Hunt sabs ask 'What do the Kent Hounds have to hide?'

Sabs say Kent Hounds is asking its members not to share meet info or images

That time of year is coming up yet again, when hunts all over the country are gearing up for the annual PR stunt that is the Boxing Day meet. But East Kent Sabs has pointed out that one hunt seemingly has a lot to hide this Christmas.

Kent Hounds is advising its riders not to share details of the meet information; not to take photos of "hounds working"; and not to take photos that might disclose the location.

The hunt has banned body cams and Go Pros, too. Could it be that it is preemptively trying to prevent evidence being leaked of illegal hunting?

East Kent Sabs pointed out that the hunt's calendar for December is looking suspiciously empty, too, with only two meets publicly scheduled, including the Boxing Day meet. The sabs asked:

"What about their other two or three hunting meets a week that they have failed to add to the calendar? Maybe they are the not so legal events that they don't want people to know about?!!

If the Kent Hounds were a legitimate “trail hunt”, then why is this calendar not full of hunt meets and riding events? Because trail hunting doesn't exist - it's fox hunting, hidden behind a smokescreen of lies. The level of paranoia at being caught out is apparent from this quote on their website re Boxing Day."

Boxing Day protests

For the hunting industry, Boxing Day is its opportunity to try to convince the public that hunters are rural folk carrying out a harmless tradition. It's also a time when hunts will attempt to gain new members and raise money through street donations. They'll also be hoping that protesters won't come out to oppose them, but there's no doubt that animal welfare campaigners will take to the streets in their hundreds.

Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) is challenging various hunts' meets by campaigning to councils, and it is asking you to act too. AAF's current calls to action are:

Mendip Farmers Hunt, Priddy Green, Somerset

AAF says:

"Priddy Green is owned by Priddy Parish Council. Every other organiser of every other event held on the Green has to show a risk assessment and insurance to Priddy Parish Council. But not the hunt! Why? Is it because Cllr Rachel Thompson is a hunt supporter?...
Want to take action? Email the Council and ask. There are two contacts.

Rachel.thompson@priddyparish.gov.uk
parish.clerk@priddyparish.gov.uk"

Read more about the history of the campaign here.

Seavington Hunt, Crewkerne, Somerset

AAF states:

"On Boxing Day, the Seavington Hunt parade through Crewkerne. Yet on 26th October 2024, they used their hounds to pursue and tear a fox apart. The footage (link here) is very distressing to watch."

Go to the AAF action page to find out how to contact councillors, telling them that the hunt is not welcome this Boxing Day.

Ludlow Hunt, Ludlow Castle, Shropshire

AAF says:

"On Boxing Day, “the Master [of the Ludlow Hunt] and dogs…congregate inside the castle with all followers remaining outside and on Castle Square”. Yet the Castle claims that it “does not host the hunt.”

When the Meet is about to start, other redcoats ride their horses into the Castle, collect the hounds, and sweep out through the Castle gate, horn tootling etc. They then ride to the Square, where their admiring public is waiting.

So the Castle provides the backdrop, and the pageantry for the hunt’s entrance to the meet. Whatever the Castle says, they are most definitely involved. It is high time they stopped. Please help by sending the template letter, or write your own. Keep us posted."

Read more about the Ludlow Castle campaign here.

Weston and Banwell Hunt, Axbridge, Somerset

AAF gives a bit of background to the campaign against this Boxing Day meet, saying:

"For some years, the Weston & Banwell Hunt have met in the Town Square in Axbridge every Boxing Day. They occupy Square, and block the roads through Axbridge, with vehicles, horses, riders and spectators...

AAF have been campaigning in Axbridge for a few years. We have leafleted the whole town on several occasions, outreached in the Town Square every market day, surveyed locals with the Rural Survey and are now going door-to-door with our petition. We are asking the Town Trust and Town Council to tell the Weston & Banwell Hunt that they are not welcome in Axbridge."

Read more about the campaign here.