Fox Hunting News

HSUS has been publishing a newsletter for school children—KIND News—since 1983. It’s printed for three levels of readership: kindergarten through second grade, third through fourth, and fifth through sixth. HSUS President Wayne Pacelle claims that the newsletter focuses on non-controversial subjects. “We really believe in teaching kids about being good to animals and kindness as an important part of citizenship and adolescent growth,” Pacelle is quoted as saying. “This publication is used throughout America, and it never has political content….It certainly doesn’t take a stand against hunting or farming in any way.” No quarrel with that. But is Mr. Pacelle being disingenuous? According to the North Platte Telegraph (NE), the Lincoln Public Schools have pulled the April 2010 third/fourth grade edition because of its content. A picture on the front page showed a child wearing a gas mask and asked, “What if you had to wear a gas mask to play in your yard?” The article went on to describe agricultural areas affected by swarms of flies, harmful gases, and rivers tainted by animal waste. Children were urged to write to the USDA, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and to lawmakers expressing their concerns. The newsletter was pulled by the Lincoln Public Schools because they have a policy requiring both sides of any controversial issue to be presented to students. They will no longer distribute the newsletter because they cannot effectively monitor its contents. For more information, see Heather Johnson’s full article. Posted March 20, 2011

Richard “Pinky” Edmonds, 86, died on Wednesday, March 9 from post-operative complications following knee replacement surgery the week before, according to Jon Massey of Folsom, Louisiana. “He will be profoundly missed by everyone who knew him,” said Massey. “Pinky was one of the first real horsemen that I met when I started foxhunting,” said Jef Murdock of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. “He is much beloved and well known in the northeast foxhunting scene from Connecticut to New York State and long ago was involved with packs in Aiken, South Carolina. He was an old-fashioned groom who lived the real life of caring for horses and the people who rode them.” Funeral services will be held in Millbrook, New York on Saturday, March 19. Posted March 11, 2011 Previously published News items are all available. Click on News/News.

Uncle Mo is being touted as the horse to beat in the upcoming Kentucky Derby on May 7. In fact, the undefeated two-year-old champion that ran away with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by more than four lengths is renewing serious talk of a potential Triple Crown winner this year, an accomplishment not seen since Affirmed’s sweep in 1978. The pundits will surely be watching as Uncle Mo makes his three-year-old debut this Saturday, March 12, in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream. So will his owner, Mike Repole, 42, who has the distinction of having a second horse—Stay Thirsty—in the Derby by virtue of that horse’s win in the Gotham Grade III race at Aqueduct last Saturday, March 5. Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty are both trained by Todd Pletcher, who has another Derby entry, Brethren. Posted March 8, 2011 All previously published FHL News reports are available by clicking on News/News.

Tragedy struck Saturday, February 28 at Belle Meade Hunt in Thomson, Georgia, according to a press release from Epp Wilson, MFH and huntsman. Dr. Lewis McCurdy, a visiting huntsman from Tuscumbia, Alabama, fell from his horse when it missed a turn while hunting. Dr. McCurdy, a large animal veterinarian, was visiting along with several other members of the Full Cry Hunt from Tuscumbia. He has been a passionate polo player and fox and coyote hunter for over twenty years. He has been a staff member and has hunted the hounds for his home hunt in Alabama. Dr. McCurdy was immediately assessed and cared for by an emergency medicine physician and two other physicians and a nurse who were riding directly in front of and behind him. They all witnessed the accident. He was wearing an ASTM safety approved equestrian helmet which Belle Meade Hunt members are required to wear. Ground ambulance and air ambulance were instantly called, and he was transported by helicopter to MCG Trauma Center in critical condition. He had sustained neck injuries and died at the hospital Monday afternoon. His wife Nancy McCurdy and their two grown children were at his side when he passed away. Dr. and Mrs. McCurdy are well-loved by family and a large circle of friends. Dr. McCurdy is known for his spirit of adventure and passion for foxhunting and polo. He is also known for his generosity and kindness and has advanced many youths’ lives through college scholarships. He and Mrs. McCurdy have two children and five grandchildren. “The McCurdy family, community and hunt family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. We all appreciate the rapid response and professionalism of the local Fire Fighters, Ambulance and Flight Paramedics. Their team effort assured that Dr. McCurdy received the best care as quickly as possible,” said Epp Wilson. In another report, The Huntsville Times said that Dr. McCurdy was chosen by the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association as Vet of the Year in 2007. “We lost a great veterinarian and friend today,” said Dr. Angela Concannon, president of the Madison County Veterinary Medical Association. “He never met a stranger and was very, very passionate about veterinary medicine. It was one of his great loves and it showed through everything he did. Please keep praying for his wife and family.” McCurdy was a 1974 graduate of the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. Posted March 1, 2011

A determined fox in Belarus turned the tables by accidentally pulling the trigger on his assailant’s rifle and shooting the foxhunter in the leg. The hunter had approached the fox after wounding it, with the intention of finishing the job with his rifle butt. The fox resisted strenuously and in the ensuing scuffle managed to get its paw on the trigger. The foxhunter was hospitalized with his leg wound, and, according to the media, the fox escaped. Foxhunting is said to be popular in Belarus, which borders Russia and Poland. The story was filed from Moscow by Reuters. Posted February 24, 2011

Fernie huntsman Derek Hopkins will appeal his conviction under the Hunting Act and Badgers Act, according to the Countryside Alliance. Hopkins and countryman Kevin Allen were convicted following a seven-day trial that had been scheduled for only four days. The accused men argue that key evidence, including questions about their intent, was not even addressed before the magistrates ruled. The Badgers Act is said to rival the Hunting Act for its complexity, and lawyers for the defendants believe there is a good chance for success on appeal. An earlier contested case against Exmoor huntsman Tony Wright, convicted in Magistrates’ Court, was overturned in Crown Court. More details of the case can be seen in the Harborough Mail.February 1, 2011