Another Week, Another Guilty Hunt Terrierman.

Yesterday, Tuesday 3rd December, South Shropshire Hunt terrierman David Conde pleaded guilty at Telford Magistrates Court to interfering with a badger sett.

Conde was caught in January 2024 on hidden cameras in woodland west of Shrewsbury, blocking badger sett entrances with a spade just ahead of a visit by the South Shropshire Hunt.

Today, three members of the hunt – William Hand,Toby Holly and David Conde – appeared in Telford Magistrates Court to answer the charges. Conde pleaded guilty to the offence, and will be sentenced on the 29th January next year. The other two men pleaded not guilty, and their cases will go to trial on the 12th June next year.

Dumb and Dummer: West Mids Hunt Sabs film illegal hare hunting

When West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs arrived at a Dummer Beagles meet in Great Wolford, Warwickshire, they launched their drone to assist the foot team in locating the hunt.

However, not realising the drone was above them, the Dummer Beagles carried on hunting with huntsman Stephen Duckmanton casting the beagles out across a field in the hope of finding the scent of a hare. It wasn’t long before a hare was put up. In the footage A hare waits until the last second before quickly putting a field between itself and the chasing pack of beagles.

Have a very Sabby Christmas!

Here at the HSA, we have a bit of an aversion to men in red coats. However, we are prepared to make an exception for Father Christmas and remind our supporters that HSA merchandise makes great Christmas presents! Our stunning  Christmas cards in two designs are back for 2024. Clothing wise, you can choose from our […]

John Prescott and the Rumble in Rhyl

Yesterday we heard of the passing of former Labour deputy leader and anti-hunt campaigner John Prescott. The former deputy Prime Minister was one of the driving forces behind the passing of the Hunting Act 2004 bill twenty years ago, almost to the day The Rumble in Rhyl In the lead up to the 2001 General […]

Grouse moors in England – let’s take them back!

The HSA fights on many fronts and, while we have been focussing on hunt opening meets in recent weeks, we don’t forget the injustices taking place elsewhere. With this in mind, moorland campaigner and author Bob Berzins considers the parlous state of Britain’s uplands – and how we got here. 

West Mids Hunt Sabs Highlight Collusion in the Countryside

Following tonight’s shocking ITV News exposé, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs sent the following report:

Like all hunts, the Warwickshire Hunt causes misery to local communities and our wildlife – and we are the only line of defence for foxes in Warwickshire.

Sett-sniffing Wynnstay Terrierman Convicted of Badger Offences!

On Monday 11th November, Ryan Brennan – terrierman at the Wrexham-based Sir Watkins Williams-Wynn (aka Wynnstay) Hunt – pleaded guilty to interfering with a badger sett. The offences, which took place in January of this year, were captured in a covert surveillance operation.

Kidderminster Magistrates Court branded Brennan’s offences as “serious” and handed him a 10-week prison sentence (suspended for 12 months), a £154 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Brennan must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

Wynners and losers: Leading Fox Hunt caught out again

Another week, and yet another video showing the Wynnstay Hunt engaged in illegal fox hunting. This latest covert footage shows the previously convicted hunt preventing a fox going to ground in a badger sett and scaring her back towards their pack of hounds.

The video, taken on 5 th November near Wrexham, features the hunt’s employed terrierman Ryan Brennan – currently under investigation for causing a dog to enter a badger sett – and Alistair Johnson, a regular lackey for the Wynnstay.

The badger sett is on a public footpath in woodland known to be frequented by foxes. Normally, the hunt block up this particular badger sett with spades – a practice they have been found guilty of in the past.

Dwindling support, rising convictions and illegal hunting: a new sab group in Somerset gets stuck in

Somerset Hunt Sabs report…

A bit of backstory: Wednesday 8th January 2020 – just before Covid brought the country to a halt – a village hall on the Quantocks hosted an open meeting to discuss the fate of the struggling West Somerset Vale Hunt. The decision was made to merge with the Weston & Banwell Harriers “for preservation of hunting in this area”.

Fast-forward to September 2022 and Steve Burton is trotted out as the new huntsman for the merged and catchily-titled Weston & Banwell Harriers/West Somerset Vale (WBHWSV). But this year a group of dedicated locals has also entered the scene. Most of us had spent a decade opposing the badger cull and we are now determined to confront illegal foxhunting too.

“Hunting Will Be Judged on the Standards It Upholds”

With most fox hunts having held their opening meets last Saturday, the HSA is today releasing further footage showing the cruel and illegal practice of ‘bolting’ taken by one of the hunters themselves.

As the video opens, a gang of hunters are using a spade, and perhaps terriers, to dislodge a fox from his underground refuge. As soon as the terrified fox bolts downhill, he is pursued by a large pack of baying fell hounds. Hunt supporters – eager to get a view of the fox’s suffering – can be seen scattered across the distant fellside.

While we do not know the fate of this fox, this form of bolting is designed to keep the hounds ‘in blood’ by all but guaranteeing a kill.

Paul Watson – ‘Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied!’

The Hunt Saboteurs Association is once again urging its supporters to take action in support of Captain Paul Watson. Paul’s detention was extended by a further three weeks by a Danish court on October 23rd , putting his next hearing back until November 13th.

Captain Paul Watson will need very little introduction to supporters of the Hunt Saboteurs Association. Indeed, there has always been a close affinity between hunt sabs and Sea Shepherd/CPWF (Captain Paul Watson Foundation), with many sabs having crewed on Sea Shepherd/CPWF vessels over the years.

Bolted and Hunted: The Truth Behind Trail Hunting

With many hunts having their opening meets last Saturday and the remainder due to meet this coming November 2 nd , the HSA is today releasing the second of three videos – filmed by hunters – showing the cruel and illegal practice of ‘bolting.’

The video opens with a group of hunters and hounds gathered on a distant hillside. At least one hunt terrierman can be seen banging a stick or spade on the ground – a common technique for frightening a fox into bolting from their underground refuge.

Gone for a Burton: Yet Another Huntsman Found Guilty!

Yesterday, Monday 28th October, Neil Burton the huntsman for the Burton Hunt returned to Lincoln Magistrates Court charged under section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.

The charges related to an incident that occurred on Riseholme Lane, very close to the hunts’ kennels on January 27 th 2024, where Lincoln Hunt Sabs observed and filmed Neil intentionally encourage his hounds to hunt a fox.

Notorious Fox Hunt Kills At Opening Meet

Seavington hunt kill a fox

Two Counties Hunt Sabs have captured horrifying footage of a fox kill at the opening meet of the notorious Devon-based Seavington Hunt.

While sabs were too far away to directly intervene, they managed to film the hunted fox being brought down by the lead hounds in full view of huntsman Duncan Cinnamond. Far from intervening to stop this crime, Cinnamond blows three short, sharp blasts on his horn to encourage the remaining hounds to join the attack.

Axe Vale Dig-Out: Police Protect the Fox Hunters

Back in March, Devon County Hunt Sabs and Mendip Hunt Sabs intervened in a dig-out at an Axe Vale Harriers meet. As seen in the footage previously shared by the HSA, sabs had come across a gang of hunt terriermen who were digging into a badger sett.

Sabs had called the police because of the ongoing wildlife crime and because the terriermen made several threats of violence. Two response officers arrived after the terriermen had scarpered. Sabs had gathered solid video evidence of multiple offences under the Hunting Act, Protection of Badgers Act, Animal Welfare Act and Public Order Act, including evidence that enabled the identification of the terriermen.

However, the case was recently dropped by Devon & Cornwall Police, citing ‘insufficient evidence’. We are therefore sharing footage of the conversation sabs had with police officers on the day to show you what witnesses and victims of crime have to deal with in Devon.

Opening Meets Bring Another Season of Illegal Fox Hunting

Days ahead of the official start of the new hunting season, the Hunt Saboteurs Association is today releasing the first of three videos showing the cruel and illegal practice of ‘bolting.’

In the video, filmed by one of the hunt supporters present, a man with a terrier under one arm can be seen moving a spade that is blocking a hole. A fox exits the hole and runs into the path of a pack of hounds, which are being held up by another man. The fox is then chased with the pack of hounds close behind.

Bad hare week for hunters

From east to west, hunt sabs have stopped hare-hunting beagle and basset packs over the past week.

“Very Friendly Trail Hunt” Rips Foxes to Pieces

Recent drone footage showing the protracted pursuit of a fox by the Weston & Banwell with West Somerset Vale Hunt has received wide-spread media coverage. It reveals how the fox was relentlessly pursued – and attacked – by hounds, together with the active involvement of both mounted and foot followers.

This is some of the most blatant footage of illegal fox hunting ever recorded, yet the WBWSV have the nerve to call themselves a ‘trail hunt’ on their own website. In so doing, they are simply acting on guidance from the Countryside Alliance who have repeatedly advised that hunts should rebrand themselves as ‘trail hunts’ on their social media, website and other publicity materials.