Anti-hunting activists play petty politics

As Boxing Day approaches, hunt supporters are preparing themselves for one of the most well-supported events in hunting's annual calendar. Hunting's opponents on the other hand, are using last-minute petty politics in an attempt to try to disrupt meets from taking place in public spaces where the supportive crowds generally dwarf the small gatherings of anti-hunting activists.

Unable to accept that packs of hounds are still kept in hunt kennels and are operating legally across every corner of the countryside nearly 18 years after the Hunting Act was enforced, animal rights extremists have no limit to which they will stoop. Last week the church was targeted with a rural parish vicar bombarded with threatening correspondence and this week we saw the footage which resulted in a hunt saboteur being convicted after hitting an 81-year-old gentleman in the neck with a camera.

📹A video shows a hunt saboteur, Alexandra Dennis, striking an 81-year-old man in the head with a video camera lens, after lunging at him.

She was found guilty of assault by beating at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Monday. https://t.co/IMHhFX9Z7y pic.twitter.com/WZqFtxJZZ4

— Countryside Alliance Press Office (@CApressoffice) December 21, 2022

Despite the country being in the aftermath of a global pandemic with increasing energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis, animal rights activists continue to put pressure on local councils to prevent hunts from meeting in public spaces. We understand that in some cases, councillors – who should be focussing on how best to address the needs of their local residents – have had to take legal advice having been threatened with legal challenges if they permit hounds to meet in public spaces without ensuring relevant protocol has been adhered to.

The reasoning behind the recent "mismanagement" of the Cotley Harriers' meet which was due to take place in Chard town centre on Boxing Day is yet to be established but the hunt is currently considering a legal challenge. This comes after council officials apologised to the hunt after claiming the application was 'not dealt with in an appropriate way'. We believe that there should always be a presumption in favour of lawful activity on publicly-owned land and that the council should be seeking to maximise, not restrict, public enjoyment of land held as a public asset for everyone and look forward to hounds being welcomed back into Chard next year.

Like so many other events, Boxing Day meets have operated in a restricted way over the past couple of years but this year they will return in all their glory to town squares, village greens and other areas of land that can safely accommodate large crowds who wish to see hounds and their followers. These iconic events will grace the covers of newspapers and social media pages across the world, demonstrating the important part that lawful hunting activities still play within rural communities.

Although it may take the spotlight, hunting is not the only activity that will be taking place on Boxing Day and over the festive period. Walked-up and family shoots will be enjoyed by many whilst the countryside itself will become populated with those wishing to burn off calories and enjoy the fresh air along with the many benefits that spending time outdoors brings.

Wherever and however you spend your Christmas and Boxing Day, the Countryside Alliance wishes you all the very best.