Badger baiter jailed after dogs badly hurt

A MAN has been looked up for six months after being found guilty of taking part in the “barbaric sport” of badger baiting.

John William Lee was arrested as he walked through a busy town centre while blood dripped from the face of one of his dogs.

The 40-year-old was also carrying a rucksack on his back with a garden spade sticking out of the top. When his bag was searched, an eight-inch machete was found.

At his trial at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Lee, of Farndale Avenue, Middlesbrough, denied one charge of wilfully attempting to take a badger and two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to his two dogs.

But the court was told that one of his dogs was in such a terrible condition that a member of the public flagged down a police officer.

Lee was arrested in the middle of the afternoon on January 26 last year as he made his way through Yarm town centre.

Matthew Brash, television vet and badger expert, told the court the wounds on the Plummer terrier were the type associated with badger bites.

But Lee’s solicitor Nic Woodhouse said: “There was no evidence that any badger had been injured by his dogs and there was no evidence that any badger had been found dead.

“My client suffers from mental health issues and anger management problems. When he has these problems he takes himself away into the country for a couple of weeks until he calms down.”

Magistrates found Lee guilty and sentenced him to six months for wilfully attempting to take a badger. He was also sentenced to two months concurrent for causing unnecessary suffering to his dogs and for allowing them to come in contact with wild animals.

The court heard the cost of bringing the case and kennel fees was in excess of £10,000, but due to Lee’s lack of income no court costs were imposed. Both dogs are still in the care of the RSPCA.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Mark Gent said: “This sentence sends out a strong message to the people that are intent on taking part in this so-called sport.

“Badger baiting is still a problem and the RSPCA will respond to any information that we are given from members of the public.

“This is a cruel and barbaric sport and it should be stopped.”

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/search/display.var.2156260.0.badger_baiter_jailed_after_dogs_badly_hurt.php

Hunting hound killed on road

A pack of fox hounds caused traffic chaos as they ran across a busy dual carriageway on Saturday. One dog was hit by a vehicle and killed in the incident, which happened at about 1pm, on the A380 at Ideford Dip, near Newton Abbot, South Devon.

The dogs, which form part of the Britannia Beagles in South Devon, broke away from a trail hunt and ran across both sides of the carriageway into the path of moving traffic. It was 40 minutes before they were herded into a nearby field.

A Britannia Beagles spokesman said: “The hounds were following a trail when a handful broke away from the hunt and ran towards the road. We tried to stop them before they reached the carriageway but some made it on to the road.”

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Protesters slam hunt ‘chaos’

Protesters have slammed a “chaotic” hunt, which was called off early after 25 hounds repeatedly ran across a Peak District road.

Anti-hunt campaigners said huntsmen lost control of their hounds, who ran after hares on numerous occasions, during the hunt near Monyash last Saturday.

North West Hunt Saboteurs Association put a video online which it said showed hounds putting lives at risk by running back and forth over a road while searching for a hare.

High Peak Hunt organisers said they intended to follow a pre-placed scent, but the dogs were led astray by strong winds.

Paul Timpson, from NWHSA, said: “This is the second time they’ve lost control and got separated from the scent they’re hunting.

“Saturday was really bad. It was complete chaos and the dogs just wandered off chasing hares.

“How can this happen if they were following a scent?”

But joint master of the hunt Bob Graham denied the hunt was out of control, and said there were definite systems for crossing roads.

Mr Graham said: “It wasn’t chaos at all, but it really was very windy so the hounds had trouble finding the scent.

“Because of that we ended early.”

He said hares occasionally appeared during hunts and dogs would be stopped, but it was not a regular occurrence.

“I didn’t see that on Saturday, but if it did happen then the hounds will have been quickly called back,” added Mr Graham.

Mr Timpson said since the new hunting act was introduced in 2004 the NWHSA’s main role was to monitor hunts.

It only intervened when animals were being hunted, he added.

Insp Brian Hall, from Bakewell police, said officers filmed the hunt and protesters on Saturday, but were happy with proceedings and no incidents were reported.

http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/news/Protesters-slam-hunt-39chaos39.3861373.jp

Anger as hunting dogs run into home

A VILLAGER is furious after two hunting hounds ran into his home during a meet, he claims.

Frank Holcombe, 49, of The Crescent in Swayfield, says he was shocked at the actions of about 20 hounds running through the village on Thursday, las tweek

At about 1.30pm Mr Holcombe was carrying out DIY to his home when he says he first heard a commotion outside.
He went to investigate the noise and found a pack of hounds wunning with the Cottesmore Hunt.

Mr Holcombe, a cabinet and furniture maker, said: “The hunting dogs came through the village and were completely out of control.

“There was a pack of about 20 waist-high hounds – they were scattered across the village, rampaging and barging through my neighbours’ hedges.”

Moments later Mr Holcombe says he found two dogs in his house. He said: “They entered through the patio doors lathered-up in mud. I managed to usher them out the house and they went off.”

Mr Holcombe says he spoke to someone on the hunt immediately afterwards to express his disgust and was told the hunters had laid a drag scent which had gone off line.

But Mr Holcombe is not satisfied with the explanation. He said: “We’ve got three cats and it is a wonder none of them were killed.
“This should be re-dressed and there should be some responsibility. In the future, inadvertently is a child going to be injured?”

Jane Knight, who led the Cottesmore Hunt on the day, said she had been to visit Mr Holcombe to try and allay concerns. She said: “We are looking at ways of improving communications and in the future we will try and talk to people about the hunts. We hope this issue can be put to rest.”

Superintendent Kieran English, of Lincolnshire Police, said a call about the hunt had been received but no action was taken. He said: “The police do understand residents’ concerns about the disturbance the hunt can cause and recommend the hunt master is contacted to raise concerns directly.”

http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/Anger-as-hunting-dogs-run.3855358.jp