Footage Shows Hunt Blocking Badger Setts To Stop Foxes Escape

HSA is today releasing covert footage captured of members of Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s Hunt (aka the Wynnstay Hunt) blocking active badger setts ahead of a hunting day.

The footage clearly shows masked men, believed by the HSA to be the terrierman and kennel huntsman employed by the hunt, carrying out the traditional fox hunting practice of ‘earth stopping’ on a number of occasions.

This takes place ahead of a hunt to block up badger sett entrances, and holes used by fox and even rabbit, to stop a fleeing fox from taking refuge in them in order for a longer, more preferable chase during the hunt.

Badger setts have been protected since 1992 under current law, and since the 2004 Hunting Act there has been no legal exemption for hunts to block setts. Yet every season we see this happening.

Members of the Wynnstay were convicted of blocking active badger setts, as well as illegal fox hunting, only last year as a result of further footage captured by the HSA.

While on this occasion a prosecution was not pursued (in part due to uncertainty of the identities of those involved), it shows that despite previous convictions this hunt continues to interfere with badger setts as part of the logistics of their illegal hunting operation, because they chase foxes.

A spokesperson for the HSA said,

“This is yet another example that blows the myth of ‘trail hunting’ out of the water.”

“What business would hunt employees have sneaking about in the early hours, wearing masks to hide their identities, to block badger setts if legally ‘trail hunting’? The answer is they wouldn’t. That’s done solely for the purpose of preventing a wild mammal from escaping from a pack of hounds down a badger sett during an illegal hunt.”

The HSA’s Campaigns Officer added,

“This case is another example of repeated criminal behaviour and intent from a hunt – the law and sentencing powers must be strengthened to act as an effective deterrent.”

“With the hunting season now getting underway, wildlife crime such as this is now happening on the watch of the new Government. It’s up to them to fulfil their election promise and ban the smokescreen of trail hunting.”