Betrayal unless Hunt Act is strengthened
The High Court ruling has confirmed that the only way forward is for the Government to strengthen the Hunting Act.
It is wishful thinking on the part of the bloodsports organisation, the so-called Countryside Alliance, to say that the Act is "dead in the water".
It is now time for the people sitting behind desks to stop pretending that there is nothing wrong with the Hunting Act.
It is time for them to take notice of what the hunt monitors are telling them, that foxes, hares, deer and mink (particularly foxes) continue to be hunted to a cruel and terrifying death.
The main problem is that there is no "reckless behaviour" clause in the legislation.
This omission has allowed hunts to carry on flouting the intention of the Act by allowing them to carry on killing as before the ban.
It is time for all the anti-hunt groups to say with one voice that the Government must carry out the wishes of the majority of the people, and make sure this Act is enforceable, by calling for a "cause or permit" clause to be added to the Act.
This clause, will put an end to hunters being able to claim that it was an accident when they chase and kill a wild animal, or someone's pet cat or dog.
As the Western Daily Press said on its Comment page, it is time to "grasp the nettle".
To do otherwise will betray the hunted animals we are all working so hard to protect, and it will also be a betrayal to all those who voted for a ban on hunting.
Helen Weeks West Coker Somerset
12 Comments
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by Charles Henry, Somerset
Friday, February 13 2009, 7:56PM
“Another 'activist' who doesn't know their @ss from there breakfast. . The majority of lambing does take care under cover these days, but there will always be late lambers. . Plastic coats are also used by many if conditions get too unfavourable. . Newly born lambs are well able to cope with most of what nature throws at them, as long as they are protected from that super-sly vermin, the fox.”
by c davies, somerset
Thursday, February 12 2009, 7:56PM
“Should newly born lambs be left exposed in fields to be predated upon,and exposed to harsh weather conditions anyway?
Why aren't they provided shelter at lambing time?”
by Justin, Cornwall
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 9:42PM
“What a pathetic creature you are Mr. Bradshaw. Your ilk will never win. I'm glad you don't live near me.”
by giles bradshaw, Rose Ash
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 6:32PM
“The fox hounds were here today/. Everyone was having a great time and not an anti in sight :) :) :)
If there had been I'd have kicked them off my land! Tally ho!!”
by Shaun Freke, Gloucestershire
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 2:06PM
“What I find most amusing is that it now appears that not all anti hunt group want to sing the same song. The recently leaked memo from LACS director Douglas Batchelor clearly questions whether it should back off making any moves towards tightening the hunting acts for fear of stirring up pro hunt feeling. In light of the increasing numbers of hunt members and new supporters it seems to me that the anti hunt brigade doesn't know whether to stick or twist. I await the outcome with interest and can't help wondering if the law is tightened how the battle between the LACS and RSPB will go once the twitchers start to question where all of our ground nesting birds have gone.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 2:01PM
“I like the weather Charles.”
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 9:35PM
“Well as it stands at the moment it's like a ladies umbrella in a force 10 gale. . All they'll be monitoring now is the weather.”
by Justin, Cornwall
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 8:41PM
“So,the British legal system does work after all. All loopholes must be closed. This is a great British law. LONG MAY THIS LAW STAND.”
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 3:26PM
“Helen, in case you hadn't noticed, there's a Credit Crunch. . Millions of people are terribly concerned about their futures, but after already wasting over 700 hours of parliamentary time on the ridiculous Hunting Act; that should have been spent on time talking about measures to keep this country afloat.; you just insist on prattling on about this issue that is now dead in the water. . No politician worth his salt would now dare waste any more time with it. . It's now time to throw in the towel.”
by Chris, Wiltshire
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 3:09PM
“Excellent letter Helen, sums up the situation perfectly.”