29 October 2011

A leading animal welfare charity is stepping up its efforts to catch people illegally hunting.

The League Against Cruel Sports plans to invest more than a million pounds over the next four years on hiring investigations staff and equipment to gather evidence and get hunts into court. Despite polling showing that three quarters of the public support the ban, the League believes that the majority of hunts are flouting the law.

“This is the seventh hunting season under the ban, but all the evidence suggests that hunts are getting more lawless than ever.” said Joe Duckworth, the League’s chief executive. “Appointing investigations officers around the country will enable us to increase our efforts in gathering evidence for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.”

The League employs retired police officers who review evidence and provide training on the Hunting Act to serving officers.

Two weeks ago, after an undercover investigation by the League, two staff from the Fernie Hunt in Leicestershire were convicted of breaking the Hunting Act and the Protection of Badgers Act and ordered to pay more than £10,000 in costs and fines. The judge in the case praised the League’s investigations work and said the hunt was engaged in ‘cynical subterfuge’ by pretending to trail hunt.

The League runs a ‘Hunt Crimewatch’ service gathering information and intelligence on hunt related crime, and passes information to police forces and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. Adverts carrying the Hunt Crimewatch number are appearing in regional newspapers across England and Wales from today.

“Our focus is not only on the illegal hunting, but on all the crimes committed by the hunts,” said Mr Duckworth. “Hunts cause all manner of anti-social behaviour, from blocking roads, running hounds down railway tracks, and savaging pets in people’s gardens. This pernicious side of hunting is often unseen but it has the biggest effect of people in rural communities.”

Recent incidents reported to Hunt Crimewatch include foxes being killed, hunt hounds running along main railway lines, hunts blocking country lanes, and even hunt supporters threatening members of the public.

“Our message to hunts is very clear. There are more cameras, under more bushes, operated by more investigations staff than ever before. Hunt within the law or expect to he held to account for your actions,” warned Mr Duckworth.

The Huffington Post, October 29th 2011

Today, right across the country, thousands of supporters of fox hunting will be assembling for the first meet of the season, the seventh since the ban came into force in 2005.

Please read the full article here;http: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/joe-duckworth/fox-hunting-season_b_1063513.html

The Yorkshire Post 29th October 2011

Anti-hunt campaigners to spend over £1m in bid to collar offenders

By Mark Casci Agricultural Correspondent

Published on Saturday 29 October 2011 06:00

A LEADING animal welfare charity is to invest more than a million pounds in a scheme to catch people illegally hunting.

Please read the full article here; www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/environment/anti_hunt_campaigners_to_spend_over_1m_in_bid_to_collar_offenders_1_3919368

£1m bid to stop ‘illegal’ hunting

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Western Morning News 29th October 2011

Please read the full article here;http: www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/pound-1m-bid-stop-illegal-hunting/story-13697630-detail/story.html

PM Declares all crimes should be investigated with full force of the law

Written by Joshua of The League Against Cruel Sports on 28 October, 2011 : 09:02

“This week’s Prime Ministers’ Question Time saw David Cameron declare that ‘crime is crime and it should be investigated and prosecuted with the full force of the law’, which is fantastic news for all law enforcers and law abiders alike. Now I know that I may disagree with the Prime Minister on the issue of hunting with dogs, as he unfortunately supports its repeal, but it is great to see that the Prime Minister sees no distinction between laws, whether he agrees with them or not

As a result, I am sure that David Cameron will be keen to congratulate the League on committing significant resources into investigations staff and equipment to gather evidence and get hunts to court. With the vast majority of the public supporting this landmark piece of legislation I am sure that Mr Cameron will be delighted to see his ‘Big Society’ in action with the League supporting the work of the police, not to mention providing training to police forces up and down the country ensuring they can carry out their duties as effectively as possible.

There have been over 180 convictions under the Hunting Act since being enacted in 2005 but there are still a number of hunts and individuals who continue to break the law. The League’s investigations department will support the police to ensure that anybody who breaks the law, is held responsible under it.

So there you go Prime Minister, here is a charity that has taken up your challenge of the Big Society and is using its resources to provide services as you have suggested numerous times. Together, with your help we can support the Prime Ministers’ vision and ensure that ‘crime is crime’ and is investigated with the full force of the law.”

We need you to be our eyes and ears in the countryside.

 

The League relies on information received from supporters and members of the general public. If you have any information about a hunt’s meet dates or if you have seen suspicious activity and believe that a wildlife crime has occurred please call our Crimewatch line on 01483 524 250 or fill out our online form.

Crimewatch – What can you do?

We need you to be our eyes and ears in the countryside.

The League relies on information received from supporters and members of the general public. If you have any information about a hunt’s meet dates or if you have seen suspicious activity and believe that a wildlife crime has occurred please call our Crimewatch line on 01483 524 250 or fill out our online form.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

•Organised hunts or group of individuals using dogs to chase a mammal (usually foxes, deer, hares, otters and mink)

•Hunt Havoc – hounds invading private property, damaging crops, stampeding and killing livestock, running through gardens, killing pet cats and dogs, and causing accidents on roads and railway lines etc

IT’S NOT JUST HUNTING

We are also interested in reports about other types of crimes involving animals being used in sports.

•Dog fighting: If you hear reports or think a dog is being trained for dog fighting please contact us

•Shooting: If you are troubled by your local shoot, seen pheasants shot but not killed outright or any other antisocial behaviour observed

•Snaring: Please contact us if you have seen illegal snares being used, snares not being checked, snares set in paths known to be used by badgers, or if your pet has been caught in a snare

EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION IS VITAL SO IF YOU HAVE SEEN A POTENTIAL CRIME PLEASE MAKE A REPORT TODAY.

All information is treated in the strictest confidence