Ledbury Hunt caught at blocked badger sett

This morning hunt saboteurs, from the Three Counties and Coventry groups, witnessed the Ledbury Hunt chase a fox down an active badger sett that had had most of its entrances blocked by hunt staff.

The hunt had met at Redmarley, Gloucestershire, and were clearly observed to be illegally cub hunting. They had already chased an adult fox and only the intervention of saboteurs had enabled the animal to escape. They then chased a second fox and a saboteur filmed the hounds follow it to an active badger sett. All but one of the entrances had been blocked with logs and soil and fresh spade marks could be seen where the sett had been disturbed. When they realised they were being monitored the hunt staff quickly removed their hounds from the scene.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “At a time when badgers are such a hot topic, particularly in Gloucestershire, it is incredible to witness the arrogance of the hunting community. They not only illegally chase foxes but are also illegally interfering with badger setts. With the increased public interest in these issues due to the imminent badger cull, which has led to an influx of new members, we look forward to being able to gather more evidence of illegal hunting and save more persecuted wild life.”

Surrey Union Hounds hit by car during illegal hunt.

Four hounds, from the Surrey Union Hunt, were hit by a car this morning
on a road between Newdigate and Charlwood.  The female driver had no
chance to avoid the hounds as they ran straight out in front of her
car.  One hound went under her car and was taken away by the hunt. We
have no confirmation, as yet, whether it's alive or dead.  The woman's
vehicle was covered in blood after the incident and a van had to swerve
of the road, into a hedge, to avoid the hounds, sustaining minor damage.
No hunt saboteurs were in the area during this incident but were
contacted by a concerned witness.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated:  "If
the Surrey Union were following an artificial trail, as they claim, then
what were their hounds doing near a road during the morning rush hour?
We believe their hounds must've been hunting a wild animal, in
contravention of the 2004 Hunting Act.  This is not an accident, as the
hunt will no doubt claim, but another example of hunts flouting the law
and putting their hounds, wild animals and motorists at risk."

Since September‭ ‬2011,‭ ‬hundreds of‭ ‬acres of land are known to have been made out of bounds to bloodsports,‭ ‬affecting dozens of Hunts nationwide.‭ ‬In reality the figure could be much higher because‭ ‬we have‭ ‬no system for monitoring Warning Off emails and letters sent by individuals.‭ ‬Hounds Off encourages autonomous‭ ‬action.‭ ‬We deliberately make no demands regarding feedback or membership.

Following‭ ‬26‭ ‬complaints regarding Hunt trespass during the season‭ ‬2011/12,‭ ‬Hounds Off offered practical advice and support in warning Hunts off land in twelve different counties,‭ ‬including:

• 170‎ ‏acres lost to North Ledbury Hunt after alpacas were attacked by hounds.
• East Studdal,‭ ‬near Dover,‭ ‬forbidden to West Street Tickham Hunt following a hunt invasion and fox killing in the village.
• At least seven‭ ‬Dorset‭ ‬properties banned to Portman‭ ‬Hunt in weekend of action,‭ ‬22/23‭ ‬October.
• Securing hunt-free zone status for‭ ‬a Yorkshire‭ ‬property where‭ ‬the family cat was killed in December following trespass by Staintondale Hunt.
• 15‎ ‏Kentish‭ ‬acres‭ ‬forbidden to Ashford Valley Hunt including woodland inhabited by foxes.
• Over‭ ‬300‭ ‬acres in Somerset and Dorset confirmed as Hunt-free,‭ ‬affecting at least two foxhunts there.
• Confirming the hunt-free status a‭ ‬227‭ ‬acre woodland Nature Reserve in Dorset following hunt trespass in November.

Leaflets and cards promoting the work of‭ ‬Hounds Off are available direct via the website or from the‭ ‬HSA.‭ ‬They‭’‬re perfect for keeping in your vehicle and handing to sympathetic or‭ ‬beleaguered‭ ‬landowners whilst you‭’‬re out in‭ ‬the field.

Hounds Off is supported by individuals and organisations from across the campaigning and political spectrum.‭

Hounds Off‭ ‬encourages the creation of hunt-free‭ ‬sanctuaries‭ ‬to stop the illegal hunting of wild animals with dogs in Britain via engagement with our website,‭ ‬www.houndsoff.co.uk‭‬.‭ ‬By following the simple process explained‭ ‬here,‭ ‬involving Warning Off notices being sent to the hunters,‭ ‬Hounds Off is spearheading a campaign which invites everyone to join in regardless of who you are or where you live.

Please‭ ‬visit‭ ‬our website.‭ ‬Take action.‭ ‬Tell your family and friends to do the same.‭ ‬Support‭ ‬the Hunting Ban.‭ ‬Support‭ ‬Hounds Off.‭ ‬Be part of the people‭’‬s campaign against bloodsports.

Hounds Off,‭ ‬September‭ ‬2012