North Cotswold Huntsman Oliver Dale Charged With A Trio Of Illegal Hunting Incidents

Oliver Dale, huntsman and Master of the North Cotswold Hunt, has been charged with three instances of illegal hunting under the Hunting Act by Gloucestershire Police.

The alleged offences took place at various locations on three dates; the first took place during a cubbing meet on 12 Oct 2024, then at the Opening Meet on 02 Nov 2024, the third incident occurred just a fortnight later on 16th Nov 2024. The first incident resulted in a fox being killed, with some of the body parts of the victim being retrieved by police, and in the later two incidents the fate of the animals are unknown. The evidence was compiled by Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs who were present at each meet and witnessed the illegal hunting, also providing video footage and statements to Gloucestershire Police.

Dale was recently given a Conditional Caution for an assault against a member of the sab group, when he physically attacked a female member who was flying a drone, attempting to steal the controller from her hand after pinning her against the fence with his horse and dragging her around; she was left with multiple injuries and bruises and attended A&E. He was questioned by “appalled” officers from Gloucestershire Rural Crime Team who arrested him for Assault by Beating four days after the attack. As well as the Caution he was told to attend a ‘victim awareness course’ and write a letter of apology to the injured sab. Read more at Drone Wars Reach New Heights! – Hunt Saboteurs Association

Dale (bottom right) pinned a female hunt sab against the fence in November 2024 as she flew her drone to monitor the hunt. He goes on to assault the hunt sab for which he is arrested and receives a Conditional Caution. © Three Counties Hunt Sabs

Dale is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Wednesday 14th May 2025 to answer the illegal hunting charges.

An HSA spokesperson commented:

“Once again it is the relentless work and bravery of hunt saboteurs which is responsible for putting yet another serial abuser of wildlife in front of the courts, the three incidents above were attended by hunt sabs from Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs who attended the meets to try and prevent the killing and they are the ones who provided evidence to police. It is also the work of hunt sabs all over the country who are responsible for dragging the police kicking and screaming to properly investigate and act against incidents of illegal hunting some 20 years after the ban on hunting mammals with dogs came into force.

We welcome the government’s announcement in the last few weeks, to hold a consultation on finally banning the loopholes exploited and manipulated by hunters to avoid the courts, and to finally deal with the appalling sentencing guidelines which prevent fox hunters from facing any meaningful justice on the occasions where the police and CPS have successfully secured a conviction. Until then, hunt saboteurs are the only ones putting themselves into hostile environments and often in the face of extreme violence, in trying to stop the killing and providing this evidence to police.”