Hunt Havoc: Heythrop Hunt issued with Community ResolutionCommunity Resolution issued because of Hunt's 'out of control hounds'On 13 November, Gloucestershire Police's Rural Crime Team announced that the Heythrop Hunt had been issued with a Community Resolution because of its out of control hounds. This is a small step for the police, but is significant because it shows that forces can take action if they are inclined to do so.The incident in question took place on 18 October 2024. Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs explained what happened:
The sabs stated that notorious huntsman Chris Woodward was
A Community Resolution can be imposed for a low-level crime. It is, however, arguable as to whether it is low-level when hounds run riot on streets, presenting a danger to people in vehicles and family pets. Road Traffic ActHound havoc on roads and railways is all too common, and Protect the Wild repeatedly reports on incidents where drivers are endangered or when hounds are hit by vehicles and die. For this Heythrop Hunt incident, the police took action under Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act, which concerns the control of dogs on roads, and where:
However, frustratingly there are a couple of exemptions to this subsection of the law, one being if the dogs are proved:
Protect the Wild has previously pointed out:
This is yet another loophole in UK legislation which enables hunts to get away with causing chaos, mostly with impunity. Too often we see hunts being let off the hook, such as the Warwickshire Hunt, which got away with what the police called “anti-social use of the county road network”; or the Cattistock Hunt, which trespassed on the Waterloo railway line when hounds chased a fox. Protect the Wild is campaigning for the Hunting Act to be scrapped and replaced by new legislation, The Hunting of Mammals Bill, that would shut down hunts completely. One reason we need to urgently change the law is to prevent hunts from causing havoc on roads, railways and in people's gardens. The Labour government must take note that in order for any change in legislation to be effective, hunt recklessness such as that by the Heythrop needs to be punishable by more than a Community Resolution.Pick up our 2025 Calendar! Support our vital work and get twelve glorious animal photos hanging on your wall for just £8.50! Printed here in the UK by Anglia Print (a climate positive printing company) |
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