Crawley and Horsham Foxhounds
Eleven Years of England’s Hunting Act
Liz Callar photoIt’s been eleven years since England’s Hunting Act of 2004 was enacted by the Labour government, and ten years since the Act was put into effect. So what happened this year?
After the May elections, Prime Minister David Cameron found himself leading a Conservative Party majority government for the first time. Pro-hunting Conservatives were ecstatic and looked to Cameron to make good on his pledge to bring a free vote to the floor in Parliament. They sought first to abolish the Act, then later hoped to at least modify the Act. Cameron, however, was never sufficiently confident to bring either proposal to the floor. Too many members of his own party, not to mention the Liberal opposition, pledged to oppose him on the issue.
That was the bad news. There was news this month, however, with potential for positive development.
Eleven Years of England’s Hunting Act
Liz Callar photoIt’s been eleven years since England’s Hunting Act of 2004 was enacted by the Labour government, and ten years since the Act was put into effect. So what happened this year?
After the May elections, Prime Minister David Cameron found himself leading a Conservative Party majority government for the first time. Pro-hunting Conservatives were ecstatic and looked to Cameron to make good on his pledge to bring a free vote to the floor in Parliament. They sought first to abolish the Act, then later hoped to at least modify the Act. Cameron, however, was never sufficiently confident to bring either proposal to the floor. Too many members of his own party, not to mention the Liberal opposition, pledged to oppose him on the issue.
That was the bad news. There was news this month, however, with potential for positive development.
Three Convicted Under the Hunting Act in England
Three members of the Crawley and Horsham hunt in West Sussex, England were found guilty in Horsham Magistrates Court of violations under the Hunting Act. These are the first convictions in Sussex under the act. Four of the hunt’s members were charged with five separate offences. All pleaded not guilty. The evidence, including video clips, was furnished by a West Sussex animal rights group. Neill Millard, MFH; Rachel Holdsworth, hunt secretary; and Andrew Phillis, former huntsman (now Master and huntsman of the Dart Vale Harriers) were found guilty of illegal foxhunting. Charges against Jamie Hawksfield, MFH were dropped during the trial. The judge disagreed with assertions by the accused that they were taking part in legitimate trail hunting, following a scent laid for hounds. A representative of the Countryside Alliance expressed disappointment in the verdict and promised that the organization would continue to support the defendants should they wish to appeal. Posted May 17, 2012
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Crawley and Horsham Prosecuted Under the Hunting Act
The trial of four members of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt in West Sussex, England opened in Horsham Magistrates Court on Monday, April 23. The four are accused of violations under the Hunting Act. Two Masters, the hunt secretary, and the former huntsman (who now hunts the Dart Vale Harriers) are charged with five separate offences. All pleaded not guilty of the charges against them. The evidence, which includes video clips, was furnished by a West Sussex animal rights group. The defendants are expected to present their arguments to the court later in the week. See Horse & Hound magazine for more details. Posted April 25, 2012
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