21st May 2007

Pair 'transgressed' hunting ban

Two huntsmen "blatantly" transgressed the law by leading a hunt on National Trust land, a court has heard. Richard Down and Adrian Pillivant are accused of jointly hunting wild deer with dogs during a meet at Longstone Hill, Somerset, in February 2006.

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) has brought the private prosecution at Taunton Magistrates' Court. Mr Down and Mr Pillivant are both denying the allegations and the hearing continues.

Richard Furlong, representing LACS, said: "They made no attempt to call the dogs off"

4th May 2007

Row erupts after hunt prosecution

A RENEWED war of words has erupted between hunt supporters and protestors in the wake of the successful prosecution of four hunt stewards.

Officials and saboteurs clashed during violent scenes at the Essex and Suffolk Hunt in February, which marked the second anniversary of the hunting ban.

Police were called to the incident at Norton Farm, Whatfield, which left a number of people - both stewards and protestors - with injuries, ranging from black eyes to suspected broken bones.

Four hunt stewards pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour when they appeared before magistrates at Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday .

But the sentencing - which saw all four fined and ordered to pay prosecution costs - has reignited the bitter and long-running dispute

3rd May 2007

Four men arrested on suspicion of hunting

Four men connected with the Isle of Wight hunt have been arrested on suspicion of hunting a wild mammal with dogs.

Police carried out a number of raids, including one on the Isle of Wight hunt kennels at Gatcombe in Newport, at 5am this morning.

Hampshire Police have confirmed to H&H four men are currently being held in custody: a 41-year-old from Ryde, a 61-year-old and 36-year-old from Newport and a 36-year-old from Ventnor

2nd May 2007

CAM: I LOVE KILLING, ME
Tory toff's vow to bring back fox-hunting

DAVID Cameron last night boasted how he loves blood sports and wants to bring back fox-hunting if he ever becomes Prime Minister.The Tory leader said he still found time to shoot "the odd pigeon" and that there was nothing cruel or barbaric in killing animals for fun.

Labour MP Mark Tami said: "This reveals what we have always known about David Cameron - at heart he is an old-fashioned Tory who takes pleasure in killing animals." Appearing on TalkSport radio, Mr Cameron was asked if he saw anything wrong with hunting or shooting.