Latest from Horse & Hound in Anti-hunt

Campaign against ‘intimidating’ masked animal rights activists builds momentum

Sophia Heath — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:55:08 +0000

An e-campaign by the Countryside Alliance (CA) to highlight the issue of masked animal rights activists has resulted in more than 8,000 people writing to their local police crime commissioners (PCC).

The two-week drive came after several incidents — including one violent — with anti-hunting campaigners.

Last month (24 January) joint-master and huntsman Mike Lane was left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth.

The CA has thanked the people that took part and sent letters to their PCC.

“Their support has made this a very successful campaign and shows the strength of feeling the countryside has about saboteur violence,” said the CA’s Tim Bonner.

The CA has had 20 responses from PCCs across the country as a result of the letters.

Anthony Stansfeld, PCC for Thames Valley Police, said he was concerned by any “intimidation in the countryside”.

“I agree that the wearing of balaclavas and facemasks, allied with paramilitary style clothing, is clearly intended to intimidate as well as hide the identity of violent protestors,” he added.

Martin Surl, PCC for Gloucestershire said: “I have concerns about the wearing of balaclavas and facemasks in the countryside and have already made public my support for a change in the law.”

However, some of the PCC’s responses have been less positive. More than 700 people from Sussex wrote to their PCC, but the written reply did not touch on the issue.

“The response from the PCCs has been mixed, with some taking the issue very seriously and others seemingly not interested,” Mr Bonner added.

“We shall be following up the issue with the police forces involved and it is clear that we need to work with them and the next government to ensure the legislation surrounding face coverings is fit for purpose.”

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Police investigate clash between hunt and saboteurs that left huntsman unconscious

Polly Portwin — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 15:55:10 +0000

A huntsman has been left with two fractured teeth and concussion following a clash between hunt saboteurs and members of the Tedworth Hunt on Saturday (24 January).

Joint-master and huntsman Mike Lane (not pictured), who suffered severe concussion, claims he was kicked in the head by saboteurs when hounds were boxing up at the end of the day near Everley in Wiltshire.

There were reportedly around six hunt saboteurs present at the time of the incident. Anti-hunt protestors wearing balaclavas and face masks, in two vehicles that have been reported to be associated with Bristol and Southampton hunt saboteur groups, had been present all day. One saboteur allegedly spat at Mr Lane and it is reported that they had attempted to pull him from his horse earlier in the day when the huntsman requested that the saboteurs refrained from spraying the hounds with an unknown liquid substance.

During the incident, where hunt supporters requested the saboteurs leave the property because hounds were going home, Mr Lane slipped over and was kicked while laying on the ground. He was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called. He was treated at a local hospital.

“We were legally trail-hunting and the saboteurs had been following us all day,” a hunt spokesman said.

“At the end of the day, there was an incident where our huntsman fell to the ground and was kicked in the head and as a result he is suffering from concussion and will be unable to hunt hounds this week.

“We believe they were carrying metal bars attached to ropes and chains.”

A passing member of the public with no connection to the hunt is understood to have recorded the incident on a mobile phone camera and a police investigation is ongoing.

The hunt regularly experiences attention from anti-hunt protestors, however, the spokesman for the hunt added: “There was a definite feeling of an increased level of hostility towards us and the behaviour was more threatening than usual. We hope the police will be able to find those responsible for this injury.”

Charges against Devon and Somerset Staghounds dropped

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:55:15 +0000

Charges against a West Country hunt have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The charges related to alleged incidents of hunting with dogs against the huntsman and two joint-masters of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds.

Donald Summersgill, Rupert Andrews MSH and David Greenwood MSH faced a total of four charges relating to alleged incidents on 14 September and 24 October 2013.

Avon and Somerset CPS brought the charges based on unauthorised covert surveillance evidence supplied by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), however the defendants solicitors were advised last Thursday (13 November) that the charges had been dropped.

A previous prosecution involving Mr Summersgill and other Devon and Somerset Staghounds members collapsed before trial in 2009.

“This case has always been fundamentally flawed and the decision to bring charges was very difficult to understand,” said Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance.

“Avon and Somerset CPS have brought three prosecutions based on LACS covert surveillance in the past two years and all three have now failed.

“It has taken far too long, but at least now the CPS has finally stood up to the inappropriate pressure being exerted by animal rights organisations and saved the taxpayer the cost of a lengthy and pointless trial.

“The Devon and Somerset Staghounds have continued to research and manage the deer of Exmoor since the Hunting Act came into force nearly 10 years ago. After this second failed prosecution against them it is time for everyone to accept that their activities are entirely legal.”

Earlier this year charges against two other hunts were dropped.

Charges under the Protection of Badgers Act against three men connected to the York & Ainsty South Hunt were dropped on 8 September.

The case, brought by the CPS, followed on from an allegation made by hunt saboteurs that the accused were interfering with an active badger sett during a meet at Escrick Park, near Selby, North Yorks on 28 December 2013.

The same month the CPS confirmed that all charges relating to members of the Melbreak Hunt — including their huntsman Edward Liddle — were also dropped following an offence that allegedly took place under the Hunting Act and Dangerous Dog Act in Buttermere, Cumbria on 9 March.

Anti-hunt campaigner found guilty of assault and harassment

Sophia Heath — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:55:59 +0000

An anti-hunt campaigner has been found guilty of assaulting and harassing a hunt’s countryman after she witnessed him shooting a fox in January.

Judith Hewitt, 67, from North Wales, reportedly became “absolutely hysterical” and started hitting Robert Smith on the back after he legally killed the fox in his role as a licensed vermin control officer.

Llandudno Court heard last Friday (24 October) how Hewitt, who denied the charges, had recorded the confrontation and put an edited version of the incident on YouTube.

Mr Smith, who has been a countryman for seven years, told the court he had been controlling a fox that was harming pheasants on the Plas Newydd estate at Trefnant on 28 January.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She ran up the bank and was screaming and shouting, calling us devils and tried to take the fox off me.”

A separate harassment charge alleged she trespassed on land and obstructed Mr Smith as he went about his work, posted offensive items on the internet and allowed offensive material to remain on websites.

The judge found her guilty of both charges against her and she has been bailed for a pre-sentence report.

Hewitt’s QC John Cooper has objected to a restraining order sought by the prosecution banning her from private land in Denbighshire during meets of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt.

Tim Bonner from the Countryside Alliance said: “Robert Smith was undertaking important, and completely legal, wildlife management work for the landowner.

“It is outrageous that he should have been harassed by Ms Hewitt in this way while going about his job.

“This case shows how important it is that hunts take action over harassment from activists.

“If hunts help themselves by collecting evidence and are willing to make a statement we can support their complaints.”

Organic food business bans hunting on its land

Sophia Heath — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:59:25 +0000

An organic farm has stopped a hunt using land where it grows some of its vegetables after pressure from anti-hunting protestors.

Riverford Organic Farm started receiving abuse on social media earlier this month for reportedly supporting the South Devon Hunt.

Owner Guy Watson tried to clarify the situation explaining that the hunt were not allowed on land owned by Riverford Organics but that his sister Louise Watson — who is a master of the South Devon — allowed them on her land.

Riverford Organics rents some land from Miss Watson to grow vegetables and also uses milk from her farm.

A petition that was set up to boycott the company — which provides more than 47,000 boxes of vegetables to homes around the UK each week — received nearly 5,000 signatures in less than 48-hours.

Mr Watson initially maintained that it was up his sister what she allowed to happen on her land.

However, a spokesman from the company has now told H&H that the “hunt will no longer be permitted to cross any Riverford land, owed or rented by the Watson family”.

“We know we have lost some customers and are very sad about this, but we’ve looked at our statistics over the past couple of weeks and overall sales have been unaffected,” Mr Watson added in a statement.

“It’s been a really difficult — and at times frustrating — situation as lots of inaccuracies have been shared about us as a business despite the fact that we have spent the last 30 years striving to be as ethical as possible.”

Organic food business victim of anti-hunt abuse

Sophia Heath — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 10:55:09 +0000

An organic food company has received abuse on social media for appearing to support its local hunt.

Guy Watson, who owns Riverford Organic Farms, has been subject to criticism on Facebook and Twitter. His sister Louise is a joint-master of the South Devon.

The hunt is allowed to ride across her land but not the parts owned by Mr Watson or Riverford Organic Farms. His sister Louise’s business sponsored the South Devon Hunter Trial.

Customers took to social media to complain about the connection with some calling for a “boycott” on the business.

“My latest order will be my very last because I refuse to purchase something that will financial support a hunter,” said one client.

“Have just cancelled my regular orders and this is one very angry customer,” added another.

Mr Watson released a statement to try and explain the position.

“I do not hunt, never have,” Guy said.

“My family is made up of individuals who agree on most things and disagree on a few. My sister Louise, who I love dearly, rides and hunts. I don’t agree with her but I tolerate her position.

As a result of the statement some customers have rallied to the defense of the company.

“Get off your ‘high horses’ everyone and look at your own lives before condemning a respectable farmer,” said Wendy Woo.

“To hold you and Riverford accountable for the actions of others is bordering on the obsessive and scary,” Keili Lawrence added.

Two hunts have legal proceedings dropped

Polly Portwin — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:55:41 +0000

Three hunts have been facing legal proceedings in the past month, although two cases have been dropped and the other has been adjourned.

Tom Holt, joint-master of the Middleton Hunt, appeared before Scarborough Magistrates on 3 September, charged with an offence under the Hunting Act 2004.

The 28-year-old is accused of hunting a wild mammal with dogs in West Knapton, near Malton on 19 February.

Mr Holt pleaded not guilty and the case has been adjourned until 25 September.

Meanwhile, charges under the Protection of Badgers Act against three men connected to the York & Ainsty South Hunt were dropped on 8 September.

The case, brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), follows on from an allegation made by hunt saboteurs that the accused were interfering with an active badger sett during a meet at Escrick Park, near Selby, North Yorks on 28 December 2013.

“This case was based on completely spurious allegations made by animal rights activists, but there was no credible evidence that the sett was being used by anything other than foxes,” said the Countryside Alliance’s Tim Bonner.

“The three men were carrying out legal hunting within the terms of the Hunting Act.”

The CPS has also confirmed that all charges relating to members of the Melbreak Hunt — including their huntsman Edward Liddle — have also been dropped following an offence that allegedly took place under the Hunting Act and Dangerous Dog Act in Buttermere, Cumbria on 9 March.

Tim Bonner said: “Mr Liddle and the Melbreak cooperated fully with the police inquiries from the start and there was never any evidence that Mr Liddle had been in breach of either act, therefore we were surprised when Cumbria Constabulary chose to pursue their inquiries. It was even more inexplicable when the CPS then chose to bring charges against Mr Liddle.

“There was no chance that the case could ever have proceeded to a conviction and all it has achieved is a waste of police and court time and tax-payers’ money, and has put Mr Liddle through a completely unnecessary process.

“The Melbreak has operated within the law since the Hunting Act came into force and has huge support from the local community. We are very confident that their activities are entirely legitimate.”

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 18 September 2014

Woman charged over conflict with hunt

Horse & Hound — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:00:37 +0000

An anti-hunting activist has been charged with aggravated trespass, assault and harassment of a North Wales hunt employee.

The charges relate to an incident on 28 January and footage that Chester-based Judi Hewitt took and posted online of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt’s countryman Rob Smith using a terrier to flush a fox from underground to a waiting gun, in accordance with the Hunting Act. No date has yet been set for the court case and Ms Hewitt has not entered a plea.

Joint-master of the Flint and Denbigh hunt Jeremy Reed said: “Rob was keeping to the letter of the law and had the full permission of the landowner. We understand that people do oppose fox management but we believe Ms Hewitt went too far.”

Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance added: “It is important that hunts realise that they can take action over harassment from activists. If hunts help themselves by collecting evidence and are willing to make a statement we can support their complaints.”

This story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (31 July, 2014)

Antis must uncover their faces to protect hunt followers

Horse & Hound — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:36 +0000

Police are being urged to enforce laws stripping protestors of balaclavas, in a bid to help protect hunt followers.

Countryside Alliance chairman Sir Barney White-Spunner has written to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), following serious assaults at a Badsworth and Bramham Moor meet and the High Peak kennels.

“We at the Countryside Alliance are increasingly concerned about attacks on hunt supporters and staff by people wearing balaclavas and face coverings to avoid detection,” said Sir Barney in his letter to ACPO president, Sir Hugh Orde.

“We ask you please to write to police forces across the country, reminding officers of their powers under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 [the power to remove disguises].”

In October last year, Badsworth and Bramham Moor hunt supporter and landowner Charles Warde-Aldam was repeatedly hit on the head with a heavy torch.

Although the assault was filmed, his attackers were wearing masks and therefore could not be identified.

In a similar attack, two masked assailants clubbed and kicked High Peak huntsman Nigel Cox at his kennels in December.

No one has been charged over either incident.

There is currently a discrepancy in different parts of the country as to how the police enforce Section 60AA. Crawley and Horsham senior master Antony Sandeman told H&H he believes Sussex is “a soft target”, drawing sabs in balaclavas from many areas because they know the police will not challenge them.

“Surrey Police [the neighbouring force] do enforce Section 60, but Sussex won’t unless there’s a direct threat of violence,” said Mr Sandeman.

“I hope this letter will do some good, but I feel like we’re banging our heads against a brick wall. It’s all down to the chief constable, and if he doesn’t want to enforce it we’ve got no chance.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (9 May 2013)

‘Harassment’ story prompts outraged comments from antis

Charlotte White — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:31:13 +0000

A teenage girl’s complaints about harassment by masked “hunt monitors” have caused a storm of vitriol on a local newspaper website.

Kitty Gibson, 18, who has hunted with the Crawley and Horsham for seven seasons, wrote a piece detailing intimidation by antis towards children and adults for the Horsham District Post.

She described the meet on 5 January, when 30 masked saboteurs were aggressive and disruptive throughout the day. They blocked a jump the field was trying to negotiate.

“If a masked gang carrying sticks, blowing horns and shouting abuse was to rampage through Horsham town centre, there would be outrage,” Kitty pointed out.

“When the same thing happens in a field near Shipley, why then is it seemingly tolerated and ignored?”

But her piece, which was published in the paper and online, prompted outraged comments from antis on the paper’s website and angry replies in support of Kitty.

Matthew Wheeler, of The Post, told H&H: “We received an unprecedented and unmanageable level of comments online, which became increasingly offensive.

“We cannot allow our site to become a forum on which various parties write hateful comments or express their dislike for one another.”

A number of violent attacks have recently been made upon hunts in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire (news, 17 January).

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (31 January, 2013)

Hunts warned to be diligent this season

Flora Watkins — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:11:14 +0000

The Hunting Office is reiterating its message that there will be more covert surveillance by antis this season – so hunts must diligently record evidence of their legal activities.

Stephen Lambert, chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), told H&H that his colleagues had been working with hunts across the country to ensure “that it becomes second nature to file evidence of trail laying or hunting within the exemptions of the Hunting Act”.

Private prosecutions by animal charities this year have seen members of the Meynell and the Crawley and Horsham convicted of unlawful hunting.

A case brought by the RSPCA against the Heythrop is due to be heard in December.

And the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) has hired eight new investigators since last season, many of whom are former police officers.

“Hunts are taking this very seriously and we are pleased they have accepted that they must be able to defend everything they do and keep a log of their legal activity,” said Mr Lambert.

“We must be absolutely punctilious about this and have our ducks in a row.”

Mr Lambert’s warning was echoed by Tim Bonner, campaigns director at the Countryside Alliance.

“LACS’ strategy is covert surveillance, which would mean that in most instances, hunts would not even be aware that they were being filmed.

“The threat of spurious allegations from such a biased source is obvious,” he added.

Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent huntsman Mark Bycroft said evidence gathering was not an onerous task.

“It is just like extra paperwork – you get used to it,” he told H&H.

“We have three teams of trail layers and each one has a camera. At the end of the day you take the memory card out of the camera and put it onto the computer – so you’ve got the evidence in case of any problem.”

Mr Bycroft stressed that this approach was essential to safeguard the future

of hunting.

“There’s a small minority who will try everything to get you into court,” he said.

“If the case for repeal is presented to the government and more hunts have been up for illegal hunting, then it may not happen,” he added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (11 October 2012)

LACS chief spinner arrested over expenses fraud

Flora Watkins — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:31:35 +0000

A leading anti has been arrested by police on suspicion of fraud.

Steve Taylor, 35, was sacked last Tuesday (15 November) by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) for gross misconduct.

The former head of campaigns and communications at LACS was dismissed following a disciplinary investigation concerning his expenses claims.

Mr Taylor was arrested on Monday (21 November) and released on bail until 10 January.

Surrey Police said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after we received concerns regarding financial irregularities at an organization based in Waverley.”

For a full report, see Horse & Hound, out this Thursday (24 November)

Unguarded talk from hunt supporters could help League

Flora Watkins — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:38:37 +0000

Unguarded talk and gossip from hunt supporters is providing antis with vital intelligence, the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) has said.

The League told H&H it is receiving up to 10% of its information from people either within hunts or close to them.

Steve Taylor from LACS said he was “amazed” at how forthcoming hunt supporters could be.

“A great deal of information comes from what you might call ‘unusual’ sources,” he said.

“We get a lot of good tip-offs from people within hunts. It’s stuff they don’t realise is useful to us – ‘we meet every Wednesday in one of these three places at this time’ – that sort of thing.

“Ten years ago you’d get 10 times the number of meets advertised in Horse & Hound. You don’t get that now, and hunts don’t tend to publicise meets on their websites.”

He said that LACS also gleans information from social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook – and from online forums.

H&H reported last month that LACS is intending to increase its activities this season (news, 15 September) and has recruited a former Special Branch police officer to lead its intelligence section. LACS said the work will include infiltration of hunts.

Mr Taylor also said LACS would publish the findings of a “major investigation” at the end of the month – with help from hunt supporters.

“Most of the intelligence we worked from came from people within or close to hunts,” he said.

So should hunt followers be wary of loose talk?

Tim Bonner of the Hunting Office says he has no problem with hunts publicising their activities and meets.

“It is a difficult judgement,” he told H&H. “The antis would love to drive us underground, but we are out and proud.

“Hunts are working within the law and are perfectly entitled to publicise meets.

“We wouldn’t suggest that people should hide.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (13 October, 2011)

Antis threaten to up their game during the hunting season

Horse & Hound — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:06:36 +0000

“We’ve more people on the ground, our biggest investigations team ever and better links with the police, so be careful.”

That’s the warning from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), which has told H&H it is ‘upping the ante’ with its monitoring activities this season.

New chairman Joe Duckworth has declared that his focus will be very much on ‘pushing for prosecutions for hunting offences’.

To this end, LACS says it has taken on more personnel — including a former Special Branch officer to head up its intelligence department — and invested in a new database and monitoring equipment.

It is also building up a £1.5m fund for when the vote on repeal comes.

But Tim Bonner from the Hunting Office dismisses the claims as ‘bravado’.

He said: “The bottom line is that for all this effort and all their talk, it’s unlikely that LACS will achieve a single prosecution from the 2010-11 season.”

Two hunts currently face separate prosecutions under the Hunting Act.

And Mr Bonner says levels of activity by monitors and saboteurs are still way down from their heyday in the 1980s.

“It’s now a very small rump,” he said. “On an average Saturday, there’ll be 40 to 60 out around the country, whereas 20 years ago, a single hunt could get more than 100.”

But he cautions that hunts must still know the law ‘inside and out’.

There is some anecdotal evidence that anti activity is creeping up.

H&H’s hunting editor Catherine Austen said: “I was surprised to see them out at 6am recently and more of them than usual.”

Mark Sprake, who is joint-master of the Surrey Union, said that while antis haven’t troubled them this season, he has noticed their numbers increasing.

“They quietened down immediately after the ban,” he told H&H. “But they have gradually come back over the past couple of seasons. It’s the same old faces.”

For Michael Thompson, master of the Blencathra, it’s a different story.

He says the level of attention the ‘John Peel hunt’ has attracted has been “consistently bad the whole way through”.

“You have got to be professional at all times,” he said. “You are only as good as your last game. We act as if they are there all the time.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (15 September, 2011)

Anti-groups merge to fight repeal of the Hunting Act

Charlotte White — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:12:45 +0000

The UK’s three largest animal welfare groups have come together in a “loose coalition” to fight repeal of the Hunting Act.

The RSPCA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) released a statement saying: “Repeal… would be a backward step for a civilised society.”

They plan to lobby MPs asking them to vote against overturning the Hunting Act.

But Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance commented: “The animal rights groups seem to be getting very excited about the prospect of a free vote, but hunting is in a very different position.

“Hunting is a minority issue and the government has bigger concerns at present.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (22 July, ’10)

Hunts warned to avoid conflict with monitors

Charlotte White — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:07:29 +0000

UK hunts are being warned to avoid confrontations with antis this season after concerns that “hunt monitors” are trying to bait followers.

In a letter sent to packs last month, Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) chairman Stephen Lambert said: “Their [the monitors’] prime objective is, without doubt, to inflame our supporters and trigger a serious public order incident in which hunting people will be shown as the aggressors.”

For the first time since November 2005, no hunt is facing prosecution under the Hunting Act, and repeal looks increasingly possible.

Antis, therefore, are exploring other ways to win back the support they have lost since the Act came into force, says the MFHA.

The Heythrop and Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks (VAGSB) has experienced an increase in activity by monitors, including Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA) members Penny Little and Peter Bunce, in the past few weeks.

Guy Portwin, senior master of the VAGSB, said: “The hunt has been targeted by local monitors about six times so far this season. Several complaints have been made to police by the hunt, including concerning the filming of children.

“We have stressed to followers the need for restraint, no matter how provoked anyone feels, and are pleased to report that followers are filming the monitors, making complaints to the police and avoiding interaction.”

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has written to the chief constables of Thames Valley Police and Gloucestershire Police pointing out the antis are pursuing a clear strategy

of incitement.

Mr Lambert told H&H: “The antis of this world are desperate. They lost the moral and wildlife management arguments ages ago. Now they see that their only hope of wrecking repeal is to provoke a disastrous public order incident that they will try to pin on the hunting world.

“I am optimistic that the police are now beginning to grasp the picture and will play their part as much as they can to ensure that the next few months pass without incident.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (8 October, 2009)

League Against Cruel Sports wants hunt details from National Trust

Charlotte White — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:35:52 +0000

Anti-hunt campaigners the League Against Cruel Sport (LACS) wants the National Trust to publish the times and dates when hunts will be trail hunting on their properties, to help LACS’ self-styled “monitors”.

But the National Trust has rejected the request as “unworkable”.

Now LACS has tabled a motion to the National Trust’s annual meeting on 7 November.

LACS chief executive Douglas Batchelor told H&H: “We don’t think there is any reason why this information should not be in the public domain.

“Other big land-owners like the MoD manage to do it.”

He said the move would help his activists “monitor” hunts. LACS has a policy of using video cameras in a bid to gain evidence of law-breaking.

National Trust spokesman Andrew McLaughlin said: “The resolution refers to sporting activities, not hunting explicitly.

“The logistics of listing every activity on National Trust land are unworkable. The trustees have recommended the resolution be rejected on the practicalities of carrying it out.”

Director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association Alastair Jackson said: “The National Trust wants to be transparent and helpful to the public, but what LACS has asked for isn’t practical or reasonable.”

When granting hunts a licence, the National Trust asks them to provide a contact so that any public queries can be passed back to the hunt.

“The Trust is very helpful when liaising with us, and always has been,” added Mr Jackson.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (1 October, ’09)

‘Hunt monitors’ made redundant by IFAW

Horse & Hound — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Hunts have greeted the redundancy of two of Britain’s most fanatical anti-hunt campaigners with caution.

Full-time “hunt monitors” Kevin Hill and Peter White have lost their jobs with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in what the charity’s spokesman Clare Sterling calls a round of “global cuts due to the recession”.

The Countryside Alliance (CA) said the redundancies prove IFAW is backing away from the Hunting Act.

“When the organisation that lobbied for a law appears to be disowning it, it’s a clear sign the law is not working,” said spokesman Jill Grieve.

But hunts in the duo’s firing line — across the south-west — were more reserved.

Exmoor Foxhounds huntsman Tony Wright believes the pair will keep monitoring.

He said: “The fact that their funding has been cut will mean nothing — I think they’ll redouble their efforts to prove IFAW wrong.”

Cattistock joint-master Fiona Vigar agreed, adding: “Our members have felt threatened and upset by their constant videoing, so while their redundancy can only be a relief, I don’t think it will stop them”.

Hill and White worked for the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), before starting with IFAW in 1998, shortly after the two organisations formed an anti-hunting coalition with the RSPCA.

They provided evidence in two high-profile cases against hunts — the Heythrop and the Devon and Somerset Staghounds — both of which failed in the courts.

Former LACS chief executive Jim Barrington, who now heads the All Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group, suggested the redundancies mean IFAW is seeing the “writing on the wall” after a High Court clarification rendered the Hunting Act unworkable (news, 12 February).

“Perhaps it means they are starting to understand,” he said.

But Ms Sterling said IFAW remains “as committed as ever” to enforcing the Act.

“We still have our hunt campaigner and are still working on cases,” she said, adding: “We’re planning to take them back on a contractual basis for the new season, but haven’t finalised the details.”

Kevin Hill told the Western Daily Press: “If the hunting fraternity think they’ve seen the last of us, they are mistaken.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 August, ’09)

IFAW advertises for people to spy on hunts

Horse & Hound — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:18:15 +0000

AN anti-hunting organisation has placed prominent adverts in newspapers across the south-west calling on residents to contact police if they think they have seen hunts acting suspiciously.

The quarter-page adverts, inserted by the well-funded global company the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), feature a close-up of a fox cub, and declare: “He’s only a few months old, but already they could be baying for his blood.”

They continue: “The [IFAW] believes that a cruel and illegal activity could be taking place in your area. Some people may be training their hounds by setting them upon fox cubs.”

It suggests that people seeing “suspicious behaviour” should call the police.

The Countryside Alliance (CA) branded the campaign irresponsible and said it illustrated the increasing desperation of the anti-hunting lobby.

“There are often letter-writing campaigns at this time of year, but this is the first time we have heard of adverts of this nature,” said the CA’s Tim Bonner. “The worrying thing is they encourage people to waste police time.”

The advert has appeared in papers such as the Western Morning News and Bristol Evening Post, and can be seen on the IFAW website (www.ifaw.org). The website also carries a detailed guide on “how to identify signs of cubhunting”, and recommends that the public calls 999 if they witness a “wildlife crime”.

A spokesman from Devon and Somerset Police was unable to comment on the issue of wasting police time, but said: “If they are asking people to dial 999, that is a number for emergencies only, such as public safety issues.

“If someone is not in danger of being injured or assaulted, the call will be downgraded.”

Mr Bonner said there has been a high level of hunt monitor activity in the first few days of the autumn hunting season in Gloucestershire and the West Country.

“Hunt monitors have been very visible, waiting outside kennels, filming and so on.

“Combined with these adverts, it suggests there is an increasing desperation in the anti-hunting movement.

“They know the politics are against them and that the Hunting Act is on borrowed time,” he said, adding: “The balance of power is changing away from the League Against Cruel Sports [LACS] and towards IFAW, a limited company that raises a lot of its money on issues such as seal clubbing and saving the whale.”

Alison Hawes, the CA’s regional manager for the south-west, said four full-time, salaried LACS monitors operate in her area, where there are 47 hunts.

“We’re the most heavily monitored district in the country,” said Ms Hawes. “This year they want results.”

A spokesman for IFAW said: “We’re not asking people to waste police time, but trying to facilitate the gathering of useful information. We’d heard reports from our monitors of suspicious behaviour in relation to cubbing, which takes place early in the morning and often on private land.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (11 September, ’08)

Two-thirds of public believe Hunting Act is not a police priority

Horse & Hound — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:58:51 +0000

Two in three people in Britain believe police should not make policing the Hunting Act any more of a priority than it is now.

The poll, carried out by ORB for the Countryside Alliance (CA), reveals 65% of people believe that police should spend less or the same time policing the Hunting Act.

Only 26% of people surveyed believe police should spend more time with hunts.

CA chief executive Simon Hart said: “This poll proves what we have believed since the Hunting Act came into force: the general public simply do not view the Act as a police priority.”

He added: “Hunts are working with the police and telling them when and where they will meet. This is hardly sensible preparation for law-breaking.”

Last weekend, as the hunting season began in earnest across Britain, 1011 respondents were asked:

Since the Hunting Act came into force, anti-hunt groups feel that the law is not being properly enforced by police. Do you think the Police should spend more, less or the same amount of time as they currently do policing the Act?

29% said less time
36% said the same time
26% said more time