As the summer sun blazed across the UK this June, Hunt Saboteur groups remained relentless in their pursuit to expose and combat illegal hunting and wildlife persecution. From disturbing discoveries in the countryside to courtroom appearances and political pressure, here’s a detailed round-up of what unfolded this month.
Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs uncovered the disturbing use of a dead crow strung upside down in a field to deter other crows. Upon closer inspection, the bird’s wings had been cut, suggesting it was first used as a live decoy to attract other birds into a Larsen Trap before being repurposed in death to deter other crows. The bird was respectfully taken down and laid to rest by sabs.
Adding to the month’s troubling discoveries, Hertfordshire sabs came across a Larsen Trap, an inhumane and extremely cruel device that remains legal in the UK despite being banned in its country of origin, Denmark, for its inherent cruelty. A live bird was found inside with clipped wings, no food or water in this ongoing heatwave, and no perch meant it was an illegal trap under the general licenses.
The notorious Fitzwilliam Hunt is heading back to court. Hunt staff will appear at Peterborough Magistrates Court on June 13 for an incident caught on camera last November, where they blatantly chased a fox across a golf course. Thanks to footage from Beds & Bucks Hunt Sabs, the Fitzwilliam faces what could be its third Hunting Act conviction. With key figures like Parish and Whalley already having previous convictions, the hunt’s attempts to use legal injunctions as a shield are rapidly losing their power. A legal challenge is now underway to overturn the current injunction and prevent the wealthy from hiding behind legal loopholes to avoid accountability.
Avon & Somerset Police refuse to answer FOI requests asking if a CPN has been issued to the now convicted Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt.
Sab groups across the country stepped up their resistance to the illegal summer bloodsport of mink hunting, leading to a string of successful interventions:
The Dove Valley Mink Hounds were found actively hunting along the River Blithe having met at Tollgate Business Park near Rugley, using their now infamous “Big Red Pole” to dislodge hiding mink. Multiple sab groups (Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs, Northants Hunt Saboteurs, Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs, and West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs) ensured the hunt was stopped and escorted back to the meet.
Less than a week later, the Dove Valley was caught again at the same meet, this time hunting in 30-degree heat, endangering not only wildlife but also their own hounds. Nottingham and West Mids Sabs arrived and hunt staff (including a lairy Paul Larby of Albrighton Hunt fame), were forced to pack up.
In Dorset, off-duty sabs from Two Counties Hunt Sabs and Weymouth Animal Rights abandoned their anti-hunt picnic to stop the elusive Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds. Despite aggressive behavior from hunt members, saboteurs forced them to pack up.
Up north, the Northern Counties Mink Hounds were found hunting along the River Esk, a known haven for otters. Sab groups, including Sheffield Hunt Sabs, intervened and forced the hunt to retreat back to their remote meet at Rake Lane.
Salisbury Plain Hunt Sabs have been monitoring a family of foxes, one of which appears to be injured. After consulting wildlife experts, the team opted to keep a close watch and intervene only if necessary. Meanwhile, with drought conditions worsening, sabs have been placing water stations in local woodlands to support wildlife without them having to venture out of the safety of the woods.
This June saw a landmark moment in the fight against hunting. An event at the Houses of Parliament, hosted by Seamus Logan MP with Irene Campbell MP and Ruth Jones MP attended by cross-party representatives, featured a keynote speech from Baroness Sue Hayman. Also in attendance were Chris Packham, Peter Egan, Dr Jane Washington Evans, Eduardo Gonҫalves of the Campaign Against Trophy Hunting and notably our very own Chair of the Hunt Saboteurs Association.
Baroness Hayman reiterated the government’s commitment to banning so-called “trail hunting”, a tactic widely discredited as a smokescreen for illegal fox hunting. The HSA also distributed its booklet Witness the End of Hunting, outlining urgent legislative amendments, including:
This marks a critical step in turning political promises into real protection for our wildlife.
The HSA Annual General Meeting took place at the start of June, featuring valuable talks on fundraising and grassroots campaigning. A member of East Yorkshire Coast Hunt Sabs took home the prize in this year’s horn-blowing competition!
Meanwhile, West Midlands Hunt Sabs reached their fundraising goal to pay for a law firm to look into the feasibility of investigating the Secret Deal between Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Hunt. If successful, this could finally hold senior officers at Warwickshire Police to account.
Whether we’re in the fields, in the courts, or in the halls of Parliament, one thing is clear: hunt saboteurs remain at the forefront of the battle for justice for our wildlife.
We are the only organisation that works directly in the field to save wildlife through direct action.
