Percy Hunt starts Northumberland hunting season

Posted by The Journal on Nov 2, 09 03:57 PM in News

The Percy Hunt got under way in Northumberland for the first time this season on Saturday.

Many believe this could be the final start to a season before the controversial hunting ban is repealed.

The Tories have promised to provide government time for a free vote if they win power in the general election expected in the spring.

Steve Clark, of the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance, was in Alnwick to support the hunt.
He said: "It was a very well attended hunt and there were a lot of happy faces. There was a good atmosphere.

"Four or five years ago people were really downbeat. The ban was just about to come in and a lot of people though the hunts would not survive.

"But we have fought through the ban and kept going thanks to tremendous support from many people."

Controversially, Mr Clark said he was confident that the ban on hunting with dogs would be repealed whether or not the Conservative Party won the next general election.

He claimed: "It is just unworkable. Millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been wasted trying to enforce a law which just does not work. We have support on all sides of the house and I believe it will be repealed."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has told MPs that the Tories appeared to want to see foxes being "ripped to pieces" in the countryside again.

He said: "I think it shows where public sentiment and opinion lies.

"In the light of that, I find it very hard to understand why members opposite want to change the law so that once again foxes can be ripped to pieces by hounds.

"Because that is the change in the law they appear to be seeking."

More pictures from the Percy Hunt's first meet of the 2009 season »

We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos