Ex-Huntsman Sam Staniland Convicted of Animal Cruelty

Today, Sam Staniland, the former huntsman of the Essex & Suffolk Hunt, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court facing six charges related to animal cruelty, including allowing dogs to fight with badgers and foxes.

The case was brought by the RSPCA and Suffolk Police Rural Crime Team, following evidence discovered when police seized Staniland’s phone during an investigation into a separate fox hunting incident. This evidence led to an RSPCA raid on the kennels in January 2023. The offences occurred between 2020 and 2023 in Hadleigh and St Osyth in Essex.

As a result of the raid, six men were arrested and 22 terriers were seized. The investigation implicated huntsmen from three different hunts, including Staniland, who had previously been convicted of illegal hunting while serving as huntsman for the now-defunct Meynell & South Staffs Hunt. Following these revelations, the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) suspended Staniland and others, leading to them being sacked by their respective hunts.

Charges Against Staniland

1. Causing unnecessary suffering to a foxhound by failing to prevent it from fighting a fox (17th October 2022).
2. Causing animal fighting to take place (17th October 2022).
3. Failing to protect a female Patterdale terrier from suffering between 6th and 21st April 2023. The terrier had injuries to her skin, muzzle, and nose.
4. Failing to prevent three Patterdale terriers from fighting foxes and badgers between 21st March and 23rd April 2023.
5. Failing to prevent dogs from fighting a badger (11th February 2021).
6. Failing to prevent two black lurcher dogs from fighting a badger (17th October 2022).

Convictions and Outcome

Staniland pleaded guilty to three charges, while the remaining charges were dismissed. He was found guilty of:

1. Failing to meet the welfare needs of three Patterdale terriers – Scandal, Vice, and Roxy – by allowing them to fight badgers and foxes (21st March – 21st April 2023).
2. Causing suffering to a foxhound by failing to prevent it from fighting a fox (17th October 2022).
3. Causing suffering to a second foxhound under the same circumstances (17th October 2022).
4. Failing to ensure the welfare needs of two lurcher-type dogs, allowing them to fight a badger (17th October 2022).

The prosecution did not proceed with the remaining charges, leading to their dismissal.

Staniland left the court with a smirk, holding a Bag for Life he had filled with his belongings, in case he was remanded in custody.

He is due to be sentenced at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 10th April 2025, with all sentencing options still under consideration. The new huntsman of the Essex & Suffolk Hunt, John Henty, and former Whipper-in Jamie Price, are both due in court 11th March 2025 for a Section 1 Hunting Offence from footage captured by Suffolk Action For Wildlife.

A HSA spokesperson commented,

“These are just the latest cases of blatant illegal hunting and animal cruelty. Please email your local MP and urge them to pressure Labour into delivering their promised ban on the smokescreen of ‘trail hunting.’ Many of these hideously cruel offences occurred while foxes and badgers were pregnant or caring for newborn cubs. We cannot comprehend the mindset of those who choose to inflict such pain and suffering on our wildlife, and we call on the government to take action to end it once and for all.”

Please support South Suffolk Hunt Sabs who have kept the pressure on the Essex and Suffolk Hunt – ko-fi.com/southsuffolkhuntsabs