Devon hunts hope for law change
MORE than 50 horses and riders took to the hills of East Devon as the new hunting season got under way.
At the start of what could be the last season before the Hunting Act is repealed, representatives from the Countryside Alliance gathered at Rockbeare Manor on Saturday to see dozens of huntsmen and women follow the East Devon Hunt’s trail hunt.
The Alliance’s South West spokesperson Alison Hawes said: “Hunting is probably holding its own. The good thing is that here in the South West we have not lost one single pack of hounds. Support is strong and people are very optimistic.
“It’s the fifth season since the law change and in that time there have only been three successful prosecutions against hunts. A change of government is a probability and with that we hope a repeal of the ban.”
Fourteen farms across East Devon gave permission for the hunt to use their land and hundreds of supporters gathered to enjoy refreshments and watch the riders and around 30 hounds set off.
Lucy Wastenage, 26, joint master of the hunt, said: “I’ve been involved in hunting since I was three. I used to hunt with my father as a child. It’s great to see so many kids here because they are the future of hunting.”
Michael Moore, senior joint master of the East Devon Hunt, and Gerrard Knowle, owner of Rockbeare Manor, addressed the crowd before the hunt.
Mr Knowle said: “There has never ever in the history of hunting been a worse time to be a master of the hunt. Roll on the day when we can hunt properly again. So far the hunting world has managed to keep its nose clean and battled to survive.
“We need to make sure we get rid of this wretched ban and the only way we can do it is to get rid of this Government and a ban that should never have been brought in in the first place.”
The ban on hunting with dogs in England and Wales became law in February 2005. Since the implementation of the Hunting Act, hunt monitors have continued to document the activities of hunts.
Ivor Annetts, a Devon activist from the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Our hunt monitors are out in strength. The ban is an enforceable piece of legislation designed to avoid cruelty and evidence is obtainable.”
A police spokesman said the force did not have any officers present at the hunt on Saturday.
Chris Stephens, 52, master of foxhounds, from Ide, said: “Five years on from the ban we are still out drag hunting. We are keeping a tradition alive.”
Helen Hawkins, 43, from Feniton, and Sally Garland, 47, from Honiton, were watching their daughters ride. Helen, whose 14-year-old daughter Zoe was taking part, said: “We have always been part of the East Devon Hunt. My daughter has been riding since she was very young. It is such a lovely sight to see them set off across the countryside.”
Rita Vicary, 67, from Cullompton, came to watch the hunt with her daughter Kathryn Handford, 40.
Rita said: “ I own a horse which my daughter rides and we are supporters of the Tiverton Foxhounds.
“We just want a Conservative government, so the ban will be repealed.”
7 Comments
by Marion, Plymouth
Thursday, March 17 2011, 4:23PM
“I am neither pro hunting or against hunting. I was born and brought up in a large town and have lived in the west country for the best part of almost 20 years. I can understand why people are against hunting and I also understand why hunters hunt. What I don't understand is the ignorance that people have to ways of life that they have no knowledge or understanding of. We all have our morals and beliefs and have a right to an opinion but we must remember that they are just opinions and we have no right to dictate to generations of people that live a way of life different to our own just because we don't like or believe in it ourselves. And not that I'm defending the hunt but for all those people who have a very set opinion against them, you all need to remember that for hundreds and thousands of years the whole world was at it whether they hunted for food, or clothing or to protect their homes and livestock which would have been their only way of existance. If it wasn't for the generations of ALL our ancestors who have had to live a way of life that most of us today would never tolerate. Would we as a nation or indeed the human race have survived this long.”
by Jon Burgess, Worcestershire
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 10:42PM
“Civilised in the city you reckon brin? What about the muggings, rocketing knife and gun crime, dog fighting etc etc. And how come this Government wasted 700 hours on the hunting ban but but spent only 70 on get us into a war in Iraq. If that Civilised I'll stick with the nasty old countryside.”
by brin, exeter
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 10:51AM
“Cheeseman, Yes, you may have put me right on a few points, as I admit I am a townie! But I doubt it! We get plenty of foxes (and badgers!) in and around Exeter city centre even. I have seen them many a time. Yes, they rip open rubbish bags,the way you talk, perhaps they even eat peoples kittens! but do you see us chasing them down the high street on our horses with a pack of hounds, no, because we are civilised in the city, at least as far as animal welfare is concerned. I am no softie, softie nor am I a tree hugger. I am very much up for keeping old and local tradition alive, but not cruelty for fun. The people who in the cities who choose to fight dogs generally do it out of poverty and perhaps a lack of education, I dont think you have that excuse!”
by M Hayworth, UK
Monday, November 02 2009, 6:32PM
“If drag hunting has been so successful that hunt numbers have increased, why are these people so hungry for blood again? Who would want their children to be part of such a cruel and disturbing ritual?”
by Cheeseman, exe
Monday, November 02 2009, 5:51PM
“Rob and Brin obviously don't know about and/or havent experienced life in the country.
Fox's are vermin, they're not cute fluffy animals, they savage and kill peoples chickens/rabbits and other animals for fun.
They rip apart bin bags looking for scraps to eat. They hunt down and kill small, young and vulnerable animals. They are not much different to rats.
I am glad the conservatives support fox hunting, it is an old tradition this country has been doing for many years, and its because of townies like you that its dying.
brin - where the hell did you get the idea older dogs are killed? I think you've been reading too many silly newspapers. Seriously ill dogs are killed, its the humane thing to do, would you rather they suffered in pain for the last period of their life?
That's not having respect for animal life.
Get your noses out of Animals of Farthing Wood and get into the real world, animals will kill each other, people will kill animals, its all part of the Predator and Prey system.
Its disappointing age old traditions are dying because of softie softie town people and tree huggers.
We live in the Westcountry here, not a major city. Theres a lot of fields, forests and wildlife around if you hadn't noticed.”
by Rob, Polsloe - Exeter
Monday, November 02 2009, 12:53PM
“Why on earth the Conservatives support the return of fox hunting is beyond me.”
by brin, Exeter
Monday, November 02 2009, 10:00AM
“The vast majority of these people have no respect for any form of animal life, apart from enjoying killing wildlife, for instance if a hound is old or sick, then generally it is killed. These people are no better than the working classes who fight dogs etc. Yep, I am a townie and I like life. Simple as that, I dont like people who kill for fun. Its just beyond my comprehension I am afraid.”