"We are dismayed": campaigners share anger at Somerset Council's stance on 'trail' hunting
The League Against Cruel Sports say 'trail' hunting needs to be banned on public land - but have slammed the local authority for backtracking on commitments
Animal welfare charity - the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) - have condemned Somerset County Council on its stance on trail hunting on its land.
Earlier this week, the LACS were joined by local residents from Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) in Bridgwater - claiming 'trail' hunting (the legal activity which follows a predetermined route, and does not involve the chasing, injuring or killing of foxes) - needs to be banned across the region.
They claim 'trail' hunting is a 'smokescreen' invented by hunts to conceal the illegal activity of fox hunting.
Back in May, the LACS and AAF launched their campaign to end trail hunting - with Councillor Sarah Dyke - lead member for climate change and the environment - endorsing their campaign when they met County Council cabinet members outside Somerset's County Hall.
However, the groups now say the backtracking of Somerset Council's stance is 'galling'.
John Petrie, regional campaigns manager for the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “We were dismayed to see Somerset Council backtracking on its support for our campaign to tackle fox hunting in the county. It follows their past endorsement for our campaign and commitment to see what can be practically achieved, earlier this year.
“It was particularly galling to hear the councillor describe trail hunting as a legal activity, which flies in the face of all the evidence we have obtained about it being a cover for fox hunting.
“It’s time for change. Somerset is still sadly a hotspot for fox hunting despite the ban so it’s time to end this barbaric activity once and for all by bringing forward a motion to end trail hunting on public land.
“We were unhappy with the response we got from council cabinet members today but the campaign will continue to finally end fox hunting on public land in Somerset for good.”
Nick Weston, Head of Campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, added: "Fox hunting is an ongoing issue, including in the county of Somerset.
"Somerset County Council had previously committed to looking into banning fox hunting on its land and seems to be reneging on that commitment now. We are both very disappointed and frustrated. Fox hunting will continue to be allowed in Somerset.
"Somerset Council originally committed to looking all the avenues they could take to minimize what fox hunting is going on in their land, and it seems now the limited amount they can do they don't seem to want to do and set it's down to the tenants on their land whether they allow this activity to happen or not.
"Fox hunting shouldn't be allowed to happen regardless of whether it's a clause of a tendency or not - you can always make commitments to review tenancies in the future, so why not do the bare minimum? It seems Somerset County Council is avoiding doing the bare minimum to tackle what is a very serious issue.
"What's most disappointing is they're describing trail hunting as a legal activity, yet all the evidence points to and not being so, so it seems very much like they're taking the easy way out rather than doing what is right.
"Tradition is no excuse for cruelty - and now it's time to change. It is a newly formed authority, and to not take a stance on this cruel activity is a strong indication of what kind of authority they're going to be in the future."
Earlier this month, the LACS revealed data retrieved between August and October 2022 claiming Somerset was in the top five of the 40 affected counties across Britain for suspected hunting.
Polling commissioned by the League and conducted independently by Find Out Now and Electoral Calculus showed that 75% of voters in Somerset backed moves to strengthen the Hunting Act.
Current law (in the 2004 Hunting Act) says it is illegal to hunt foxes with a pack of dogs, but dogs can be used to simulate hunting - otherwise known as the activity of 'trail' or 'drag' hunting - where people on foot or on horseback follow a scent along an already-determined route, without a fox being chased, injured, or killed.
A spokesperson from Somerset County Council said: “To be clear, trail hunting is a legal activity as outlined in the Hunting Act of 2004, if anyone thinks the law is being broken they should speak to Avon and Somerset Police.
“As far as we are aware there is currently no trail hunting on our land and appropriate permissions would be needed in order to do so. “
You can read more on the League Against Cruel Sports' Report here.
You can read more about the law on hunting mammals here.