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 Barnsfield (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.
Oxford Magistrates are considering sentencing today
-ends-
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Once upon a time the RSPCA told the Uncomfortable Tail of Britain's
forgotten farm animal. Find out more about our Like a Duck to Water
campaign: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/farm/ducks
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