Somerset hunt hits back over Boxing Day hygiene and road closure claims
Animal welfare campaigners raise concerns over public risk at Chard Boxing Day meet
Members of a Somerset hunt have hit back over claims that their annual Boxing Day meet poses a “high risk” to the public’s safety.
The Cotley Hunt (also known as the Cotley Harriers) has its headquarters in the Blackdown Hills near the Somerset-Devon border, and holds its Boxing Day meet outside the Guildhall in Chard town centre.
Alyson Rogers, a member of Action Against Foxhunting (AAF), publicly criticised the hunt at Somerset Council’s last full council meeting before Christmas, accusing the organisers of putting the public in jeopardy due to poor animal hygiene and not following the proper process of securing road closures.
The hunt has responded that it takes the safety of its animals and the public very seriously and had followed the correct procedures for closing off the A30 Fore Street on Boxing Day.
Ms Rogers made her allegations when the full council met in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (December 17) – allegations which were subsequently repeated on leaflets posted through letterboxes across Chard in the run-up to Christmas.
She said: “Early next year, the government is expected to ban trail hunting.
“Meanwhile, hunts are still parading in our towns and villages, while the public are unaware of the risk’s hunts are allowing to happen, such as no authorised road closure.
“Despite the council’s traffic management team contacting hunts to let them know they need to apply, some hunts choose to ignore them, meaning there are no checks by the council.”
Following the hunting ban which came into force in February 2005, hunts in England can only undertake trail hunting – where the hounds follow pre-laid trails using an artificial fox based scent across land, rather than hunting live animals.
The government announced its new animal welfare strategy on Monday (December 21), which includes a commitment to banning trail hunting on the basis that certain hunts may have been using it to disguise illegal hunting.
Ms Rogers further claimed that local hunting hounds had been “fed on raw fallen stock” and could carry a range of “transmissible diseases”.
She elaborated: “Last year at the Tiverton Meet, a sample taken by a councillor from a hound’s faeces proved positive for salmonella. Hunts encourage children to pet the hounds.
“A petting zoo last summer had an outbreak of chryptosporidium where 89 people were affected, despite very high hygiene regulations.
“Hunts have no form of hygiene at this event apart from the odd bottle of antibacterial spray, which is ineffective.
“If hunts bother with insurance, their usual insurers, Lycetts, exclude cover for the transmission of communicable disease.
“Hunt horses are unused to busy towns and crowds; they are unpredictable, and some wear coloured ribbons, which denotes ‘caution’.
“No doubt at this year’s Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets. feelings will be running high amongst hunt supporters with the impending new hunting law.
“Bullying and violence often erupt and the police rarely attend these events.
“What is this council going to do about these high-risk events?”
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, social housing, culture, equality and diversity, responded to Ms Rogers that the majority of her concerns were a matter for the local police.
Ms Smith-Roberts (who represents the Taunton East division) said: “For myself personally, I’m against hunting; however, when it comes to the council, we follow different rules and legislation.
“When it comes to our highways, there are no grounds for us to prevent the use of the highway based purely on the type of event.
“When planning an event on the public highways, a temporary road closure must be applied for.
“As with any application to close the highways for an event, we can only decline on traffic management or safety grounds.
“If any event closes the highway without permission, this is generally a matter for police enforcement – particularly if it involves vehicles or raises issues of public order.
“Anyone suspecting illegal hunting activities in Somerset should also report this matter to Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
“If you have done that, I would also recommend that you make a complaint to the police and also contact the police and crime commissioner, so that she Clare Moody is aware in relation to any concerns.”
The Cotley Hunt said it had followed proper procedures regarding the necessary road closures, and that it took the safety of both the public and its animals incredibly seriously.
A spokesperson said: “We apply for a road closure licence every year for our Boxing Day meet in Chard and meet all the regulatory requirements. Details of our public liability insurance are submitted as part of this process.
“We provide an essential service to local farmers around Chard and Axminster by collecting fallen stock.
“Our hounds are fed a controlled and professionally managed diet, the majority of which is a dry prepared dog meal.
“They follow a regular veterinary worming programme, including treatment prior to Christmas. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is available for anyone who wishes to pet the hounds.
“As for our mounted followers, only horses that are accustomed to noise, crowds and town environments are brought into Chard.
“Any horses judged unsuitable for the setting remain outside the town, as has always been the case.
“We are proud of our hounds and of the long-standing connection between the Cotley Harriers and the town of Chard.
“It is a privilege to celebrate Boxing Day with the many people who come out to see the hounds, horses and supporters.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure the event remains safe, enjoyable and welcoming for all.”