“Mairi apologies for that.

Maybe you could clear up any confusion then and clearly state if you think I should kill the deer I flush out or not?”

“Giles, you need to stop making assumptions about what various groups think about your activities.

My exact words to you were: You seem be collecting opinions on a very specific activity in an attempt to gain support to repeal the hunting act and yet none of these anti-hunt groups agree that the hunting act should be repealed. As we've discussed before, any new law might need to be enhanced or strengthened over time but that would NOT be a case for repeal. The truth is that if you really wanted to gain support for some sort of 'humane' activity, you wouldn't be working directly with the Countryside Alliance who clearly wants to repeal the hunting act in order to carry out 'inhumane' activities.”

“I am just emailing with Mairi below who runs the "Campaign for Decency".

She had expressed a desire to come down and monitor my flushing and chasing of wild deer. However after I have explained to her the full absurdity of this legislation it looks like she is now going to decline the monitoring opportunity leaving me as ever free to break the Hunting Act.

In my opinion it is quite clear that no one really thinks I should be made to obey the Hunting Act. Where laws are this stupid they should neither be obeyed or enforced and it is up to the politicians to either repeal, amend or replace them.”

“SKoM, Cullompton

I am perfectly capable of taking the heat. There is no sensible reason why I should not continue to refuse to kill the deer I flush out and chase with my three dogs.

best wishes”

“Giles
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

“Oh Deery Deery me poor farmer Giles doesn't like the Hunting Act because he now has to shoot them dead rather than CHASING THEM TO EXHAUSTION WITH HIS PACK OF HOUNDS AND TEARING THEM APART.

Well I am afraid Mr Bradshaw that is just tooooooo bad. You and your fellow Countryside Alliance cruelty junkies now have to deal with problem animals in a humane and civilised manner by shooting them.

If you don't like it Mr Bradshaw then I am afraid that is just TOUGH LUCK.

We live in a CIVILISED country and we all have to OBEY THE LAW!”

“This letter is being used on a facebook group to illustrate the absolute lack of morality of the pro hunt lobby and with good reason. What right does Giles Bradshaw think he has to kill deer in such a disgusting manner?

It is an absolute disgrace that the police are refusing to take action against the hunters.

There is nothing wrong with the Hunting Act the only problem is that it is not being enforced.

Hunters like Bradshaw are sticking two fingers up at all those who worked so hard to get this law passed.

Please show your opposition to this man and all he stands for by joining one of the many anti hunt facebook groups.”

“The comments about me being vile and the ludicrous allegations on here regarding facebook are nonsense. However I do accept that mairi has a point. I did fail to get back to her.

I have written to her as follows:

Sorry I never got back to you regarding your coming down to monitor me. You would be very welcome.

I am rather a log way away from you down in North Devon however I'd be happy to recommend a local B&B.Perhaps you would like to combine the trip with sightseeing or monitoring some of the local hunts. I believe the staghounds go on till April. Get in touch if you are interested. Obviously as I conduct my activities on my own private land it would need to be by prior arrangement. I would do my best to ensure you got some footage of deer being flushed although I could not guarantee that as being wild animals they are not always present.

However I would also be happy to furnish you with a signed statement of intent.

BTW I have never claimed to flush out with Spaniels! They are collies.



I think there is now a general acceptance that the Hunting Act is flawed. I would agree that the law needs strengthening. Obviously how the law should be strengthened needs to be a subject of public debate. My personal view and what I have long campaigned for is that it should be repealed and replaced with a law not specific ally against the use of dogs but that covers all means of pest control/wildlife management/sporting activity and regulates them on the basis of need, effectiveness and animal welfare.

Such activities should in my view have to pass stringent tests based on these criteria before they are allowed.

I feel confident that my activity being entirely non lethal and non wounding would pass such tests with flying colours.

with very best wishes


Giles”

“Mairi you are very very welcome to come and monitor me but obviously you need to contact me first as I use my dogs on private land and you would have to make a prior arrangement.

My dogs are collies. I have never spoken of spaniels.

As for hunting with a full pack I have occasionally followed a local pack myself but that is of course not illegal no matter what they do as I am not in control of the hounds.

Should you mairi or anyone else want to monitor my use of dogs to flush and chase deer then do not hesitate to contact me via facebook or twitter. I am easy enough to find.

best wishes

giles”

“If anything, the Hunting Act needs strengthening so that we can be sure that chasing and killing wild animals for fun is clearly and for ever unlawful and regarded by all with well-deserved revulsion. If they know what's good for them politically, Cameron, Hague, Herbert & Co. should, at the very least, promise to let sleeping dogs lie.”