Time to call a halt to these cruel sports

The majority of people in the country welcomed this move to ban an outdated, barbaric activity. Their will was reflected by MPs, who voted by a 211 majority in favour of a ban. However, the progress of the Bill was halted by the House of Lords. A six month consultation process to find a compromise is nearing completion, but may be extended.

At the Hunt Saboteurs Association, we maintain that there can be no compromise on the issue of cruelty. While the wheels of bureaucracy turn, hunt saboteurs are the only people saving lives now!

While the previously unheard of practice of hunting fox cubs has received some media attention in recent years, September 1 marked the beginning of another regular hunting practice that the Countryside Alliance marching in London later in the month will be keeping quiet about.

In addition to the activity of fox hunting, packs of beagles, bassets and harriers are also kept to hunt hares. Hares are not considered to be pests (although that could not justify them being ripped to pieces by a pack of hounds). In fact they are a species facing severe compromise and risk reaching endangered species status.

Hunting is one activity that has an obviously detrimental affect on such a species, another being coursing. From September 1, in order to provide good "sport" in the main season, huntsmen will take their hounds to fields early in the morning and hunt leverets (baby hares) in an effort to train the hounds.

The hunting of animals is a practice that the majority of the country finds abhorrent.

When a species faces endangerment, hunting the young poses an obvious threat. The only salvation for these animals is the intervention of hunt saboteurs, who will use non-violent tactics such as blowing hunting horns and laying false trails.

Further information can be viewed at our website at www.huntsabs.om.uk or by writing to us at PO Box 5254, Northampton, NN1 3ZA.

Nathan Brown

Press Officer

Hunt Saboteurs

Association