Fox's protector comes forward
THE "mystery" man who helped protect a fox from hounds in East Devon has come forward.
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident which happened on Boxing Day afternoon near Shute.
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Sidmouth resident Prescilla Lynch, 52, claims to have found herself in the middle of the pack of hunting hounds in her field when Alun Metcalf stopped to help. The psychology student at Cardiff University, had been to Sidmouth for the day with his family when he saw the hunt.
"Traffic was stopping to let the hunt cross the road and as we got closer I saw a fox come out of the hedge closely followed by the hounds," he said. "I could see that a lady was shouting to keep the dogs off the fox so I decided to help."
The 31-year-old crawled through the hedge and pushed the hounds off the fox and then protected it with his body, until the dogs went back to the hunters.
"If it hadn't been for Mrs Lynch's actions the fox would have been torn to bits, that I have no doubt," he said. "If the law is hard to enforce then it needs to be improved, such as muzzling the hounds."
PC Steve Speariett, who is investigating the incident, said: "In order to prove there was an offence, it has to be shown that the hunt did not take reasonable steps to get the hounds away from the fox. We will gather all available evidence and if there's enough to prosecute, we will.
"We believe we know which hunt was in the area at the time."
The Hunting Act came into force in 2004, preventing the pursuit of wild mammals with dogs – but not banning trail or scent hunting.
East Devon MP Hugo Swire said: "The Hunting Act is a badly drafted piece of legislation because many elements simply cannot be enforced. There are more people hunting than ever. I don't want a repeal of the Act but a bigger and improved Bill looking at animal welfare. Although the Government is committed to a free vote it's not going to be a priority when there is the budget deficit to deal with."
Anyone with any information should contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101, quoting log number 216 of 28/12/11.
8 Comments
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by stevemisog
Monday, January 30 2012, 8:15PM
“I have an even better idea. Ban riding with hounds and outlaw hunting packs. Impossible to misinterpret and easy to enforce. Simples :)”
by greyjaybee
Monday, January 23 2012, 5:18PM
“Good on you Alun and also to GLWoollard for your comments. How refreshing to see a post from someone who truly understands the countryside and does not support so-called 'country pursuits'.
I agree with you....any attempt at repeal of the act will fail miserably.”
by Joannah
Sunday, January 22 2012, 5:30AM
“"In oder to prove there was an offence...."
What more is needed!!!!!
This will be a disgrace if there is not a prosecution. The police are just not bothering to uphold this law. The hunts need to have it made clear to them that they cnnot get away with ignoring the law of the land. Can we all ignore any law we don't fancy? Maybe I need a new TV - I'll just go next door and take theirs. I'll just punch so and so on the nose as I don't fancy what he said last week. I'll drive around without any insurance. In all of those cases the police would bestir themselves. If they had a good all out drive against the hunters they could put an end to it once and for all. Or are we living in some sort of lawless Far West where anyone can ignore what they want to ignore!”
by GLWoollard
Friday, January 20 2012, 9:50PM
“The Hunting Act 2004 was progressive and well-meaning legislation passed with support from all parties. If it has fault, it is that it needs tightening up. I write as a farmer and as a countryman born and bred and I have no wish for our country to regress in its attitude to the so-called 'sports' of fox hunting, hare coursing and stag hunting. They have had their day, along with bear baiting and cock fighting. And, besides, if the present Defra ministerial team - a hopeless lot of advocates - are to promote a vote to repeal the Act, Cameron and his cronies will lose. Hugo Swire is talking nonsense. Well done, Alun Metcalf.”
by mhayworth
Friday, January 20 2012, 8:02PM
“Hugo Swire wants an animal welfare bill? What a complete farce. He is talking about a document drafted by the lawyers for the bloodsports lobby that does absolutely nothing to protect the fox or any other animal torn to shreds while these appalling people stand around and cheer. The Countryside Alliance had the 'proposed legislation' posted on their website when they thought Cameron was going to seek an early repeal of the hunting act - but now they've pulled it because so many people saw that it was just a license to kill wildlife - in the most prolonged manner possible. These people are so ashamed of what they do, they've even renamed cubbing season to Autumn Hunting. They are nothing more than dogfighters dressed up to feign respectability. They can't even muster a majority of Tory Mps who want a repeal now - let alone the party supporters - who clearly do not want to return to the dark ages.
Badly drafted because many elements can't be enforced? Why - because much of it happens in the countryside where people like Hugo feel they are above the law? What about child abuse which doesn't happen out in the open? Difficult to enforce. Shall we repeal those laws too Hugo? Is that the new logic on how the law should work?
I like the idea of muzzling the hounds. If the hunts are really trail hunting, it shouldn't be a problem. lets see how they react when 'accidents' simply can't happen.”