Word has reached the HSA that three hare-hunting beagle packs are to fold. The Claro Beagles, the Vectis Beagles and the North Warwickshire Beagles are all set to close this season due to lack of support.
This leaves just 55 beagle packs operating in the UK. These hunts use packs of beagles to hunt hares by scent. Like their fox hunting friends, beaglers employ the lie of “trail hunting” to disguise their illegal activities.
HSA Press Officer Lee Moon commented, “These closures are great news for wildlife and further evidence that beagling is in terminal decline. Hunt sabs have always sabotaged beagle packs and it is clear our actions are having a long-term effect. As the season gets under way, we are even more determined to target hare hunts across the country.”
(The Claro Beagles operated across North Yorkshire; the the Vectis Beagles were based on the Isle of Wight).