Warwickshire Hunt Member Guilty of Illegal Fox Hunting!

Warwickshire Hunt member Benjamin Halsall, 24, from Whatcote Road, Shipston- on-Stour, was yesterday found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs after hounds were filmed killing a fox.

On 9th October 2023 a member of Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs filmed the Warwickshire Hunt killing a fox. Minutes earlier West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs had filmed a fox fleeing from the Warwickshire Hunt hounds. A hunt member, Ben Halsall, was positioned at the top of Idlicote Hill as the hounds could be heard hunting just below him. A fox can be seen running from the wood past the Three Counties Saboteur and towards Halsall. The fox is then turned back by Halsall towards the hounds in the woods where it is killed by the pack moments later.

Whilst attempting to stop the kill, the member of Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs was thrown to the floor by a hunt member. This assault along with the kill was reported to Warwickshire Police. The investigation into the assault had to be dropped due to the hunt member fleeing the country. 

Halsall was later charged under the Hunting Act and after a two-day trial at Coventry Magistrates Court Halsall was found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs and ordered to pay a fine of £2000.

A spokesperson for Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs said:

“Three Counties were there that day supporting West Midlands Hunt Sabs. The Warwickshire hunt blatantly and deliberately hunted this fox which ended with them being ripped apart by the hounds. Witnessing an act of such horrific cruelty so close was deeply distressing. Hunting is still happening week in week out and wildlife is being killed in front of our eyes”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs commented:

“This confirms what we have been saying for a long time – the Warwickshire Hunt are regularly illegally hunting and killing foxes. They are operating as an organised crime group. It’s clear that foxes are still being hunted and killed 20 years after the Hunting Act was originally brought in. A £2000 fine is clearly not enough of a deterrent. The government needs to fulfil its promise to strengthen the Hunting Act.”

The Hunt Saboteurs Association added:

“Hunt saboteurs are the only ones stepping in to try and save foxes’ lives, and gather the evidence needed to bring cases to court. Without their bravery, foxes would be killed every week with no accountability. The courage and determination of these individuals highlights the need for stronger wildlife protections and ensures that these crimes don’t go unnoticed. It’s because of them that the fight to end fox hunting remains in the public eye and justice continues to be pursued.”

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