Axe Vale Video Exposes the Horror of ‘Terrier Work’

On Saturday 8th March, Glasgow Hunt Sabs attended a meet of the Dumfriesshire & Stewartry (D&S) Hunt near the village of Thornhill, marking the first visit from sabs since the hunt’s formation in 2006.

The arrival of hunt sabs at one of the last meets of the season took the hunt by surprise. Clearly unsettled by their presence, the hunt attempted to drive sabs off by riding horses at them and using a number of tactics to hold them up.

Last week former huntsman Sam Staniland pleaded guilty to three animal cruelty offences relating to illegal hunting and animal fighting. Between 2020 and 2023, foxes and badgers were targeted by Staniland in a number of incidents in Essex, with lurchers, patterdale terriers and a foxhound also being injured in the process. He was facing three further charges, but they were dismissed as part of proceedings.

The coursing of wildlife with sight hounds across the eastern counties hit the national headlines recently with the rampage of a gang of approximately 70 individuals in multiple vehicles across the countryside around Ely at the end of January.

It was widely reported that many emergency calls were made to the police by the local community as hares and deer were killed and crops and property damaged. With no units attending, the gang continued with impunity for several hours and will undoubtedly be emboldened to do the same again by the lack of law enforcement.

Spring has finally sprung…foxes will soon be giving birth to their cubs, hares are putting on their spectacular boxing displays, and the Hunt Saboteurs Association is having sale.