Record crowds expected as sun sets on legal hunting (From Gazette & Herald)

Record crowds expected as sun sets on legal hunting

EVERY hunt in Ryedale will ride out in displays of defiance after hunting with dogs becomes illegal this weekend.

Record crowds are predicted to swell some of the hunt meetings on Saturday, after the ban officially comes into force on Friday.

The Sinnington Hunt will be joined by the Farndale Hunt and the Old Ampleforth Beagles at Lady Clarissa Collin's home, Wytherstone House, Pockley, near Helmsley, at 11am.

Frederick Fairbairn, joint master of the Sinnington Hunt, said: "There will be people attending who have probably not hunted before but want to show their support. I'm sure it will be the biggest meet we have seen for many years." The last "legal" Sinnington Hunt meet was being held at Duncombe Park today.

The Derwent hunt will meet tomorrow at Headon Farm, near Pickering, and on Saturday at their kennels in Snainton.

Edward Duke, a founder of the Real Countryside Alliance, said the Middleton Hunt will meet at Birdsall kennels on Saturday.

He said: "We will be hunting within the law. We have to go out with intent not to break the law. We will go out as a hunt and do everything in our power not to find a fox."

But some have warned that it may not be possible to prevent trained hounds chasing down a live quarry if one is found. The Hunting Act bans the pursuit of wild animals with dogs, but it specifically states that there must be the intention to hunt.

Meanwhile, the Country, Land and Business Association (CLA) is warning landowners who allow illegal hunting on their land that they could find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

It says farmers and landowners can allow a hunt to enter their land for legal hunting activities, for example drag-hunting or the exercising of hounds, but they cannot knowingly permit a hunt to use their land for illegal hunting.

The CLA's public law adviser Christopher Price said: "The important issue is for the landowner to be able to make it clear to the police that they only gave permission for legal activities. One way to achieve this is to have a detailed letter from the hunt stating precisely which activities it wishes to carry out. The landowner also needs to send a reciprocal letter back to the hunt permitting lawful activities but emphasising that the hunt is prohibited from carrying out anything that is unlawful under the Hunting Act 2004."

The maximum penalty for landowners who allow illegal hunting on their property is a fine of up to £5,000.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the force would be following guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) when it comes to policing the hunting ban. An ACPO spokeswoman said hunts, which have not been given a high priority in the national policing plan, will be policed "in the context of local priorities".

She added that breaches of the Act were not recordable offences and were not covered by national crime recording standards.

Other hunt meetings this week include:

February 16

Glaisdale and Goathland Hunts will meet at Brow House Farm, Goathland, 10.30am, and also Glaisdale Rigg at 1.30pm. Middleton Hunt will meet at Foulrice Farm, Marton-in-the-Forest at 11am.

February 17

Glaisdale and Goathland Hunts will meet at Postgate Inn, Egton Bridge at 10.30am.

February 19:

Saltersgate Farmers' Hunt will meet at The Fox and Rabbit Inn, Lockton, near Pickering at 11am. Glaisdale Hunt will meet at Fryup Village Hall at 10.30am.

Updated: 14:54 Wednesday, February 16, 2005