Appeal starts for first huntsman convicted under Hunting Act

The first huntsman to be prosecuted under the Hunting Act 2004 appeared in court yesterday to appeal his conviction.

Tony Wright, huntsman of the Exmoor Foxhounds, appeared in Exeter Crown Court for the first day of his appeal. Like the Quantock Staghounds case last month, Tony Wright’s appeal hinges on the exemption of flushing a fox using two hounds.

He was convicted by Barnstable Magistrates Court in August 2006 of hunting a wild mammal with dogs, in a prosecution brought privately by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS).

The Barnstable judge’s ruling was based on video evidence filmed by LACS on 29 April 2005.

Tony Wright’s Exeter Crown Court hearing is likely to last until Thursday, with a reserved judgement expected.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now