FOXHUNTER FALLS FOUL OF BAN

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An Exmoor huntsman has today been convicted of breaking the controversial Hunting Act and fined £500.

Tony Wright, 52, appeared at Barnstaple magistrates court this morning after anti-hunting group the League Against Cruel Sports brought a civil action against him.

It is the first time a prosecution has been successfully brought since the Hunting Act came into force amid much opposition last year.Mr Wright was found guilty of breaching the rules which ban pursuing foxes during an Exmoor hunt on April 29th last year.

He claims he was attempting to stick within current regulations on fox-hunting, which allow hounds to be exercised, follow a scent and for foxes to be flushed out and shot, but do not permit extended chases.

The hunt was filmed by the League Against Cruel Sports and the video was handed to the court as part of the civil case.Mr Wright is said to have been urging his hounds to pursue two foxes and kill them, although he claims the dogs were under his control.

He is planning to appeal the verdict and insisted afterwards that he "had no idea" he was doing something illegal.

The pro-hunt group the Countryside Alliance claims the verdict will lead to increased confusion over what is and is not permitted by the 2004 act."No right-minded person thinks that Tony Wright should have been branded a criminal," the alliance's chief executive, Simon Hart, said."If people were confused about the Hunting Act before today they will be a lot more confused now. We believe that he was trying to comply with the law as he understood it and will be supporting his appeal."

But the League Against Cruel Sports say the judge's decision today made it "absolutely clear" that it is a crime to chase a fox with hounds."People who hunt do so because they wish to torment a fox," the league's chief executive, Douglas Batchelor, said."The Hunting Act has taken away their playtime.

I would now expect the police to be visiting their local hunts to make it clear that they are not allowed to pursue foxes. If we become aware of other hunts acting illegally we will have no hesitation in passing on the information to the appropriate authorities."

Avon and Somerset police had decided not to take action against Mr Wright because of a lack of evidence, the league said

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