RSPCA celebrates success of Hunting Act with landmark case
Guilty of deliberately hunting foxes with dogs.
The RSPCA celebrated the success of its first ever prosecution of a traditional hunt when the Heythrop Hunt today pleaded guilty to four charges of intentionally hunting a fox with dogs on several occasions* (17 December) – an activity illegal under the Act.
The case, based on footage of foxes being deliberately chased by dogs, is thought to be the first where a hunt has faced corporate charges. It is also the first taken by the RSPCA involving the prosecution of a hunt itself.
Recently retired huntsman, Julian Barnfield (06/09/63) of Chipping Norton and recently retired hunt master Richard Ward Sumner (27/07/44) of Salperton, Gloucestershire also pleaded guilty to the same charges. Both defendants retired after summons were laid in this case.
Barnfield was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs, Sumner was fined £1,800 and ordered to pay £2,500 costs and the Heythrop Hunt was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £15,000 costs. All three were ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard how independent monitors, some of whom are also associates of Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA), brought the footage, filmed on several occasions during November 2011 and February and March 2012 in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, to the attention of the RSPCA. The charity’s undercover Special Operations Unit then investigated before its Prosecutions Department undertook a thorough examination of the evidence. Based on the weight and quality of the evidence the RSPCA decided to proceed to prosecution.
RSPCA chief inspector Mike Butcher said: “The evidence in this case was incontrovertible – it clearly showed hounds being encouraged to pursue a fox. This is illegal under the Hunting Act and constitutes a wildlife crime.
“This hunt and its members were hunting foxes in direct contravention of the law for at least one whole hunting season.
“We are very grateful for the vigilance and dedication to animal welfare shown by the independent hunt monitors, including those who are members of POWA. Their footage was vital to our case.”
The RSPCA is now calling on all who act within the law by either drag or trail hunting (where hounds follow a scent or trail laid by the huntsmen rather than a live fox) to join with the charity and responsible landowners in opposing wildlife crime.
RSPCA chief executive, Gavin Grant, said: “These defendants were well aware that they were breaking the law in that their actions would lead to a fox being torn apart by dogs.
“No doubt the hunt will say that those involved have now left and they had no knowledge of this crime. But the evidence of the deliberate hunting of foxes with dogs on many occasions is crystal clear. The truth is this hunt believed that they were above the law – they were wrong.
“This law protects our beautiful wild animals. We will ensure that it is enforced as Parliament intended.
“The RSPCA is also clear that we welcome people enjoying their horses in the countryside. We will work with all those that do so and act within the law. Let us join together to that end and reject the wildlife criminals that abuse animals.”
The costs of the case were referred to by the judge. Gavin Grant said: “You cannot put a price on justice and as the animals can’t bring this case themselves – particularly when they have been torn to pieces – so we have to do it for them. We are being true to our 188 year history of fighting for justice for animals. “
He added: “The overwhelming majority of people in this country are opposed to hunting – it is time those who still take part in this illegal activity to stop then we would be able to stop spending money taking them to court.”
The vast majority of people love animals and respect the law. They can help the RSPCA protect our wildlife and bring criminals to justice by donating to the RSPCA Legal Fighting Fund (to help us bring those who abuse animals to justice):
To give £3 now text HELP to 78866 (Texts cost £3 + 1 standard network rate message)
To donate via phone, please call 0300 123 8181 now (24 hours a day)
To donate online, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/urgent
