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Media centre

League Against Cruel Sports media centre

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About the League

For as long as hunting wild animals with dogs has existed, people will have been opposed to it. The League Against Cruel Sports was founded in 1924 with the aim of banning fox hunting, stag hunting, otter hunting, hare hunting and hare coursing in the UK.

Today, sadly, we are still campaigning on many of the same issues. The League is known for being instrumental in bringing about the Hunting Act 2004 which banned hunting with hounds in England and Wales, yet we are still fighting to protect foxes, hare and deer from illegal hunting which takes place far too frequently across the UK.

Find further information about the League's history here.

The map of cruel sports

This ground-breaking interactive map shows the territory of the 299 hunts still operating in the British countryside and the species they target – foxes, hares or deer. We will be adding more information on shooting and other ‘sports’ that shows the prevalence of animal cruelty in the future.

Investigations

A lot of animal abuse and cruelty takes place out of sight, whether it be an illegal fox hunt on a windy moor, or a dog fight in an abandoned warehouse. Often the only way to expose these activities is to go undercover and up close – a dangerous business.

Our trained team of investigators, which includes ex-police officers, use a range of techniques including filming hunts from a distance to record any illegal activity. Footage taken of hunts in Scotland recently led to a review of the hunting laws there, and proved vital in stopping an attempted repeal of the Hunting Act in England and Wales.

Our unique Animal Crimewatch hotline allows anyone witnessing illegal activity in connection with cruel sports to report it to us confidentially.

Conservation

The League directly protects animals on our sanctuaries and other land – covering around 3000 acres - where we have the ‘sporting rights’, meaning that no-one is allowed to hunt or shoot animals.

Baronsdown in particular is host to a huge range of birds, animals and insects, including red deer, foxes, badgers, an important population of butterflies and rare birds such as the pied flycatcher. As a result, Baronsdown is a safe place for animals persecuted in the name of sort’ and stags and foxes have been seen fleeing hunts onto the sanctuary land.

Further journalist and media resources

  • Branding - including League logos
  • Infographics - created by the League, these graphics include statistics

Contact our media team

Telephone: 01483 524 250 (24 hours)

Email: [email protected]

 

MIKE NICHOLAS

Senior Media Relations Officer

Telephone: 01483 524 262

Mobile: 07496 496454

Email: [email protected]

EMMA JUDD

Deputy Director of Policy, Campaigns and Communications

Telephone: 01483 524 280

Mobile: 07494 399074

Email: [email protected]


Notes to Editors

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 (24hrs) or email [email protected]

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage sanctuaries to protect wildlife. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).

Published: 18th May, 2020

Updated: 23rd February, 2021

Author: Fran Jolly

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Tag cloud

Animals we Protect Campaigns Deer Deer Hunting Dog fighting Election Fox Hunting Hare hunting How to donate Hunting Hunting Act Hunting with dogs National Trust Pheasant Shooting Stag Hunting

Latest tweet

  • "Protecting animals is often hard and progress slow. But on this occasion our coalition was heartened by the dialog… https://t.co/N2HaSwwzCu

    6thMarch, 2021 @LeagueACS
  • RT @Judders15: The League and other leading animal protection groups have urged the Environment Secretary to ban 'trail' hunting o… https://t.co/b5HggjCUzZ

    5thMarch, 2021 @LeagueACS
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League statement regarding Jordi Casamitjana

© 2021 The League Against Cruel Sports. Registered charity in England and Wales (1095234) and Scotland (SC045533).
Registered in England and Wales as a company, no. 04037610. Registered office: New Sparling House, Holloway Hill, Godalming, GU7 1QZ, United Kingdom.

League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited. Registered in England and Wales as a company, no. 02880406. Registered office: New Sparling House, Holloway Hill, Godalming, GU7 1QZ, United Kingdom