigation Team    Update on shot hounds...    It's been ten days since we announced the shocking news that we believed that the SHH had shot all their hounds, bar four. This is what has happened since...

Patrick Darling (hunt chair) rushed to various local media outlets the next day. He said that he could produce all the hounds and take local journalists to see them. He threatened to take legal action if we didn't remove the post from our page. We stood firm and informed Mr Darling that we had in our possession comprehensive records of all the SHH hounds since 2009. We also have all the microchip numbers and hound names.

This was the standard of proof that we set. Mr Darling probably hoped to take journalists to see a pack of foxhounds somewhere but given the standard of proof required has failed to do that. Local journalists have said that Mr Darling has stopped answering their calls about this.

We leave it to the public to consider what has happened here, but bear in mind that if somebody accused you of shooting your dog, how long would it take you to prove them wrong. Please share this update.

Anti-hunt NT members present resolution to Trust to stop licensing 'trail hunts' 

23-5-17   Swindon Advertiser   Hunting campaigners take their fight to Swindon's National Trust HQ A GROUP of National Trust members have brought their campaign to end trail hunting to the organisation's Swindon headquarters [pic right].

The 2004 Hunting Act banned traditional fox hunting where live animals were chased by packs of dogs for the entertainment and enjoyment of participants. The legislation has resulted in more than 430 prosecutions since it came into effect, the equivalent of one every 10 days. But while the Act banned fox hunting, it did continue to permit trail hunting which is an adapted version of the sport. It involves the use of an artificially laid scent, usually fox, hare or rabbit based, to provide hounds with a path to follow. In theory it avoids the suffering and killing of foxes, but campaigners argue that the trail hunts often end with the dogs coming across foxes - participants say by accident - and that animals are still being killed.

The National Trust, based in Swindon next to the Designer Outlet, issue licences for trail hunts to take place on a number of their properties across the UK. A group of Trust members is now seeking to use the organisation's procedures to challenge the policy by submitting a resolution, supported by 50 members, to be debated later this year.

Helen Beynon, campaigner and author of the resolution, said: "As members of the National Trust who support the majority of the positive work they do - notably their recent commitment to increase efforts for declining wildlife - we have been dismayed by the constant media coverage given to stories of blatant criminal bloodsports on National Trust land. Our resolution to permanently bring an end to these so called trail hunt licenses has been submitted. "I'm pleased to see that in addition to this, an ongoing petition calling for the National Trust to drop this trail hunting sham has now surpassed 100,000 signatures."

A National Trust spokesman said: "A members' resolution has been received by the National Trust concerning trail hunting. Members are entitled to present resolutions each year and, if they are supported by a minimum of 50 National Trust members, those resolutions are then discussed and voted on by members at our Annual General Meeting in the Autumn. The Hunting Act 2004 made hunting wild animals with dogs illegal and it is banned on all public and privately owned land in England and Wales. The Act allowed what is known as trail hunting to continue. Trail hunting involves laying a scent for hunts to follow, effectively simulating a traditional hunt but crucially without foxes being deliberately chased or killed. The National Trust does licence trail hunts in some areas and at certain times of the year, where it is compatible with our aims of public access and conservation. We expect our licence holders to comply fully with the law and the terms of our licence. We will, and have, taken strong action (including suspension, revoking and refusing to grant further licences) against licence holders who breach their licence conditions or the law."

'Biggest ever' anti fox hunting demo scheduled for 29th May

18-5-17   Facebook - Dominic Dyer   Thousands confirmed & rising fast. If you care be there, join biggest ever anti fox hunt protest in London on Bank Holiday Monday 29 May.

Police drop Surrey Union FH rider assault on sab case

18-5-17   Facebook - Guildford Hunt Saboteurs   More hunt violence given the all clear by police   3 months ago one of our sabs was assualted by Lulu Hutley (Joint master of the Surrey Union Hunt) with a whip. However today the police decided not to investigate any further due to lack of evidence despite there being a clear video of the entire incident. This was hardly a surprise, Surrey police's stance on this issue has been made very clear.

Please contact Surrey Police on the below links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SurreyPolice/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SurreyPolice (@SurreyPolice)

May confirms will hold free vote on repealing Hunting Act

16-5-17  Independent   Theresa May says she supports fox hunting because other ways of killing foxes are 'cruel' - The PM wants to hold a vote on bringing back the animal killings   Theresa May [below right] has defended her support for fox hunting, arguing that foxes must be killed and that hunting them with dogs on horseback is the most humane way of doing so. The Prime Minister said she had “always supported fox hunting” and that she would give Parliament a vote on bringing back the animal killings. “Some of the other forms of dealing with foxes can be cruel, so my view is it should be a free vote for Parliament so members of parliament individually should be able to exercise their view on this matter,” she said.

Fox hunting with hounds was outlawed by Tony Blair's Labour government in 2004 but successive Conservative manifestos have pledged to bring the animal killings back. A plot by pro-hunt Tories to bring back the spot was revealed in a leaked email this month. Lord Mancroft, the chair of the Council of Hunting Associations, described the 8 June vote as “the chance we have been waiting for” to overturn the ban.

A large Tory majority in the House of Commons would likely give pro-hunt Conservatives insulation from any rebellion by anti-hunt Conservatives to stop the repeal of the ban. David Cameron had planned to hold a vote on repealing the ban but never did so after the threat of rebellion reared its head. Ms May said she did not consider the issue “important” and that MPs would be able to decide what happened to the animals if she became PM.

“This is a subject on which you are either for it or against it. I have always supported fox hunting, but clearly I'm not saying I'm going to bring it back,” she told a Facebook Live session hosted by ITV News. What I'm saying is we will have a free vote in Parliament so MPs will be able to make up their own mind on this issue. This isn't the most important issue facing people at this election. I think the most important issue is about who's going to provide the leadership for the future to take us through Brexit and beyond."

A poll conducted in the run-up to Boxing Day 2016 found that opposition to fox hunting has hit an all-time high. A full 84 per cent of the public now believe fox hunting should not be made legal again, according to a survey by Ipsos MORI.

18-5-17   Daily Mail   Outrage as Theresa May confirms a Commons vote on scrapping the ban on fox hunting WILL be held - Manifesto pledge will outrage animal rights activists ahead of the snap election   Theresa May provoked outrage today as she confirmed she would call a Commons vote on scrapping the ban on fox hunting. The League Against Cruel Sports said there was 'no justification' for scrapping the law against hunting with dogs. The lobby group said the controversial laws should instead be properly enforced, insisting the public as a whole did not back hunting. Mrs May promised a free vote on Government laws for the measure - but did not put a timescale on when the vote would be held.

The Prime Minister has said she would vote to lift the ban on fox hunting despite never having taken part in a hunt - insisting it was less cruel than other ways of controlling foxes. But it is hard to forecast how the new Commons might split on the issue. The 2015 Parliament was thought never likely to endorse repealing the ban.

Eduardo Gonçalves, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: 'We're disappointed to see the commitment to a free vote on the Hunting Act included in the manifesto given the strong support the ban on hunting has among Conservative MPs and Conservative voters. 'Hopefully any attempt to repeal, weaken or replace the Hunting Act will be prevented by those members of all parties who oppose the killing of animals for fun. I think most people can see through attempts to claim that hunting is somehow good for the animals that are killed, and these figures show the reality. The intention of the Hunting Act was to stop animals suffering because of hunting – and if the law had been properly enforced we believe it would have helped up to 2.8 million animals.'

He added: 'Contrary to what the Prime Minister mistakenly said, anyone who feels the need to kill foxes should never use hunting with dogs, as it is in fact one of the cruellest methods available. This is due to the long chases of the target animal involved. There is enough evidence to suggest that hunted animals suffer whilst being chased by dogs regardless of how they are then eventually killed.' The Prime Minister has said she would vote to lift the ban on fox hunting despite never having taken part in a hunt.

Speaking earlier in the election campaign Mrs May said she would personally vote to repeal the ban. She said: 'This is a situation on which individuals will have one view or the other, either pro or against. 'As it happens personally I have always been in favour of fox hunting and we maintain out commitment - we have had a commitment previously as a Conservative Party - to allow a free vote. And that's what it will allow, Parliament the opportunity to take a decision on this.'

The manifesto pledge said: 'We will grant a free vote, on a government bill in government time, to give parliament the opportunity to decide the future of the Hunting Act.' David Cameron was thwarted in his attempt to call a vote on repealing fox hunting after the 2015 election. While he also promised a free vote he sought to win and the SNP announcing they would vote against it left the measure ripe for defeat and the motion was withdrawn.

9 year old girl killed in accident while hunting with the Cotswold FH
Inquest hears criticism of level of supervision of child riders

12-5-17   Swindon Advertiser   Greater supervision needed for youngsters riding as part of a hunt, inquest hears   The level of supervision of children at a hunt meeting where a nine year old girl died after being kicked by a horse was 'far short of what could reasonably be expected,' an inquest was told. Health and Safety expert Philip Park, who investigated the tragic death of Bonnie Armitage, said he believes children under eleven taking part in hunts should be supervised by adults on a one to one basis.

The inquest has heard that tragic Bonnie, of Faringdon, Oxon, was one of five children all under the supervision of one adult rider, Melissa Kennedy, at the meeting of the Cotswold Hunt in Miserden, nr Stroud, Glos, on April 2nd last year. Bonnie was a pupil at St Hugh's preparatory school in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, where her father is deputy head. Bonnie was riding her Shetland pony, Lindsay, when she was kicked in the chest by a large horse called Harvey which was being ridden ahead of her by farmer and circus owner Toti Gifford, the inquest jury at Gloucester has been told.The Gloucester inquest jury returned a conclusion of accidental death.

Mr Park, a manager at Stroud district council, told the inquest "It is my view that the level of supervision fell short of what could be reasonably expected. My conclusion was that had Bonnie been actively supervised by a responsible adult who was in close contact with her there was a possibility she would have been instructed not to get too close to the horse in front. That could have had the effect of preventing the injury. If she had not got too close to the horse in front of her it could not have kicked her."

He told the inquest he believed it would be helpful in future if Hunts set a stipulated level of competence for child participants. It would also be helpful to have guidance on the ratios of children to supervising adults, he said. "I did not see any evidence that the Cotswold Hunt makes any enquiry about the competence of child riders. They rely in parents to make the decision themselves on the level of supervision that children should have at a hunt. "It is important for the Hunt to make a decision about the level of supervision otherwise there will be no consistency in the way it is implemented."

Asked to expand more on his views of what should happen at hunts where young children are taking part he said "Close supervision would mean one to one - one adult supervising one child. I would expect that adult to stay with the child as much as possible during the hunt. "I accept there is a chaotic and fast moving atmosphere but an adult could exercise more control over one child than one adult in charge of two or three children. I would suggest one to one supervision is reasonably practicable."

James Chamberlain, who was senior Master of the Hunt at the time but has now retired, told the jury agreed that the Hunt had not made any rules about children taking part. "If poor Bonnie had been supervised one to one I fail to see how it would have made any difference," he said. He believed that the real issue was the competence of both the young rider and the horse, he said. When he took his own children hunting in the past he had always made sure they stayed behind him, he added. But it had to be remembered, he said, that 'horses are dangerous at both ends' and riders should all be aware from an early age of the need to keep space around them at all times.

Mr Gifford told the inquest he was cantering across a field on his horse Harvey - 'a lovely, calm, gentle giant' - when the tragedy happened as Bonnie rode up alongside him. "My horse went irregular," he said. "He just didn't feel right. Then I heard a yell. I looked back. My horse is really big and there was this really little horse, the Shetland, underneath my feet almost. It went really fast, past me, and then carried on. Then I looked back and I saw Bonnie. At the time the incident happened I was going forward, looking ahead. You never think there is anything behind you because you are going forward. I just heard this yell. When I looked back she (Bonnie) was still landing. I pulled up. It's a bit of a blur really. I can't really remember....I just jumped off my horse. I didn't hang on to him but he followed me back. I went over. Then others all arrived. I can't really remember what happened, it was such a mad.....I grabbed all the horses and led them away. Then she was lying there. Big blue eyes... The emergency services and ambulance came and then we realised a helicopter was also coming."

He said his horse had been hunting for several years and is a 'fantastic animal.' I think it (what happened) was an instinctive thing, he was a bit shocked or frightened or spooked. I think, I don't know." He added "At the moment it happened it felt like the horse had gone lame. I thought maybe I had gone into a hole or the horse had stumbled. I didn't think he bucked. I just thought he had put his foot down a hole or lost a shoe or something had happened or he had stumbled on something."...

Det Inspector Wayne Ussher of Gloucestershire police said he had investigated the tragedy and concluded that the accident 'could not have been prevented.' "She was following the main body of riders in company with other children and under the care of a responsible adult. Her company approached the rear of a much larger horse which took an irregular stride and struck her. She died as a result of injury sustained from a kick to the chest by the horse but in the circumstances presented to me it could not have been prevented."

The inquest at Gloucester has heard Bonnie was one of about fifty riders at the last meeting of the season of the Cotswold Hunt at Miserden House. A jury of ten people has been sworn in to hear the case. The inquest heard a statement from Bonnie's dad, teacher Nick Armitage, formally identifying his daughter and describing her as a 'bright girl, fit and healthy, a good runner, she enjoyed everything... She was a very competent rider. She could walk, trot, canter and gallop, She had been hunting many times at different hunts. She would sometimes be out for many hours. She had hunted off a lead rein for two years. " He said the pony was eight years old and was 'experienced, dependable, safe and doesn't spook.'...

The jury heard that after the incident paramedics and an emergency doctor battled for 45 minutes to resuscitate Bonnie in the field before she was airlifted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. But she was certified dead 15 minutes after arrival in the hospital. After a retirement of one hour the jury of ten people brought in a verdict of accidental death without any further comment. The coroner, Katy Skerrett, said she would consider over the next ten days whether to make recommendations about a minimum level of competence being required for child riders at hunts, whether safety equipment should be a requirement and whether children should be supervised...

POWAperson comments - We send our condolences to Bonnie's family and friends for their tragic loss. However, we believe it is simply wrong for Hunts to induct children, often much younger than nine, into the brutality of hunting with hounds and think it tantamount to child abuse. It is, of course, also inherently dangerous.
  

Labour Shadow Chancellor says HA must be enforced & strengthened

11-5-17  Belfast Telegraph   Hunt club loses appeal against £62,000 payout over dead pigeons   The Countryside Alliance has lost its appeal against a Co Armagh pigeon fancier being awarded £62,000 damages for the alleged slaughter of his stock by hunt club hounds. Senior judges in Belfast today rejected arguments that the killing of 59 racing birds by dogs breaking into Maurice Weir's premises on the Kinnego Road in Loughgall eight years ago never happened.

Lawyers for the Alliance suggested it had been a fraudulent and fabricated claim by a man who destroyed his own pigeons by wringing their necks. But after the Court of Appeal threw out all grounds of challenge Mr Weir [left] declared himself fully vindicated. He said: "My credibility was called into question, and I'm just happy that it's been dismissed as tittle-tattle."

Mr Weir sued the Alliance over the alleged intrusion into his property by the Kinnego Grange and Canary Hunt Club's animals. At a previous hearing he recalled emerging from having lunch in February 2009 to discover "a bloodbath". Up to 15 hounds had broken into lofts and aviaries and killed pigeons highly sought for their ability to fly home from as far away as France, according to his account. He said he saw dead and injured birds lying on the ground and in dogs' mouths. Mr Weir also told of hearing crunching noises and witnesses two hounds pulling a pigeon apart as he tried to chase the pack off.

At the time of the incident he had planned to start up a small stud business at his home, the court heard. He sought damages for the killing of his pigeons, consequential loss, the cost of repairing his aviaries and a further payout for distress and injury to feelings. Counsel for Mr Weir claimed the huntsmen were negligent in failing to control their dogs.

In February last year a High Court judge held that the plaintiff was an honest and straightforward witness whose account was corroborated by others at the scene. She ruled that the hounds had been on his property, gained entry to the lofts and aviaries and, on the balance of probabilities, killed the pigeons. Mr Weir was awarded £59,580 in damages, with a further £2,500 for distress and injury to feelings.

The Alliance sought to have her verdict overturned, arguing again that the hunt's dogs were never on the premises. In a wide-ranging challenge its barristers questioned the credibility of Mr Weir and an independent expert. To succeed, according to the three appeal judges, the Alliance had to establish the hounds had no propensity to attack or kill pigeons, were not on Mr Weir's land and that the scenario he depicted was "a complete farrago of lies". However, Lord Justice Gillen held there was ample evidence for the conclusion that the dogs can inflict heavy losses on the birds. He also ruled: "We are therefore unable to conclude that (the trial judge) has gone plainly wrong in arriving at the conclusion that on the balance of probabilities the incident alleged by the plaintiff did occur." Rejecting all other grounds advanced, he confirmed the appeal was being dismissed and awarded costs to Mr Weir.

8-5-17   Daily Mirror    'This could be the chance we've been waiting for': Fox hunt bosses' leaked Tory campaign email in full - The email urges hunt masters to “mobilise supporters” and campaign for pro-hunting Tories in marginal seats   Tonight, the Mirror revealed fox hunt masters' secret plan to round up support for Theresa May, because they believe a Tory landslide would lead to the fox hunting ban being scrapped. The email, sent to Hunts across the country by Tory peer Lord Mancroft [right], urges Hunt Masters to “mobilise supporters” and campaign for pro-hunting Tories in marginal seats. He said a Tory majority of 50 or more MPs should be enough to secure a repeal of the 2004 Hunting Act in a Parliamentary vote later this year. “This is the chance we have been waiting for,” Lord Mancroft wrote.

Here's the email in full - 'While anything can change in a six-week election campaign, and we know that the polls cannot be relied on, there is a real chance that on 8th June, Theresa May could achieve a majority significantly in excess of the seventeen seats she currently has. A majority of fifty or more would give us a real opportunity for repeal of the Hunting Act (HA), or perhaps an alternative legislative measure – but only if that leaves hunting in a better position than it is now. It must be clearly understood that repeal is our primary objective, but also that politics is “the art of the possible”, and we will take whichever option is the most advantageous to hunting when the time comes. It will only become clear what our best option is after 8th June.

First, we need a cast iron manifesto commitment from the Conservative Party, as we had in the last four election manifestos. Like everyone else, we will have to wait until the manifesto is published on 8th May to be certain, but Simon Hart MP and I have received assurances that such a commitment will be carried forward to the 2017 manifesto. I have made it clear that we will only provide support on that basis, and that if the manifesto does not contain an acceptable commitment, we will withdraw our support.

It is important that everyone understands why the idea that “the Government did not honour the manifesto commitments after the 2010 and 2015 elections” is incorrect. On both occasions David Cameron made it clear that he would authorise and fully endorse a vote in a manner, and at a time, of our choosing.

During the Coalition Government a vote could only take place if the Liberal Democrats agreed, which they did not. After 2015 the Scottish Nationalists reversed their earlier commitment to abstain from any votes that did not impact Scotland, and opposed the proposed Statutory Instrument, and consequently the Government Chief Whip did not think we could win a vote in the House of Commons.

All the advice we received was that we should not risk such a vote unless we had a reasonable expectation of winning. We therefore concluded it was not in hunting’s best interests to put the matter to a vote. I am sure that was the correct decision. We have repeatedly made clear that we need a Government that has both a manifesto commitment to repeal the HA, and a big enough majority to get repeal through the Commons and then the Lords.

It now looks, unexpectedly, as if there is a very real chance we could get such a Government. While nothing in politics is certain, this is by far the best opportunity we have had since the ban, and is probably the best we are likely to get in the foreseeable future. On that basis, we must do everything we possibly can to maximise the chance of getting repeal of the HA. I am confident that every Master will give the leadership and direction that our community needs at this seminal moment. Vote OK, under the direction of George Bowyer, has already started to plan what we are all going to do during the campaign. A number of constituencies do not yet have candidates, so there is a role for us in making sure that only candidates supportive of hunting are selected. Vote OK will advise how best to achieve this.

We will only help candidates who give us an unequivocal commitment to support repeal when the time comes. Nor do we need to help candidates in “safe seats” with large majorities. Instead we will concentrate on those seats where we can make the most difference. Unless specifically advised to the contrary, every Hunt should assume that it will be needed to assist with political work and start making arrangements to mobilise supporters now. Please make sure that your Hunt has an active and effective Vote-OK Coordinator in place and that they are making regular contact with your Regional Vote-OK Director (RVOD). Please do not wait to hear where your Hunt should go, but contact them as soon as possible. If you do not know who your RVOD is, contact George Bowyer by email at [address redacted].

In the face of everything that has happened over the last two decades, the hunting community has never given up fighting for our sport, for our hounds, and to enable our children and their children to enjoy both, as we have. This is the chance we have been waiting for. We have six weeks to show, yet again, what we are made of, and our undying commitment to our way of life. We have six weeks to win back all that has been taken from us. Masters, if ever there was a time to give a lead, this is it. Please don’t waste a single day of those six weeks.

Thank you. Benjamin Mancroft   Chairman, Council of Hunting Associations

POWAperson adds -  Old Etonian Lord Mancroft became JM of the Vale of the White Horse FH in 1987, the same year in which he inherited his father's baronetcy, and held the Mastership for 11 years. In 1992, he became vice-chair of the British Field Sports Society and then a Director, when it changed its name to the more user-friendly Countryside Alliance. He was made vice-chair of the CA in 2005. His somewhat lurid past includes a time as a heroin addict, during which time he acquired a conviction for theft. In February 2008, Mancroft claimed that NHS nurses who had treated him at the Royal United Hospital in Bath were "grubby, drunken and promiscuous". The hospital's Chief Executive, James Scott, called the accusations "damaging and distressing", and requested that the peer retract them. Mancroft has so far refused to do this, or to apologise. Nice guy.

It's no surprise that a commitment for a repeal vote will be in the Conservative manifesto. The leadership has always seemed determined to ignore the mass of public opinion, including an estimated 72% of their own voters, and push through Hunting Act repeal to please their bloodsports loving friends if they got the opportunity. They probably thought that had come with the surprise election result in 2015 and must have been aghast to find that many of the new intake of Tory MPs refused to support repeal. They may find the same applies to the potential newbies this time round. Whether or not, they will face massive parliamentary and public opposition and risk reviving the 'Nasty Party' image, just to get rid of a law that does not seem to much inhibit organised Hunts anyway. Doubtless Vote OK will once more send out hunt supporters into marginal with instructions to wear plain clothes and not bring up hunting on the doorsteps.  

Three Derwent FH hunt servants charged with illegal hunting

Marles is to become Eggesford FH Huntsman next season

4-5-17   Wildlife Guardian   Three Derwent Hunt members charged with illegal hunting   Three members of a North Yorkshire hunt have been charged with illegal hunting under Section 1 of the Hunting Act. Hunt master Sean McClarron, kennel-huntsman Jason Marles and whipper-in Damian Readman will appear at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on 22nd May 2017. The charges relate to an allegation that a fox was hunted on 1st November 2016 at Wilton, Thornton-le-Dale.Sean McClarron runs McClarron Insurance Brokers in Malton, whilst Jason Marles is the new huntsman of the Eggesford Hunt in Devon. Readman was formerly a whipper-in for the Staintondale Hunt.The Derwent Hunt’s chairman is Viscountess Diane Downe of Wykeham Abbey. Its directors include John Swiers, of Broxa Farm, near Scarborough, and Robert Sword the manager of the Dawnay Estates at Wykeham.

     

Anti gets to see her apology letter from hunter abuser after 4 months
His tirade of sexist abuse got him a conditional caution including apology
Police previously refused to allow victim to see his apology letter

24-4-17  Daily Mail   Anti-hunt activist who was called a 'f*****g slag' and a 'whore' at a protest battles for FOUR MONTHS to see a copy of her abuser's apology letter - Hunt spectator subjected Cathy Scott to barrage of foul-mouthed sexist abuse - He called her 'a f****** fat s***' and told her to 'f*** off back to Coventry'   After a video of the incident went viral, the unnamed man received a police caution over the incident on the condition he provided a written apology. Ms Scott said she had to battle police for four months to get a copy of the letter.

Cathy Scott was labelled a 'f****** slag' and a 'whore' by a 59-year-old man in Sutton Cheney, Leics, last November. After a video of the incident went viral on social media sites, the unnamed man received a police caution over the incident, on the condition he provided a written apology. The video emerged just days after a local councillor on horseback told a hunt protester that he would 'quite like to s***' her.

But after Ms Scott asked Leicestershire Police why she hadn't received the letter, she claims she was told she would have to view it at a police station but wouldn't be able to touch or keep it due to its 'sensitive nature'. When Ms Scott, 41, complained about the 'bizarre' decision, she says she was then offered a version of the letter with the perpetrator's name redacted. It was only after Ms Scott lodged a formal complaint that she eventually got given a copy of the letter - some four months after the incident, and two months after it was written.

Ms Scott, from Coventry, Warwickshire, said: 'Leicestershire Police were essentially protecting the perpetrator and treating me, the victim, like a criminal. If I have to jump through hoops like that to get a simple letter of apology, what chance do other victims of more serious crimes have? They told me I could come and read the letter at arm's length - what sort of rule is that? It was agreed that as part of his conditional caution he would write me a letter of apology and take a victim awareness course. Did they think I would never ask about the letter? This man called me some of the most horrible, misogynistic names under the sun. He waved his fist at me and another woman and we really did feel threatened."

"I had to chase the letter up time and time again and they gave me this most peculiar excuse that because it had details of a 'sensitive nature' they couldn't let me keep it. Obviously I questioned this but they were adamant that I couldn't have it and would have to meet a police officer to look at it. It was absolutely ludicrous and if I hadn't have fought it, I'd probably still be waiting for the apology."

The shocking footage was shared on Facebook by members of the West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs, who were on the country road to protest against the Atherstone Hunt. Ms Scott and another member of the West Midlands Hunt Saboteur group were involved in a confrontation with two men. after a collision between their cars during a hunt on November 29th last year. One man got out of his vehicle and said to Ms Scott: 'You want some of this, f*****? Eh?' before adding: 'F*** off back to Coventry where you belong you f****** w****.'

Ms Scott said: 'We were there to monitor activity on the hunt. We stopped our vehicle on the lane because we could see them coming down the track. They drove their vehicle into us and that's when I was met with this tirade of abuse. It was really nasty stuff. He was effing and blinding and calling me all the names under the sun, all on camera. It was completely unacceptable language. I told him it was some of the worst abuse I had ever heard. It was unprovoked and unnecessary. I was feeling massively intimidated and that's why I reported it to the police. To be fair, they dealt with the initial incident swiftly. But I didn't expect to be waiting on an apology all this time later. He wrote the letter in January for goodness sake and I only got it in March.'

It is believed the unnamed man must now attend a victim awareness course which he must pay for himself and he must write a letter of apology to the victim. The letter read: 'I am writing this letter of apology to you as instructed, I apologise to you for the coarse language and derogatory comments used against you on Tuesday the 29th of November 2016. On the gated road [in] Sutton Cheney. The comments were made in the heat of the moment, and for that I apologise.'

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: 'An initial decision was made by an officer not to provide a copy of the apology letter due to some of the content within. A complaint was made from the victim regarding this which coincided with a review from a more senior officer on the original decision. After a review, this officer agreed to provide a copy of the apology letter to the victim. A complaint from the victim is still under investigation by our Professional Standards department therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this stage.'

Tory councillor Charles Carter, 33, quit his position at Breckland Council after a video of him being sexist and misogynistic to a hunt protester went viral. Carter told Linda Hoggard, who filmed his derogatory comments, that she was 'very pretty' and asked if he could take her to bed.

Original story and video can be found here. 

Town Council secret meeting with Atherstone FH exposed by sabs

Monitors blocked, abused, menaced by VWH support as Hunt tries to find foxes

Police called out three times by threatened monitor group 

10-4-17   Facebook - Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch    Both the VWH and Cotswold hunts were out on Saturday, presumably able to hunt this late as they have access to large private estates and therefore don’t have to stop because farmers are growing crops. The fact that the foxes they hunt probably have cubs that need feeding is not considered by these people. With the help from a Three Counties sab, we covered the VWH meet which was in Cirencester Park the home of Allen Bathurst the 9th Earl of Bathurst and his Countess wife Sara who came out and attended the hunt in their 4x4.

The Hunt left the meet area quickly and disappeared into the large area of sloping woods behind the polo ground. It took a long time to track them down but eventually we did, finding them putting the hounds to search through the undergrowth. They continued to do this, but when the hounds picked up two of our team were able to get their heads up, much to the annoyance of the Huntsman. They moved on quickly, in fact they kept moving on, hunting when they could but as the huntsman told one of our team, the warm day and the wild garlic made it hard for the hounds to find scent.

Supporters were starting to gather and these included some of the Bicester Boys – ‘Tommy Gadget Man’ who seems to have swapped his ‘gadget’ for a mobile phone and also a truck load of ‘anti-antis’ from Dorset who presumably wanted to prolong their fun after their own hunts had all finished. They basically think it’s clever to surround monitors cars to try and harass and intimidate and to show off in front of their friends. During the day, we had 2 instances of drunken hunt thugs banging their fists on the window of our vehicles threatening and abusing the occupants. At one of these instances, a redcoat was watching. After the driver called the police, the redcoat suddenly decided he needed to apologise for the hunt thug. At another point in the day ‘anti-antis’ lay in the road and surrounded one of our vehicles to prevent it from moving! Foot-walkers were subjected to tactics of harassment designed to avoid legal action as well. This all resulted in us having to contact the police three times.

Despite extensive searching, the hunt found nothing in Overley Wood and went back down the park to the bottom end, trying to hunt the wood near the polo ground entrance but prevented by the timely arrival of two lots of foot-walkers. They changed horses at the polo ground and immediately set off again towards the north of the park, not seeming to find much and not heard on cry just repeatedly searching. Two women hikers in the park were shocked to learn what was taking place, and wished us luck. Sadly, towards the very end of the day after most of the field had gone home, they went quickly back up from the south end of the park to the Overley Ride area where they were heard in cry. As we only had one monitor in that area, they were able to hunt for some time- sadly we don’t know the outcome. It is pretty sure they returned to where they knew there was a fox – maybe the one that had gone to ground last Wednesday or maybe the one that our team had earlier protected.

The ‘anti-antis’ followed our vehicle at the end of the day. As we went towards the bend on the A419 near the polo ground entrance, a female pheasant was knocked by a car coming the other way and staggered to our side of the road. Our driver put on hazard lights and stopped while we collected the bird to try to help it. The ‘anti-antis’ in the vehicle behind, jeered and laughed at this action showing their complete inability to empathise with injured wildlife. Luckily we knew of a safe haven where the pheasant could be kept and monitored. We have since heard that it recovered and flew off. Stay safe little bird!

The Hunt went on until around 6pm. It was a terrible and disturbing sight on a beautiful spring day to see young children being escorted by veteran hunt riders actively indoctrinating them by pointing us out to be misguided.

Film of monitor's car windscreen being smashed at S.Dorset FH meet
Video also has stills of young riders struggling to escape bog

2-4-17  Facebook - Dorset Hunt Sabs  VIDEO   Hit Report Thursday 30th March 2017, South Dorset Hunt Meeting at Rollington Farm, Corfe Castle    This [2nd] report focuses on two specific incidents of the day.

During the early part of the day, while the field were travelling through the forestry not far from the Oil Gathering Station, three young riders not knowing the all-consuming bogs in the area rode off track. Their horses sunk into the bog and threw the young riders. The horses, now under some stress, thrashed around to get a footing in the brown foul-smelling bog [right]. The monitor who was close by stopped videoing and carefully ‘danced’ over to the area trying to avoid the deepest of the bog sumps and gullies.

He was concerned the horses would endanger the young riders by falling on them and pushing them into the bog. After asking the young riders if they were okay he beckoned over adult riders. Two of the ponies came out of the bog without to much stress. The third was seriously struggling and moving the wrong way. Eventually the pony was persuaded to turn and came out the bog in the direction from which he came. Riders and ponies looked to be okay on exit from the bog, although probably stressed.

When the very same monitor returned to his car at the end of hunting he found his windscreen smashed. It appeared to have been smashed with a hard object [Dash-cam still below]. Police, who were on site all day, were called and attended. Frankly they were furious at what had happened and will follow up the crime. After the monitor was on the scene of the bog incident and standing by to help earlier in the day he was extremely disappointed that a hunt follower should resort to such vandalism.

Note: The vehicle had a ‘dash cam’. The video from the dash cam is now being studied for evidence of who committed the crime. We have set up a GFM to pay for the damage to the monitors car, we have worked closely with him this season. We are in awe of his experience and he is one of the kindest and caring gentlemen you will ever meet. https://www.gofundme.com/dorset-sabs-vandalised-vehicle

Hunt packs up when told were being filmed

27-3-17   Facebook - Guildford Hunt Saboteurs   VIDEO   On Saturday, along with North Downs Sabs, we paid a visit to the Wiltshire & Infantry Beagles at Manor Farm, Stockton. Soon after leaving the meet we got this video of them chasing a hare. Once they realised they were being filmed they got the hounds back to the farm and into the hound van and drove off.

Chair of NT contradicts officials who said can't monitor licenced Hunts

Maintains happy to licence them despite evidence of multiple breaches

Cites a few, short suspensions to show won't tolerate law-breaking

23-3-17   Facebook - Leicester Animal Rights [LAR]   Last night the Director-General of The National Trust, Dame Helen Ghosh [below left, credit Daily Mail], gave a talk at Nottingham Trent University on the challenges the National Trust faces and how it responds to societal change. One of our members went along to question her about their organisations support of 'trail hunting', which we all know is a cover for illegal fox hunting. Here's the transcript of the questions asked...

LAR member - “I have been asking a question for quite some time now which I have not had an answer to, and that is have you read the 'Trail Of Lies' report which the International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW actually sent to The National Trust and to you. Really my question has three parts; we have a local hunt, The Belvoir Hunt, and the Huntsman said in the Horse & Hound that he is not surprised that foxes are killed when the Hunts go out. There is a huge overlap between 'trail hunting' and fox hunting. Given that you say that you are moving forward in the future to conserve wildlife, why are you still licensing 'trail hunts' on National Trust land when you know it will result in animals killed, that foxes are declining according to the latest research and you are not answering members questions and they are leaving because of it.”

Dame Helen Ghosh – “Thank you. The answer is yes, I have read it, essentially last year but I have read it . Our position on 'trail hunting' on National Trust land, as we have explained to members who have contacted us, is that Parliament has, we believe that Parliament should be the judge of what is legal activity. We have now all sorts of activity on our land if it is legal, we have about I think fifty licenses on our land at present for 'trail hunting'. We monitor carefully what goes on. We believe it is ultimately the responsibility of the police.”

LAR member - "Excuse me, you did tell me that The National Trust can’t monitor, so that is not true. You do not carefully monitor. You told me that you do not monitor.”

Dame Helen Ghosh – “We do monitor and we have good examples of suspending licenses against our criteria. As you say, the terms of our licenses are about conservation and access and we monitor the actions of the Hunts against the terms of our license. We work with the police on prosecutions and we suspend Hunts when we don’t believe that they are adhering to our license terms. So that is our response on 'trail hunting'. We of course have had a lot of correspondence, there has been a lot on social media, I think around something in the region of 20’s of members have left because of their views on this and I imagine there are members who will take the other view so having a membership of 4.7 million people there will always be a difference of view but at the moment that is our position. If Parliament has said that this is legal, and they adhere to or license, then we allow it.”

Our thoughts are as follows...

- It is an offence to host an illegal fox hunt under Section 3 of The Hunting Act 2004 (http://bit.ly/2kLs51k ) and if Dame Helen Ghosh has read the report (http://g.ifaw.org/2hbxOIR ) demonstrating that 'trail hunting' is mere fiction, how can she still condone crimes committed by her own organisation?

- In a recent statement by The League Against Cruel Sports (http://bit.ly/2nVckmo ), it was explained that senior staff from The National Trust considered themselves to have insufficient resources to monitor hunts using their land. They also declined the offer of assistance from The League Against Cruel Sports. How on earth, therefore, can this be considered 'careful monitoring' by Dame Helen Ghosh? Please feel free to remind her of what her senior staff are saying by emailing the LACS statement on 10/03/2017 (link provided above) to her at helen.ghosh@nationaltrust.org.uk .

- The National Trust recently announced that they had lost sight of the principle of protecting declining wildlife (http://bit.ly/2mU1qeL ). What measures will they now take to protect the red fox given that The BTO British Trust for Ornithology mammal monitoring program shows the red fox population to have declined by 34% (http://bit.ly/2dGQw7X ) in the 1996-2014 period? Feel free to forward this question to Dame Helen Ghosh too.

- Given that the talk was on how The National Trust responds to societal change, isn't it about time they updated their views regarding bloodsports that are opposed by an increasing amount of people each year (http://bit.ly/2iSAkE1 )?

If any members of The National Trust don't believe the 'trail hunt' lies then please send us a message on leicesteranimalrightsgroup@gmail.com.

Ledbury FH show solidarity with scandal-hit S.Herefordshire Hunt

Intend to hold meets next season at homes of SHFH Masters

CPS very soon due to say if charging anyone over the fox cubs affair

22-3-17   Facebook - Hunt Investigation Team    In 2 days time we will see how the state intends to deal with the 5 suspects in the notorious fox cub killing case. Will they follow the evidence and see what every fair minded, decent person sees and allow justice to take its course. Or will they revert to type, protect their own and turn a blind eye to this disgusting animal cruelty. The world is watching...

Meanwhile, the Ledbury Hunt have announced their intentions to host meets for next season at the homes of the Masters of the now defunct South Herefordshire Hunt. Surprise, surprise, it's the usual suspects that keep cropping up. More details to follow.

Sabs upload more film of Atherstone FH New Year meet violence & abuse

21-3-17   Facebook - West Mids Sabs  VIDEO   MORE VIOLENCE FROM THE ATHERSTONE HUNT - Atherstone Hunt New Years Meet    As long as the Atherstone fox hounds are loose in the countryside we’ll be with them as they pose a threat to any wildlife they come into contact with. It also doesn't matter to us what new staff the hunt brings in, a leopard can’t change it’s spots and this is the Atherstone Hunt, you can't polish a turd.

The appalling violence from Atherstone Hunt supporters directed at peaceful non-violent protestors in AtherstoneMarket Square on the 2/1/17 [crazed supporters, right]continued once the hunt had left the Square. The video speaks for itself, masked up males in balaclavas repeatedly attack a vehicle of mostly female sabs. Repeatedly blocking and surrounding the vehicle and throwing eggs, rocks and tree branches at the vehicle.

The violence from the Market Square is being investigated by PC Kim Stafford of Warwickshire Police whilst the incidents that followed later were reported to Leicestershire Police.

Complaints have been made to Warwickshire Police over their choosing not to police the violence despite having intelligence it would happen. The complaints have been investigated by Inspector David Williams, part of the team responsible for not policing it and himself named in some of the complaints. He inevitably came to the conclusion that Warwickshire Police had done nothing wrong and that there were no lessons to be learned. There’s nothing at all suspicious about investigating a complaint about yourself, anyone would think they have something to hide. Atherstone Town Council continue to blame the victims for the violence that happened to them. Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/westmidlandhuntsabs

Pics below -  1/  Supporter menacing sab before assaulting    2/  Supporter throwing egg   3/  The result    4/  Supporter throws stick at sab car   5/  Masked supporter thumps sab car window 

Assaults came as sabs intervened to save hunted fox 

19-3-17  Facebook – S.Cambs Hunt Saboteurs   Hit Report – 18/03/17 Pytchley FH, Winwick (nr West Haddon), Northants   We teamed together with members from Northants , Suffolk And Essex, North East London, Norfolk/Suffolk & Cambridge Sabs to sab the horrible Pytchley Hunt. This Hunt are renowned for the aggression of both their foot support and riders with today proving no different.

Straight from the off we had the Hunt in our sights with good team work from the groups predicting their next move. As usual with most Hunts they raced across busy roads with no regard for the safety of their hounds, car drivers or their poor abused horses. Early on we witnessed several riders crash their horses into fences, with several red faced hunters falling off. From the smell of alcohol emanating from a lot of them and the meet being the last of the season, their brazen recklessness was very evident.

During the course of the day we saw the hounds go into cry and chase on several occasions, but we were well placed to distract the hounds enough for the foxes to make their escape. The amount of terrier men out today and their activities around certain woods, indicated they had pre-caught foxes, either bagged up or boxed up ready for quick release. On two occasions the hounds went into immediate cry while entering woods, woods at which terrier men were already stationed. What are the chances, ey?

We had the usual hefty 'hunt stewards' out but they can barely make it more than 20 meters out of their vehicles without holding their chests and wheezing. The fact we were successful during the day meant the riders became more aggressive as they day went on. Moments after sabs intervened as hounds went into cry onto a nearby fox, two sabs were viciously assaulted and one hospitalized. We cannot say any more at this time as an investigation has started. Actions like this only make us more determined to stop wildlife brutally slaughtered - and the undeterred sabs made sure the cowardly Hunt ended the day with no kills made.

18-3-17   Facebook - Northants Hunt Saboteurs   HIT REPORT 18.03.17   We found ourselves paying a much-needed visit to the Pytchley Hunt today, and after we ruined their initial meet which was originally planned at a local pub who got cold feet and pulled the plug a couple of weeks ago, we could tell today would be an eventful sab.... We found the Hunt straight away, and watched as hounds spilled out on the road, with a redcoat milling aimlessly behind them. The field quickly took flight across some locked gates, causing damage and losing riders every which way. There were a lot of red faces as riders dusted themselves off, but we can't be sure if that was from embarrassment or the tipple they'd had before they started..

With three vehicles out today, we had eyes and ears on the Hunt at all times, and we could tell they were getting more and more irate. One group of foot sabs saved a fleeing fox right in front of all the blood thirsty support and hunt thugs. The hounds were right on top of the fox and it was a very close call but the fox got away safely. Immediately following this, sabs were forced to defend themselves against said thugs ! Our vehicle got blocked in early on in the day, and sabs in the field unfortunately found themselves assaulted not long after the Hunt had second horsed. Clearly frustrated at the constant sab presence and the lack of blood spilled, one rider assaulted a female and a male sab. Although we can't go in to any more details or post any footage, it's now with the police.

All in all a triumphant day with lots of good friends and no kills. Thanks to those who travelled to sab with us, and to the Northamptonshire police who genuinely surprised us with their sab-friendly demeanour.

Reports say sabs badly injured, stuff damaged/stolen at Middleton FH

Supporters from Derwent Hunt thought main assailants

Locals and some riders disgusted by hunter's behaviour 

Three sab cameras stolen on top of injuries - police involved

19-3-17  HSA Press Release   Hunt Saboteurs Assaulted by Notorious Yorkshire Hunt    Hunt saboteurs were assaulted by members of the Middleton Hunt at their meet in Uncleby, North Yorkshire on Saturday 18th March. Riders from the hunt stole a video camera and two body cams, hit sabs on the head with whips, attempted to ride them down and jumped off their horses to continue the attacks. One female saboteur has cracked ribs after being crushed between two horses.

Other sabs suffered serious head injuries and broken fingers. Multiple ambulances had to be called to the scene and several of the injured were encouraged to attend hospital. The attack was filmed, attackers have been identified and this information has been passed to the police who are investigating. The footage can't currently be released due to the ongoing investigation.

Lee Moon, Spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “In 2015 an undercover investigation implicated the Middleton hunt in the rearing of captive foxes to be illegally hunted. In January of this year huntsman Charles Carter was filmed making sexually inappropriate comments to a member of the public. He subsequently had to resign as a Tory councillor. The hunt have now added violent assault and theft to their list of crimes and are fast becoming one of the most notorious in the country.

We repeatedly see hunters using their horses as weapons and, has been shown in recent years, this can result in serious injury. We are hopeful that the large number of police who attended the scene yesterday are indicative of how seriously they are taking this situation and we look forward to a swift and positive investigation.

Lord Middleton of Birdsall was Joint Master of the Hunt until 2013 and has their kennels on his Birdsall estate. It is alleged that that he no longer allows the hunt on his land due to the recent controversies. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to having his name associated to robbery and violent assault.”

Numerous badger setts also found stopped before hunting 

17-3-16   Facebook - Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs  VIDEO 1  VIDEO 2   Wednesday 15th March 2017 The Heythrop Hunt  held their last meet of the season in Swell Wold, near to Stow-on-the-Wold. They changed their traditional 'posh day' to Tuesday instead of Wednesday last season to try and avoid attention from us and the Hunt Monitors but we caught on rather quickly and we heard that their last meet would be held on the traditional Wednesday again.

We were out and about very early working alongside locals in the area with our sett-blocking patrols, catching a man on a quadbike leaving an area where we were about to check a sett around 5:30am. Perhaps unsurprisingly the tracks from the quad led right to the sett and it was freshly blocked. Elsewhere other patrols heard quads in the vicinity of other known setts and, surprise, surprise, more tracks leading right to and then away from blocked setts. In total we found 9 setts freshly blocked and we gathered evidence of the blocking, before removing the obstructions in order to give the badgers a helping hand while providing extra escape routes for hunted foxes. If following a trail, why block setts??

As the Heythrop Hunt have stalkers who follow our every move throughout the day, we grabbed some breakfast before they spotted us and one of our group was dropped inland where she knew she could keep an eye on the Hunt and on some of the setts which had been blocked to prove that the setts were blocked in areas the Hunt would be drawing.

Sure enough the Hunt drew through and near to the very same coverts and, just after 1pm having drawn blank in a few areas, hounds picked up strongly near to her. The fox leapt a wall and ran uphill and straight past her with hounds just metres behind him [above right. Fox left middle, hound bottom right corner], Hunt staff and field following around the bottom of the wood and making no attempts to stop the hounds. Fox jinked around in the wood and crossed a fairly fast road into Eyford Park with hounds following close behind... fox had put some more distance between him and them at this point [left], but we are unsure as to his fate after this fast chase. For legal reasons we are currently only showing the first part of the footage, so watch this space in future.

Upon viewing our video online our stalker Lizzie commented that there were only two hounds giving chase and therefore the hunt was legal. It's good that she confirmed, from a Hunt member's perspective, that they were indeed the Heythrop hounds and they were indeed chasing the fox. She obviously missed the clear third hound in the video and the fact that the fox was being chased down a field and into a wood... For it to be legal hunting a fox can be flushed by two hounds to a gun... flushing is being chased OUT of an area. Not into one.

It was clear by now that the Hunt were likely to cause trouble on the roads considering their lack of concern for members of the public and their own hounds when crossing over into Eyford Park. Foot sab crossed over behind them and went inland in Eyford and, just after the Hunt second-horsed near Kineton Hill, hounds started to pick up again and move towards her. A fox sprinted up a hedgeline away from the covert where the hounds were speaking and tried to go to ground in what looked like an old sett entrance, now taken over by rabbits, which had had a slab of rock shoved into the middle of it which stopped him making his escape there. A Hunt rider holloa'd from a nearby field and Huntsman began to bring hounds in that direction. Fox, meanwhile, made a run for it across fairly open land so the sun and warmth of the day would have been an extra help in reducing the scent left behind.

Around 5 quad bikes at this time were asked to follow our inland sab and she was swiftly asked to leave the land. As the Heythrop are scared to be caught illegally hunting (again) they tend to leave foxes alone when they know we have them on camera, so she asked terrierman to pass on the message that she had fox and holloa on film (you know, just so that Huntsman didn't 'accidentally' give chase thinking it was one of those elusive trails...). He refused, but Huntsman moved away from the area with pack tightly grouped and soon left Eyford Park itself.

Some strange incidents of road rage (between members of the public and hunt supporters) and a very odd, and insulting, racist remark made to another member of our group.

The Hunt continued to draw and pick up on and off and, as the temperature became cooler and therefore better for scent, hounds picked up during their last draw and chased a fox around land and across the A424 (at rush hour) not far from Stow-on-the-Wold . The pack split and Huntsman Charlie Frampton ended up on one side of the road... All we could do (especially when quadbikes were slowing us down) was to stop the car and put hazard lights on in order to warn traffic behind us... Unfortunately our stalker Di Campbell wasn't so clever or responsible and, with hounds crossing the road ahead, yelled at us that it wasn't safe to park (?!?) there and did not put her hazard lights on, meaning that fast-moving (and probably fed-up-with-the-hunt members of the public) swerved around the vehicles [below left] with no prior warning about the presence of the pack. She was probably too busy beeping her horn to prevent fox from breaking cover and filming with only one hand on the steering wheel to pay much attention to actual road safety issues!

When it was mentioned that Huntsman was irresponsibly calling hounds across the main road, stalkers Lizzie stated 'how else would you get them across?!' Hmmm... well 1. You don't 'lay a trail' across the main road 2. You don't allow hounds to chase a fox across a main road and 3. If you need to cross a main road you gather your pack up on one side and you have people on standby to slow down traffic while you cross at an open and safe point where you will be visible, can move straight to a clear area on the other side of the road at a sensible pace and carry on your way. Surely? No? Then you shouldn't be in control of a pack of hounds... But we're not Huntsman or whippers-in so what would we know about basic common sense? When police were informed they told us they had already received other reports of the Hunt's behaviour, so we will be following this up.

With blocked setts, fox chases, holloas and hounds hunting across main roads, we think our evidence clearly shows that the Hunt are not actually laying trails. Make up your own minds about it.

Pics below -  1/  Hunted fox closely passes sab   2/  Sab's 'stalker' filming while driving   3/  Freshly blocked sett, Swell Wood   4/  Hunt quad on road, no reg plate and overburdened

Eight blocked badger setts found in wake of Heythrop FH closing meet

16-3-17   Facebook - Stop Badger Sett Blocking   Following the Heythrop closing meet at Swell Buildings yesterday, further sett checking continued today. So far 8 blocked setts have been found where they were hunting and there will be more. One of the setts today was still blocked meaning that the badgers did not manage to dig themselves out last night. All setts checked were in the North Cotswold cull zone so the questions are... did the sett blockers disinfect their spades and quads? If not then why do vaccinators have to ? And why, if the area is considered to be a bTb hotspot,  were hounds, quads and horses cross-contaminating the whole area without any restrictions?

12-3-17  Facebook - South Coast Sabs   Report 11/03/2017 from mid-week hit on Southdown & Eridge Hunt   Sabs from S.Coast and Brighton joined up for a mid-week hit by those who could take time off work. So a small number were able to attend... We parked and dropped off sabs at the main gate to the estate, around 11.10am having seen horseboxes further back near Platchetts Wood (Harvey's Lane), and followed four riders to the estate entrance... Sabs went on footpath into estate grounds to have a look for the meet itself.

Suddenly the S&E usual quad terrier men 1 x rider plus 1 x pillion (no helmets or hats) had pulled up alongside the driver window, and stood by the window swearing and threatening. The pillion rider had gone around the back and checked the back door, it was locked though. Then the rider, followed him around and confronted the passenger through the window.

In very few seconds, after some verbal abusing and shouting, the rider of the quad punched the window and followed through with his elbow which smashed it completely, throwing glass everywhere inside. The passenger sustained cuts to face and hand.

The assailant did not throw another punch nor try to open my (passenger side door), he went back round to his quad and followed us, as we were able just after the smashing of the window, to head off northwards towards the A26. We were followed for about 2km before we lost them. The police were called and two cops, who took details. They suggested we leave with all the sabs since there were no other units available.

Cops left and we left 5 minutes later, only to find an ambulance back on Harveys Lane at Mounts Farm (and gone past two riders with one riderless horse by the estate entrance). This was for the Hunt, and there were lots of support on the road, in vehicles alongside the wood and later at vantage points to watch from. There were perhaps about 15 vehicles on the road watching the whole day. The Hunt spent more time in the woods... and finished at Mount farm.

In all there were at least 5 redcoats, and 25-30 field. Many of the support were much older people but some obviously were working in the area. Near the end of the day, another vehicle towing a farm/logging trailer came face to face with our vehicle, demanding to pass and not giving room for us to manoeuvre, keeping on moving at us and swearing etc. through the window, nearly getting out and threatening us.

Meanwhile, in the field, sabs were with the Hunt the entire time, at the start of the day a rider had fallen and was injured. This had delayed them for some time, but, as usual, they continued to hunt regardless of injuries to riders. Sabs were able to stay with them all day and prevent any kills.

As always we are keen to welcome new sabs, so pleased drop us a line if you are interested on, it’s as mad as it sounds but our wildlife needs protecting. We are of course now raising funds to replace our stolen Land Rover and are looking get in the region of £7,000 to get a vehicle which will last us a long time. Any donations very much appreciated and very much needed. https://www.gofundme.com/new-sabbing-vehicle-for-scoast-sabs  or https://www.paypal.me/SouthCoastHuntSabs .

Call to boycott Atherstone FH as JM revealed to run pet kennels

12-3-17  Innocent badger.com   Boycott the Atherstone Hunt   Do you want your pet dog or cat looked after by the Atherstone Hunt? Davret Boarding Kennels & Cattery is run by Atherstone Hunt joint master James Sharland and his dad David Sharland, who is also involved in the Hunt.

The Atherstone Hunt are constantly losing control of their hounds, they’ve been documented running all over busy main roads, chasing and killing foxes and rampaging through people’s back gardens that could easily have had pets in them (http://bit.ly/2mPtnrW ). Last season they even chased a dog walker's dog through Battram woods in Ibstock (http://bit.ly/2nsPOQI ). These very same people are running a boarding kennels and cattery to look after people’s pets.

Do you want your pet cat or dog looked after by the notorious Atherstone Hunt, well known for its concern for animal welfare? If you do the details are - Davret Boarding Kennels & Cattery, 8 Station Rd, Elmesthorpe, Leicester, Leics LE9 7SG 

12-3-17   Facebook - Jan Bee   Another equine vet who is a member of an [allegedly] illegal hunt, Jo Hales, in this case the Bicester Hunt (plenty of proof of illegal hunting online, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_roHrw13tk . See http://www.buckinghamequinevets.com/jo-hales/

Sabs shocked to see Old Surrey FH actually trail hunting - all day

Hunt already under investigation for illegal hunting, so...

11-3-17    Facebook - Brighton Hunt Saboteurs   Too hot to hunt? This sunny morning we headed to Withyham for the Old Surrey and Burstow, who are currently under investigation for illegal hunting.

To our surprise, they actually stuck to trail hunting all day, perhaps as there were both sabs and police round every corner. A couple of cops were even more surprised when a crow-scarer they were standing next to went off with a bang!  A terrified fox was disturbed by the hunt, popping up right near the hounds and hunt supporters. All our sabs got ready to stop the hounds but the huntsman realised he had no chance and took them off himself.

As we were celebrating a successful day in a nearby car park, one of the hunt staff had a go at gate-crashing the party but we were not prepared to share our scones and cake with such a loser.

Planned amateur Huntsman replacement now going elsewhere

10-3-17   Facebook – W.Mids Sabs   Atherstone Hunt in disarray - Atherstone being sued by current Huntsman - No Huntsman for next season  Current Huntsman Stuart Barton [right, wondering where pack is] was given notice till May. The Atherstone were planning to bring in Andrew Frank Smith as an amateur unpaid Huntsman. An EGM was planned in order to make this official. However Andrew Frank Smith has now told the Atherstone he's changed his mind and will be going to the South Notts Hunt instead. Current Huntsman Barton and partner Jainey Rainey (Hunt Groom) are suing the Atherstone Hunt for loss of earnings and will be leaving the Hunt early on the 3rd April.

This leaves the Hunt with some big problems. They have no money. They are being sued by their current hunt staff. If successful it will leave them with considerably less money. As mentioned they have no money and as Barton found out they can not afford to pay wages. Their planned unpaid replacement of Barton has had second thoughts. Which leaves the Atherstone with no Huntsman. And because of the persistent sab presence it's unlikely many people will want to take on the role. The Atherstone are planning on advertising for an unpaid Huntsman in the next edition of Horse and Hound magazine. We do hope they don't get inundated with fake applications as that really wouldn't be fair ;)

We planned on demonstrating outside the EGM, however with not much worth discussing they instead had a normal board meeting (which we demonstrated outside anyway). Our only concern about any of this is the hounds and horses. As Barton is leaving before his contract ends it means there will be no one at the kennels to look after them when he’s gone. We have informed the relevant authorities of this situation.

Whatever happens we're not going anywhere, as we've said before, as long as the Atherstone foxhounds are loose in the countryside we will be there. As long as their foxhounds are loose in the countryside they pose a threat to any wildlife they come into contact with and any motorists they inevitably dash out in front of.

Recap - This season the Atherstone Hunt have: Spent most of the season without a proper Whipper-In; Spent the entire season without a terrier man (meaning no dig outs, no blocked setts, no artificial earths used and less bagged / released foxes); Haven't second horsed; Have averaged 10 riders (or less); Have packed up on average around 2:00; Have lost a lot of land [see them left, exploiting some fine hunting country]; Have now been in the local and national press and media over 80 times; Made a loss of £13,000.

As the Hunt have themselves stated this has all come about because of a persistent sab presence. You can help us maintain this presence by clicking on the link https://www.paypal.me/westmidlandhuntsabs We would like to say thank you to you the public and all the other sab groups who have supported us this season.

Melbreak FH hounds filmed hunting unsupervised on NT land

10-3-17  Facebook - National Dis-Trust   VIDEO   We've been sent this footage taken last Sunday afternoon, 5th March, of the Melbreak fox hounds running all over the place. The Melbreak were hunting in Lanthwaite wood in the Crummock area of the lake district. This is owned by the National Trust, who licence the Melbreak to hunt in this area. It was a Sunday afternoon, there were families walking in the area, and hounds also trespassed into private property. As can be seen in the footage, the Huntsman is not in sight and not in control. The hounds are not following any trail. Many of the dogs looked emaciated, more than one had blood on it. Please contact the regional land agent for this area with any concerns about the licencing of Hunts on National Trust land in the Lake District - victoria.lancaster@nationaltrust.org.uk .

10-3-17    LACS Statement   Hunting on National Trust Land – League Statement    The League Against Cruel Sports is very concerned about the growing evidence of illegal hunting and other offences taking place on National Trust land, including the criminal use of firearms, poaching of deer, driving vehicles at deer and damaging Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Hunting wild animals like deer, hares and foxes with dogs for sport is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act (2004), except where an exemption applies. The National Trust currently issues licences to a number of hunts to conduct ‘trail hunts’ on some of its estates. These licences contain conditions designed to protect fauna and flora but it would seem the National Trust do not take any enforcement action for breaches of licence conditions unless there has been a police investigation and a conviction; no checks are made and the hunts simply self-report on their compliance with licence conditions.

League Against Cruel Sports officers have found evidence that a hunt which was banned from hunting with dogs on National Trust land in 1997, has repeatedly engaged in illegal stag hunting, driving hunt quad bikes and other vehicles on a restricted byway and footpaths used regularly by the public (including school children) and across protected moorland, and has discharged firearms to kill deer on National Trust land, which is open to the public, in the West Country. On one occasion, a National Trust vehicle passed along a restricted byway as hunt vehicles were driven illegally in the opposite direction but there was no intervention. The evidence shows that National Trust estate staff may be aware of what goes on but take no action to stop it happening

The League has sought on repeated occasions to contact the National Trust to convey its grave concerns and to share examples of the evidence in our possession. The League’s most recent efforts date back to 13th September when we contacted their offices directly. The League was able to secure a meeting at the National Trust’s London offices in Grosvenor Gardens, on March 1st.

At the meeting, having heard that the National Trust has insufficient resources to monitor licenced or unlicenced hunting activity on its land, the League offered to support the National Trust by providing monitors, and by providing training to National Trust estate managers (similar to that which the League provides on the national Police Wildlife Crime Officer training course and for several police forces). Regrettably, the National Trust declined these offers. However, it did agree to discuss the evidence presented by the League with regional managers and to consider whether any other action could be taken.

The League believes that the evidence clearly shows that hunting activities on National Trust land are cruel, illegal, unauthorised, dangerous to the public, as well as damaging to Sites of Scientific Interest and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We await the outcome of the National Trust’s discussions following our meeting. The League very much hopes that the National Trust will take responsibility for hunting activity on its estates and do all it can to ensure that the law is upheld. Should the National Trust’s response fall short, we will consult with our members and partners on our response.