Charity condemns ‘desperate hypocrisy’ of hunters at start of foxhunting season
As the traditional fox hunting season gets underway this weekend, a leading animal welfare charity has challenged what it says is the “desperate hypocrisy” of the hunting community.
“The hunters are telling us on the one hand that hunting is more popular than ever, and yet on the other are calling for the Hunting Act to be repealed,” said the Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, Douglas Batchelor. “If hunting is now so popular, why on earth would you bring back the cruelty? Their hypocrisy is desperate!”
Polling by Ipsos-MORI last month showed that support for the hunting ban had increased since last year, with 85% of the public supporting the ban on hare hunting and 75% supporting the ban on fox hunting. 71% of people in rural communities support the ban.
The League Against Cruel Sports employs a former police officer to train and advise Hunt Observers who attend hunts and film their activities openly and under cover.
“Our Hunt Observers have undergone further training this year and have been provided with high-tech equipment to enable them to collect quality evidence that we can then pass to the police,” said Mr Batchelor. “We are absolutely determined that we will see a dramatic increase in prosecutions this season, and hunters should be very aware that we will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.”
For further information, please contact the League’s press office on 01483 524250 or email us at press@league.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. Traditionally the fox hunting season would begin in the first week of November. The League is aware that this year, most hunts are starting on 31st October.
2. Polling by Ipsos-MORI for the League Against Cruel Sports and International Fund for Animal Welfare can be found on the Ipsos-MORI website at http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/poll.aspx?oItemId=2479
3. Evidence of illegal hunting collected by League Observers will be broadcast on the BBC’s Countryfile programme at 7pm on Sunday 1st November. The League will publish this footage on YouTube at the same time.
4. The League has launched a high profile campaign, called Keep Cruelty History, to protect the Hunting Act in the run up to the next general election. A hard hitting film has been published at www.keepcrueltyhistory.com.
5. The League’s Chief Executive, Douglas Batchelor and Chairman, John Cooper – a barrister – are available for interview by arrangement with the Press Office.
6. The League has ISDN facilities.