[Articles of Interest] Socialist Morals: Huntsman cautioned for chasing hare under Hunting Act

A
huntsman has been given a police caution for illegally hunting a hare –
the first case of its kind dealt with under the controversial Hunting
Act.

 

Last Updated: 4:50PM BST 07 May 2009

Nigel Bell was filmed chasing a hare by anti-hunt monitors in February this year and has been given a police caution
Photo: GETTY

Nigel Bell, 53, from the Wick and District Beagles, admitted the
breach after he was filmed chasing the animal by anti-hunt monitors in
February this year.

It is the first time anti-hunt campaigners
have successfully brought a case against a hare hunt under the Act
which was introduced in 2004, the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS)
claimed.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed Bell was cautioned on April 29 at
Thornbury police station in connection with the incident on land
between Horton and Badminton, in South Gloucestershire.

A
spokeswoman for LACS said: "Although a caution may seem like he has
been let off, it is actually a very helpful step forward in our fight
against illegal hunters.

"What this demonstrates is that the
Hunting Act is clear and enforceable and, furthermore, hunters know
this to be the case. It is also apparent that the police are aware of
what the law entails.

"This latest victory has been the result of
the dedication and commitment of League monitors, and under caution it
will be very difficult for Mr Bell to get off lightly on any further
breaches of the Act.

"In light of the fact there currently exists
more than 100 beagle packs, the incident involving Mr Bell will compel
huntsmen next season to adhere to the law."

The Wick and District
Beagles is a relatively small hunting pack that follows beagle hounds
on foot and, pre-ban, traditionally hunted hares rather than foxes or
deer.

Based in South Gloucestershire, outside Bristol, it is
well-known for bringing beagles to various country shows around the
region.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We have
investigated a couple of allegations of hunting wild animals with dogs,
initially reported in January this year in Horton.

"In connection with that incident, a 53-year-old man was given an adult caution on April 29 at Thornbury police station."

Original Story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5291266/Huntsman-cautioned-for-chasing-hare-in-first-case-of-its-kind-under-Hunting-Act.html

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