SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL FACING BACKLASH FOR ALLOWING FOXHOUNDS ON LUDLOW’S STREETS

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Shropshire Council faces backlash over Boxing Day hunt exemptions ROB POWNALL SEP 28 READ IN APP Image: Herefordshire Hunt Sabs Every Boxing Day, the Ludlow Hunt parades its pack of foxhounds through Ludlow town centre. Dozens of dogs run loose, weaving through crowds of people and children. Any ordinary dog owner who allowed this would be fined on the spot. But because it’s a hunt, Shropshire Council turns a blind eye. Last year, campaigners at Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) succeeded in blocking the Hunt from beginning its parade inside Ludlow Castle. Instead, the meet spilled out onto the streets — with the Council granting a road closure under an archaic Victorian law (the Town Police Clauses Act 1847). Before that, the Hunt had simply blocked roads without permission. At the same time, Shropshire has a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that bans dogs from running freely in public areas. Break the rules, and you face a £100 fine. Yet the Council has refused to apply the PSPO to the Ludlow Hunt’s hounds. AAF has repeatedly challenged this decision, raising concerns about public safety and fair enforcement. Their evidence shows that hounds at public events can pose hygiene risks and that the Council has been inconsistent in how it enforces the rules. Despite detailed correspondence, campaigners say their concerns have been dismissed with contradictory and inaccurate replies. One council response described the Ludlow Hunt as a “humane drag hunt” — yet the Hunt itself openly states it uses fox scent, making it a trail hunt, a practice the Government has already signalled it intends to ban. Other council replies suggested that hunting is akin to “farming activity,” despite hunts being private businesses. The result is a clear double standard: hunts appear to be given exemptions not available to anyone else. That’s why, ahead of this year’s Boxing Day meet, we are supporting AAF’s call for Shropshire Council to enforce its own rules. No unleashed hounds in town centres. No dangerous exemptions. No more privileges for hunts. 👉 Sign the petition now to tell Shropshire Council: Stop putting hunts above the law. Enforce the PSPO this Boxing Day. Sign the petition Together, we can make sure that Boxing Day in Ludlow is about community, not cruelty, and that the law applies equally to everyone. Help power the fight for British wildlife We’re funded entirely by kind people like yourself. We don’t have major donors or govt backing and so that’s why over the coming weeks you’ll see us doing all that we can to push our 2026 Wildlife Calendar. It’s just such a great way for us to raise funds and you get an awesome calendar in return! :) Packed with beautiful wildlife photos taken by our incredible supporters, like this one by Eve Aylott for the month of May! Protect the Wild 2026 Calendar SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing