Will 2010 see an end to the hunting ban?
HUNDREDS gathered across North Devon to watch the annual Boxing Day Hunts — which hunt supporters hope could be the last of their kind under the legislation which outlawed the sport.
Fans of hunting are hoping a new government will repeal the Hunting Act, which came into force in 2004, banning traditional fox hunting methods.
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TRADITION: Members of the public pet the hounds at Torrington Farmers' Hunt Boxing Day Meet in the Square in Torrington. On horseback are Huntsman David Parker and Hunt Master Ken Ford. Photo: Ian Snell 0912_016_009
The Act instead allows "exempt hunting" — using a pair of hounds to flush a fox to guns. Hunts are also allowed to use their packs to follow a trail.
If the Conservative Party win the general election, which has to take place before May 2010, David Cameron has said he will offer a free vote in government time for repeal of the ban.
Tod Marshman, chairman of the Torrington Farmers' Hunt, said he believed 100% of the hunt's members would like to see the ban lifted.
He said: "Because the Hunting Act is not well drafted nobody knows with great clarity where the law stands.
"Hounds follow their instincts rather than what they are told. If they smell something exciting they are away and getting them back can be very difficult.
"Although we lay trails we always worry there will be an accident and a repeal in the law would remove this worry.
"If something goes wrong you don't want to break the law, but sticking with it can be tricky when you're relying on natural instincts and elements."
Alan Briggs, of Bideford, is a member of the League Against Cruel Sports and admits the Act has "loose ends", but feels it has had an effect.
He said: "We are concerned about the possibility of the Act being repealed, but we're going to fight this as hard as we can and I hope the ban will continue.
"I just can't understand why people want to do this (hunt) and hurt animals."
But the RSPCA believes the Act, which will be five years old in February, is working well.
John Rolls, RSPCA director of Animal Welfare Promotion, said 48 people were found guilty of offences under the Hunting Act in 2007.
Mr Rolls said: "Hunting wild animals to a cruel and pointless death for sport is no longer tolerated by modern Britain — thankfully it is now an enforceable crime."
Hunting's popularity has grown since the Act came into force according to local hunt meets.
Mr Marshman added: "Hunting is more popular than ever. We have had more people at the Boxing Day Hunt than we did 10 years ago.
"It is an illogical thing — the sport becomes an endangered species so everybody wants to see it."
Tony Wright, of the Exmoor Foxhounds, was the first huntsman to be prosecuted under the Act, but his conviction was overturned by the High Court earlier this year.
Boxing Day Hunts took place in Torrington and the Tetcott Hunt met in Holsworthy Square on Boxing Day and will be outside The Tree Inn in Stratton on New Year's Day.
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by Sally, Barnstaple
Saturday, February 06 2010, 1:18AM
“Tony,
Then I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I don't think either of us will ever convince the other. I confess I will never come around to your way of thinking. My gut feeling is that hunting is cruel. Personally, I could not bring myself to chase an animal for hours and then watch or be aware that it is being torn apart. I guess I am just one of those silly people who think it would be rather lovely if everything and everyone could exist in harmony!”
by Tony, Exmoor
Friday, February 05 2010, 3:04PM
“Sally, in my case, this whole business of hunting and anti-hunting is not really a question of 'belief'. I know the Alliance site is, more or less, 'true'. I have had first hand experience of what happens out hunting - or rather did happen when it was legal. So in my case I am merely weighing what I know to be true against what I know is false.”
by Sally, Barnstaple
Thursday, February 04 2010, 8:18PM
“Tony,
When I visit the Alliance site I feel it is utter 'tosh' same as you seem to feel that any site I mention that is against hunting consists of. Why should I believe the view of the Alliance against the views of many anti-hunting sites? You seem to believe the Alliance against all others and I obviously believe the complete opposite.
As for shooting pigeons, yes I am against it. I am against people who breed pheasants for shooting, especially when they end up splattered all over the link road. So sorry to disappoint you but I am against shooting, hunting, seal culling, bullfighting, hare coursing, badger baiting, etc.
One thing I am for is capital punishment for child murderers!
If you hunt not for the kill but for the hounds, social interaction and countryside, can you not go drag hunting instead?”
by Tony, Exmoor
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 7:38PM
“Sally, -not sure about the comment that cats are the only creature, apart from man. which 'kills for fun'. I wonder how you know that a fox in a chicken run only kills more than it can eat so it can come back for a snack later?! Did it answer a questionnaire? Dogs , I suggest 'kill for fun' by your definition. So do stoats and weasels, mink, et al.
Fox and deer hunting, of course, is NOT about 'killing for fun'. i get pleasure in the way the hounds work, the beauty of the countryside, my horse's performance, social interaction with fellow riders, and so on. Yes, (in the days of proper hunting) a fox might, or might not be killed, but the chances were that no-one would witness it, since contrary to the silly stories the anti hunting organisations put about, it is the hounds, not the riders who kill the fox! If I wanted to see animals killed, I could visit a slaughterhouse - but I do not!
Funnily enough I dislike cats intensely - mainly because they kill garden birds indiscriminately, which we feed.
I do wonder, though, how you can visit the Alliance site and yet still believe all the tosh you read on the multi sites created by the extremists- and what about pigeon shooters? Is it wrong that they enjoy killing pigeons?”
by Sally, Barnstaple
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 6:13PM
“Tony, Strange that you should mention cats. They are the one animal that I detest, although I still cannot bring my self to kill them. They are the only creature apart from man that kills for the fun of it. (The adage that foxes kill 6 chickens and only take one has been shown to be a fallacy. If given time the fox returns for the other chickens and buries them for later). I have a fishpond and feed the birds as well as having pet rabbits and hens. Due to cats we have lost coutless fish, have had to replace the pond liner, had our plants dug up, garden fouled on, birds killed and just left, as well as our own pets frightened. Therefore, I am quite happy to campaign against cats running amok, although I would draw the line at chasing them and tearing them to shreds. A bucket of water or well aimed kick I totally agree with.
I assume that as you have now totally changed the subject that we were discussing that this means you have accepted that you are unable to prove your point that hunting is humane?”
by Tony, Exmoor
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 11:04AM
“Sally, domestic cats kill some 9 million songbirds per year; with real cruelty.Why not turn your attention to them.?”
by Sally, Barnstaple
Friday, January 29 2010, 9:50PM
“Tony,
Who are you to say how a fox feels?
One thing, at last you have finally admitted that you enjoy chasing and watching animals be torn to death.
Perhaps you don't fancy eating raw meat but you don't seem to mind the sight of a child being bloodied distasteful!
As I have already stated, I am against hunting and rather than see this current Act repealed I would much prefer a total ban. I am sure you hunting people can find other ways to enjoy yourselves.”
by Tony, Exmoor
Sunday, January 24 2010, 8:36PM
“Below; for 'meet' read 'meat' ;Freudian slip!”
by Tony, Exmoor
Sunday, January 24 2010, 3:44PM
“Sally, I wasn't going to bother BUT: I personally would not wish to be hunted and killed. But then I'm a human being, not a fox. I would not like to live in a hole in the ground, and eat raw meet and carrion. As a fox apparently has no pre-frontal cortex in its brain, it 'thinks' very differently to you and I. A fox is far more afraid and distressed to be caught alive and caged than he would be by being hunted. Give the animal kingdom some dignity and make allowances that they are not fluffy human beings in disguise. They live in a parallel but very different world to ours. Controlling wild populations is therefore not 'cruel and unnecessary' - it is humane and sensible. If we can both do good, as hunting does -and enjoy doing it, then that is surely a good thing.”
by Sally, Barnstaple
Saturday, January 23 2010, 1:22AM
“Tony, You also seem to have made up your mind. Every time I quote any article or research that has been carried out that states hunting is cruel you totally refute it. I am in no way confused by your argument just totally amazed.
You will never, ever convince me that chasing an animal until it is exhausted and then ripping it to shreds is not cruel.
If you were chased by a gang of hoodlums who then proceeded to tear you apart would you not find that terrifying, rather painful and a cruel act?
I can assure you that I think totally independently. As stated previously, I have abhorred hunting and cruelty since I was a young child and that was my own thinking. I have met people over the years of similar mind to myself but also others who feel as you do. I have never yet met one of the latter who has managed to convince me that hunting is not cruel, necessary and carried out for animal welfare.
The only Act I would ever vote for as far as hunting is concerned is total abolishment!”