Greene King urged to ban fox hunt meets
Posted 16th January 2019
Greene King is facing calls to roll out a nationwide ban on hunts meeting at its pubs amid new reports hunts are still chasing and killing British wildlife.
The League Against Cruel Sports has written to Chief Executive, Rooney Anand, following the hospitality giant’s Tredegar Arms in Bassaleg banning the Tredegar Farmers’ Hunt after “serious opposition.”
In its letter, the League cites over 151 reports of illegal hunting received by the charity since the hunting season opened on 1st November. Terrified foxes have been chased to exhaustion across the English countryside, before being torn apart in the jaws of hunting hounds, with at least 21 foxes witnessed being killed this season alone.
Chris Luffingham, Director of Campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, says:
“By banning the Tredegar Farmers’ Hunt from meeting at its venue, the Tredegar Arms has done the right thing. With 85% of the public opposing fox hunting, it is clear the company’s association with bloodsports is not in tune with its customers’ expectations or values.
“We urge Greene King to now roll out a nationwide ban on hunts meeting at its pubs in the light of foxes being chased and killed by hounds across the country.”
Large groups of hunt riders and hounds meeting creates a health and safety hazard – with highways obstructed and passers-by, including families with young children, forced into narrow spaces. It is only a matter of time before somebody is injured as a direct result of these chaotic scenes and no risk assessment can realistically mitigate that likelihood, the League adds.
Violent clashes have also taken place between proponents and opponents of fox hunting during recent town-centre hunt meets, including at the Tredegar Arms on Boxing Day, after deep-rooted community tensions ran high.
Chris Luffingham adds:
“These brutal incidents, in which wild animals have lost their lives after being torn apart by packs of dogs, not only reflects on the hunts themselves – but anybody who allows them to continue operating. The business opportunity presented for Greene King to lead from the front by committing to not allowing hunting packs to meet at its venues speaks for itself.”
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