Calls for Devon fox hunt to stay away after hounds invade a conservation project

The devon-based conservationist, author and farmer Derek Gow has hit out at the Lamerton Hunt after its hounds invaded his land, which is home to a project for rare and endangered native species.

It follows an incident on Saturday, January 11 on Derek’s 400-acre farm near Launceston in which Derek found five hunt hounds running amok in what he believes could have been a suspected illegal fox hunt.

The dogs were found next to aviaries containing sensitive turtle doves, which are being bred for release in south west England where they are virtually extinct.

He said: “The incident was an absolute disgrace exposing the whole façade of trail hunting. The hunt had either lost complete control of their dogs or they were hunting a fox.”

Derek confirmed that the hunt had neither sought permission to lay a trail nor were seen laying one on his farm, and that a neighbour had seen a fox being chased off a nearby road by hunt hounds at around the same time on the same day.

He added: “The hounds were running everywhere and without a shade of doubt they were a major disruptive influence on the animals being reared here.”

Derek has now written to the hunt to inform them that any further trespass on his land by them or their dogs will be met with an injunction to prohibit such unlawful behaviour.

Emily Lawrence, campaigns manager at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The behaviour of this fox hunt was entirely inconsistent with so-called trail hunting and points towards them pursuing a fox.

“It’s time for change and for the Government to lay out a timetable for when it is going to ban trail hunting, remove the loopholes in the Hunting Act being exploited by hunts and introduce jail sentences for those caught breaking the law.”

Trail hunting has been described by Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, the most senior police officer in England with responsibility for fox hunting crime, as a “smokescreen for illegal fox hunting”. He has also described illegal hunting as “prolific”.

The government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Defra has recently committedto banning trail hunting.

Emily added: “This shocking incident shows the blatant disregard hunts have for rural communities and could have had a disastrous impact on a project trying to help reverse biodiversity loss and restore native species to the West Country.

“Fox hunting is going on as it did before the ban and the police and courts need new powers to effectively tackle this brutal blood sport so it can be ended once and for all.”

The public can report wildlife crime to the League’s Animal Crimewatch service on 0300 444 1234 or email crimewatch@league.org.uk or WhatsApp at 0755 278 8247.

Ends

Notes to editors

Fox hunting was banned when the Hunting Act came into force on February 18, 005.

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