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On Boxing Day, trail hunting events took place across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, just days after the government unveiled plans to prohibit the sport. Although fox hunting has been illegal for two decades, new legislation aims to ban trail hunting as well. This activity involves hounds following a scent trail laid out beforehand, designed to imitate hunting without harming live animals.
Laurence Bradley, a member of Hull Wildlife Protectors who was demonstrating at the Holderness Hunt on Beverley Westwood, expressed support for the proposed ban, describing it as “overdue.” In contrast, Polly Portwin from the Countryside Alliance voiced strong opposition, stating the group would “fight tooth and nail” to prevent the legislative change.
Gerrard Farmer, master of the Holderness Hunt, defended trail hunting by emphasizing that no wild animals are disturbed during these events. He explained that participants enjoy riding, socializing, and benefiting both physically and mentally from being outdoors. Farmer insisted that the social aspect of trail hunting is significant and should not be overlooked. Meanwhile, similar gatherings took place in other parts of Lincolnshire, including Coleby and Grange De Lings.
The government announced its intention to ban trail hunting earlier in the week as a component of a broader animal welfare strategy. Portwin highlighted the Countryside Alliance’s desire to safeguard jobs, homes for hunt staff, and their packs of hounds. She emphasized the community’s resilience and the vital role it plays for many people living throughout Lincolnshire. Meanwhile, concerns persist about trail hunting being used as a cover for illegal hunting of wild animals. Baroness Hayman, the animal welfare minister, described this as “not acceptable,” a sentiment echoed by Bradley, who alleged that some hunt groups have continued practices similar to those before the fox hunting ban.
Charlotte Smith, co-founder of Hull Wildlife Protectors, accused hunts of hiding illegal wildlife killings behind the guise of trail hunting for decades. She voiced particular concern for the fate of the hounds, urging hunts to cease breeding them and to collaborate with reputable rescue organizations to find the dogs new homes. The government has not specified when the ban will be implemented but affirmed its commitment to ending the sport and promised to announce further steps in due course
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