Hunt 'going on rail line risked lives'
AN animal charity has condemned the Seavington Hunt claiming it presented a risk to members of the public after a fox and several dogs were spotted on the railway line at Clapton on Saturday.
Footage obtained by an anonymous member of the International Fund for Animal Welfare apparently shows a fox running along the railway line.
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ACTIVIST FILM: Footage obtained by a member of the International Fund for Animal Welfare apparently shows a fox on a railway line at Clapton.
A few moments after the fox runs on the tracks hounds are then shown appearing but are called back by huntsmen.
The member said: "I was very concerned the hunt were coming so close to the railway as it is the main London Waterloo to Exeter line.
"The fact they were on the line showed a total disregard for rail safety."
Tania McCrea-Steele, senior campaigns and prosecutions officer with IFAW, said: "This is yet another example of hunts running amok and out of control.
"If hunts can't control their dogs they should not be out. In this case, by running onto a busy railway line, serious risk was posed to members of the public and animals.
"The Hunting Act is a clear and enforceable piece of legislation and we hope police will investigate this incident thoroughly."
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were called to reports of a fox being chased by hounds and riders on the line and alerted the British Transport Police.
They said the matter has now been referred to the force wildlife liaison officer.
Hounds Off, a campaign group which supports the Hunting Ban, has welcomed the police investigation.
A spokesman said: "This sort of behaviour from the hunting fraternity shows wanton disregard for public safety. It is appallingly irresponsible."
On behalf of the Seavington Hunt, Alison Hawes, south west regional director for the Countryside Alliance, said: "An investigation has been launched into how the hounds ended up on the track, but they were on there for less than two minutes and the hunt acted very swiftly and professionally in calling them off the line as quickly as possible.
"It is worth bearing in mind that hunts have to endure harassment and intimidation by animal rights extremists on a daily basis, which will often upset and disorientate the hounds and can lead to situations such as this arising."
8 Comments
by GilesBradshaw
Friday, September 09 2011, 2:06PM
“I took my three dogs out this morning searching for deer to chase - do you have a problem with that?”
by GilesBradshaw
Friday, September 09 2011, 2:05PM
“GLWoollard are you saying that a fox is being chased in the video as claimed? In order for a chase to be taking place you have to have one party running after another and the other party fleeing,. Take a look at the video. Do you see hounds running after a fox? I don't.
The problem I have with a lot of anti hunters is that they continually claim that hunts are breaking the law and yet when they show these videos there is no crime being committed.
Meanwhile I do chase wild mammals with dogs and yet nothing is done. Why is that? For the simple reason that by not obeying the law I am causing no suffering whereas if I obeyed the law and conformed to the flushing exemption considerable amounts of suffering would be caused.
If you disagree why don't you report me to the police? they have told m,e they would take action if anybody complained. Yet know one does. people like you go on about the law not being enforced but when you have a clear opportunity to get the law enforced you do nothing about it.
Why not ring D&C police? There number is 08452 777444
you can send them a copy of this letter whichn I recently wriote to the head of the national Wildlife Crime Unit http://tinyurl.com/y4lug8”
by GLWoollard
Friday, September 09 2011, 1:48PM
“Giles Bradshaw is an embarrassment to true country people.”
by GilesBradshaw
Friday, September 09 2011, 1:00PM
“mhayworth - you say that Hunts are clearly breaking the law if so then given the fact they are constantly being monitored why have hardly any been prosecuted? Is that because the Hunting Act is hard to enforce? When I take my dogs out and chase a deer or a fox with them does that mean I am breaking the law? If so why am I not prosecuted?”
by GilesBradshaw
Friday, September 09 2011, 12:56PM
“GLWollard - the video doesn't actually show a fox being chased. Despite claims to the contrary.”
by GLWoollard
Thursday, September 08 2011, 9:35PM
“These people obviously can't control their hounds. The hounds were clearly out of control and a danger to themselves and to the trains. But what about the poor b****y fox, too? Why do they have to keep chasing and killing for their own sick amusement? I write as a farmer and as countryman and I cannot see why these people persist in their 'sports.' They are an embarrassment to true country people. The Hunting Act 2004 banned fox hunting, hare coursing, stag hunting, etc., and those so-called 'sports' belong in the dark ages along with bear baiting and cock fighting.”
by mhayworth
Thursday, September 08 2011, 9:23PM
“Alison Hawes is so typical of everything that is wrong with this country today. For once, I'd like to see an adult take responsibility for what they have done. These hunts are clearly breaking the law simply because it impedes their ability to inflict cruelty to animals in the quise of a sport. These 'hounds' that are trained from birth to do nothing but kill, have managed an exemption from the dangerous dogs act because the hunts claim to be able to control them. Then everytime the dogs run onto tracks or run havoc through towns causing damage to property and pets alike, they claim 'they lost control of the hounds'. So what are they now? In control and you are hunting illegally or out of control and these are dangerous dogs? Can't have it both ways Alison. Perhaps you should join the rest of civilised society, take up tennis and stop getting your kicks from killing our wildlife.”
by chrisbeardy
Thursday, September 08 2011, 4:45PM
“Harassment and intimidation, Alison ? Tell that to Paul Tillesley, battered by David Bevan of the west Somerset Vale hunt. Bevan got a years conditional discharge and a fine last this week for an unprovoked assault with a weapon and a horse on a monitor. What are you going to do about it, Alison, mutter more implausible excuses for the aggression and intimidation of hunts around the country? Blaming monitors for hounds on the line ? shame on you !”