'Don't believe the hype - the Hunting Act CAN and WILL work' 31/10/05

The North West Hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) stated today that they were ready for what would traditionally be the start of a new fox-hunting season on November 1st. Despite media reports to the contrary hunt saboteurs, who have over 40 years experience of sabotaging hunting activities, firmly believe that the 2004 Hunting Act is a workable piece of legislation, and that the end of hunting as we know it is well on the way.

The main change this season for saboteurs sees the replacement of essential equipment such as a hunting horn with the new sabotage tools of video camera and mobile phone - pre-programmed with the local police station phone numbers.

Paul Timpson, spokesperson for the NWHSA, stated 'Hunt saboteurs traditionally use the huntsman's own tools, such as a hunting horn, against him when sabotaging a hunt. These days our essential equipment is more likely to contain a video camera to capture any illegal hunting, and a mobile phone to report it’.

He also went on to say ‘That since hunting started again in September members of the NWHSA have been attending hunts in the north west gathering information and video footage of the hunts without their knowledge’.

‘The information gathered ranged from hunts using birds of prey to disguise hunting illegally to other hunts just blatantly breaking the law. Whilst out gathering video footage it was also noted that hunt supporters numbers were down on previous years’.

‘Hunts saboteurs are perhaps best placed of all people to tell the difference between legal and illegal hunting, and whilst the bloodsports fraternity try and claim it's 'business as usual' we know for a fact it is not. It's only a matter of time before the first prosecution will be brought under the Act.'

He continued 'Our years of experience with hunts around the north west we know those who really are likely to try and carry on hunting – and rest assured that we already have our cameras trained on them. The general public also seem to be fed up with the outrageous arrogance and attitude of the hunters - as the number of tip-offs we are receiving as to the whereabouts of hunts has reached record levels.