Yesterday, Wayne Greggory, huntsman of the Vale of Taunton & Banwell Harriers pleaded guilty to an offense under the Hunting Act following an incident in November last year. Greggory was fined a paltry £250, with a £100 victim surcharge and £80 court costs.
Greggory’s guilty plea is a testament to the quality of evidence – in the form of drone footage – secured by Somerset Hunt Saboteurs. The footage clearly shows Greggory and others directing their pack of hounds to flush and then hunt a fox. They succeed in forcing the fox from a large area of scrub to a much smaller one, which is then entirely surrounded by the baying hounds. Their terrified victim makes a break for it and is then pursued by the pack, even leaping over a watercourse in his desperation to escape.
The fate of the fox is unknown, though Somerset Sabs are hopeful that he escaped.
While obtaining this evidence, getting to it to court and securing a guilty plea is a fantastic achievement by Somerset Hunt Sabs, they would be the first to acknowledge that such a paltry fine is no deterrent at all for determined and committed hunters like Greggory. In fact, as he left court, Greggory was filmed saying “I’m going hunting now anyway” believed to be a reference to the Quantocks Staghounds who were meeting not far away.
This kind of arrogant behaviour is precisely why the Hunt Saboteurs Association is calling for Hunting Act offenses to be aligned with those of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This would mean hunters facing prison sentences and the forfeiture of animals and equipment.
With the government’s current public consultation on banning ‘trail hunting’ is the best chance we finally have a chance to give the Hunting Act real teeth.
Please add your voice by completing the consultation today.
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The government has launched a public consultation on Trail Hunting – this is our chance to stop cruel hunting for good. You can read the HSA’s guidance and take part in the consultation here. The deadline is 18th June 2026 – make sure your voice is heard.
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