Keep The Ban forced to apologise after fundraising fiasco is exposed by rival anti-hunting group

Keep The Ban, an anti-hunting group, has been forced to apologise after fundraising for a 'fox hospital' run from a cramped room filled with cages.

The shocking exposé was revealed in the Sunday Telegraph this weekend, after a rival anti- hunting group published an investigation into the 'hospital' and the fundraising drive online.

The damaging revelations have triggered a flurry of outstanding questions for the group's founder, Rob Pownall, about what he knew, prior to asking its supporters to donate money.

It also exposes growing tensions between anti-hunting fanatics, who are competing for donations among a small pool of sympathisers.

According to the Telegraph, the 'hospital' comprised of a 'few cages in a cramped room' but was fundraising for a staggering £300k to buy a 'mobile clinic'.

Donation pages, some of which are still available online, show that more than £27,000-from over 1,000 donors- has been raised so far. It is unclear if the facility made further cash through Paypal donations and sponsorships, and the majority of the fundraising options are now closed to new contributions.

Keep The Ban admitted that it had visited the 'hospital' premises and the animals 'appeared healthy' but there was a 'lack of space' which is why the group began fundraising. It is unclear why, at this point, concerns were not raised with the relevant authorities.

The RSPCA has subsequently put out an appeal for further information, requesting the public contacts Essex Police with further information about the whereabouts of the foxes.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "If anyone has any first-hand information, including an address of a current location, they can contact us on 0300 1234 999 or Essex police."

Tim Bonner, the Countryside Alliance's Chief Executive told the Telegraph: "Groups like Keep The Ban are unregulated and unprincipled.

"This is yet another example of extremely dubious fundraising in the animal rights world.

"They use animals to raise funds for political campaigns and even for personal profit. Groups that really care about animal welfare should not be duping their supporters into handing over money to murky causes. In the public interest, it is critical they confirm whether all monies have been returned to donors and that none of it has been handed to an individual who appears to be on the run."

Speaking on behalf of Keep The Ban in a statement, Rob Pownall said: "On reflection it was the wrong call to support the appeal for donations and I did not undertake the sufficient due diligence and background checks on this operation."

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