Fox-hunting: Tension on the trail is worse than ever

Tom Wright, huntsman of the Holderness Hunt, said the monitoring group’s behaviour is harassment

A hunt in East Yorkshire and the volunteers who monitor it say tension between the two groups is at an all-time high.

Fox-hunting was banned in 2004 but the Holderness Hunt, like many hunts across the country, mimics the traditional countryside sport with the legal activity of trail-hunting. This involves laying an animal-based scent trail for their hounds to chase.

A spokesman for a group called Hull Wildlife Protectors claims trail-hunting is a "smokescreen" to mask the killing of wild animals with dogs. A spokesman for the Holderness Hunt, based near Beverley, says "accidents will happen" during trail-hunting, which can lead to the death of wildlife.

Humberside Police has been approached for comment.

Leo from Hull Wildlife Protectors said it is a non-violent group

‘It can make you quite anxious'

Leo from Hull Wildlife Protectors did not want to give his full name. He said "it is a necessity" that members watch and record the Holderness Hunt every time they meet "to monitor for any wildlife crimes".

The volunteer said his group has reported three incidents of wildlife crime to Humberside Police this year and that two are still being investigated.

According to the Holderness Hunt, none of its members has been charged with any wildlife crimes this year.

Tom Wright, huntsman for the Holderness Hunt, said the monitoring group’s behaviour amounts to trespass and harassment.

He described how masked strangers sit in cars outside the kennels where he works, sometimes at 03.30 GMT.

"It can make you quite anxious," said Mr Wright. "You never know who is behind the mask."

Hull Wildlife Protectors admit they watch the kennels but said they have to because Holderness Hunt refuses to share details of when its trail-hunting events start.

A spokesperson for the group said only a minority of its members wear masks to conceal their identities.

Leo said intimidation goes both ways. He says members of the hunt have told him that “they know who I am, my name, where I live”.

A spokesperson for Holderness Hunt agrees that tension between the two groups is growing.

‘Insufficient evidence’

One of Holderness Hunt's hounds awaits the last chase of the season

The BBC has seen footage of wild animals being killed during trail-hunts.

In an incident from 2023 Holderness Hunt’s hounds clearly kill a fox that diverted their attention from the pre-laid scent trail.

The BBC has seen an email from Humberside Police confirming that it investigated the incident but that "no further action" would be taken.

In the email Humberside Police explains that this is because of "insufficient evidence" that the kill was "intentional".

Leo said this left the group "deflated" and the "lacklustre" law has "many loopholes" that need closing.

Last year a senior police officer said the law on fox-hunting was not working.

Ch Supt Matt Longman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on fox-hunting, also labelled trail-hunting a "smokescreen" for the illegal persecution of animals.

He was speaking at the launch of a coalition against illegal hunting led by the League Against Cruel Sports and backed by more than 30 charities including the RSPCA.

William Bethell, master of the Holderness Hunt, said hunting is "stronger than the church" for some in the countryside. He said it is important that it continues because many rural jobs rely on it.

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