Jennifer Saunders & Mid Devon Hunt reported to police
Sab | 03.01.2008 01:44 | Animal Liberation
The hunt joined by Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders has been accused by the League Against Cruel Sports of chasing foxes illegally. Ms Saunders was pictured with daughter Freya, 17, at the Mid Devon Hunt's Boxing Day meet, days after a complaint was made to the police about illegal hunting.
HUNT GROUP REPORTED TO POLICE
11:00 - 31 December 2007
The hunt joined by Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders has been accused by the League Against Cruel Sports of chasing foxes illegally.
Ms Saunders was pictured with daughter Freya, 17, at the Mid Devon Hunt's Boxing Day meet, days after a complaint was made to the police about illegal hunting.
Animal welfare protesters claim the hunt regularly flouts the law which bans fox-hunting with hounds. However, the Mid Devon Hunt are refuting the allegations.
Paul Tillsley, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "People go to monitor them quite often and I get complaints back from various people."
On December 18, Mr Tillsley said he went to watch the Mid Devon hunt for himself. The hunt began from Chagford Common on Dartmoor and he claimed: "They appeared to be chasing foxes with a pack of hounds."
Under current law, two dogs are allowed to flush out a fox, which can then be shot. More can only be used if the riders are following a chemical scent, which is called trail-hunting.
Mr Tillsley said he called police the same day to make an official complaint against the hunt, but did not know if it was being followed up.
Animal rights protesters have condemned Ms Saunders for riding with the Mid Devon Hunt, although there is no suggestion that she was involved in any illegal chase.
When asked about the claims, Ms Saunders said: "I don't break the law - we simply follow a scent.
"It's up to the police to enforce the law and I don't have a view on whether they do or don't."
However, Guy Allman, a Mid Devon huntsman, disputed claims the hunt had acted illegally and said he had not heard anything about a police investigation.
Mr Allman said: "If there has been a complaint, which there shouldn't have been, it certainly hasn't been reported to us by the police."
He said the allegation that the hunt had behaved illegally was "absolute rubbish".
Mr Allman confirmed that Ms Saunders had ridden with the Mid Devon Hunt for some time but said a particularly high profile had been given to her joining the Boxing Day meet. He suggested protesters may have seen this as an opportunity to publicise their cause, adding: "It's been blown out of proportion."
A police spokesman yesterday confirmed they had received information about a hunt involving 12 huntsmen and 20 hounds which took place on December 18 on Chagford Common.
11:00 - 31 December 2007
The hunt joined by Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders has been accused by the League Against Cruel Sports of chasing foxes illegally.
Ms Saunders was pictured with daughter Freya, 17, at the Mid Devon Hunt's Boxing Day meet, days after a complaint was made to the police about illegal hunting.
Animal welfare protesters claim the hunt regularly flouts the law which bans fox-hunting with hounds. However, the Mid Devon Hunt are refuting the allegations.
Paul Tillsley, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "People go to monitor them quite often and I get complaints back from various people."
On December 18, Mr Tillsley said he went to watch the Mid Devon hunt for himself. The hunt began from Chagford Common on Dartmoor and he claimed: "They appeared to be chasing foxes with a pack of hounds."
Under current law, two dogs are allowed to flush out a fox, which can then be shot. More can only be used if the riders are following a chemical scent, which is called trail-hunting.
Mr Tillsley said he called police the same day to make an official complaint against the hunt, but did not know if it was being followed up.
Animal rights protesters have condemned Ms Saunders for riding with the Mid Devon Hunt, although there is no suggestion that she was involved in any illegal chase.
When asked about the claims, Ms Saunders said: "I don't break the law - we simply follow a scent.
"It's up to the police to enforce the law and I don't have a view on whether they do or don't."
However, Guy Allman, a Mid Devon huntsman, disputed claims the hunt had acted illegally and said he had not heard anything about a police investigation.
Mr Allman said: "If there has been a complaint, which there shouldn't have been, it certainly hasn't been reported to us by the police."
He said the allegation that the hunt had behaved illegally was "absolute rubbish".
Mr Allman confirmed that Ms Saunders had ridden with the Mid Devon Hunt for some time but said a particularly high profile had been given to her joining the Boxing Day meet. He suggested protesters may have seen this as an opportunity to publicise their cause, adding: "It's been blown out of proportion."
A police spokesman yesterday confirmed they had received information about a hunt involving 12 huntsmen and 20 hounds which took place on December 18 on Chagford Common.
Sab