Summary of hunt saboteurs’ activity in the region from August – December 2009.

Nottingham, Sheffield & Leeds sabs started this seasons sabbing in September, when the hunts were training their young hounds to hunt by sending them after fox cubs. In the first few months of fox cub hunting, or“cubbing”, we sabbed the Burton, the Meynall & South Staffs, the South Notts and the High Peak hunts. As usual all were found to be quite blatantly flouting the Hunting Act and no longer even making a pretence of hunting within the law. Hardly surprising given how the police refuse to investigate illegal hunting – even when they attend hunts! The award for the most biased policing once again goes to the Lincolnshire force for turning up in large numbers when we sabbed the Burton. Watch out for us on “Cops On Camera” as they had someone filming for the show that day.

The South Notts hunt also decided to call the police, most likely as they haven’t seen sabs for 15 years or so. The police were delayed slightly as the bumpkin in charge of police relations couldn’t remember the number to call, and due to the incompetence of the call didn’t arrive for an hour and a half. Great news for us as the sun came up and burnt off the foxes’ scent. In disgust at the police’s incompetence, the hunt then galloped off and packed up – job done.

We also had several successful days sabbing the Badsworth and Bramham Moor hunt during cubbing. They probably didn’t expect us the first time as we popped up next to a wood they were hunting. They were onto a fox from the start, which eventually took shelter in a badger sett. This wasn’t quite safe enough as we then heard the sound of shovels, as the terrier men started digging out the fox. Luckily as we approached, the hunt members had a rethink and left the fox in peace. Shortly afterwards the hunt got onto another fox in a field of high crops and chased it into the same wood, and again we intervened, this time calling the hounds away and letting the fox escape. We returned to the hunt again a few weeks later and had a similar day, with the hunt immediately hunting foxes and us intervening to ensure a kill free day, saving two more hunted foxes.

We visited the Badsworth and Bramham Moor hunt again in October only to find the police pouring into the area at an alarming rate – with the intention of arresting sabs, for no particular reason. So we decided to head for the York & Ainsty hunt, who were hunting nearby. With some police following us all the way, we made a break for it down a footpath, heading towards the sound a huntsman’s horn. We found the tail end of the hunt leaving a large wood, were some men were staying behind to dig out and kill a fox that had hid in a badger sett. As we approached the terrier men stopped and walked back to their vehicle. So, another good day, and with no arrests.

We started the main season with an afternoon visit to the Rockwood harriers. Although this gave us a lie in after all our early morning cubbing exploits it was a difficult day as the hunt had spent a few hours in the pub and were well tanked up! Drunken driving and general aggression were the order of the day and this combined with the usual biased policing in the area made it difficult for sabs to get near the hunt.

The following week we paid a trip to the lesser spotted Colne Valley Beagles on the Yorkshire moors. It was hard going and we lost them for a time but sab perseverance paid off and we found them again and packed them up a few hours early.

Two weeks after our first visit there, twenty or so sabs returned to the Rockwood harriers, but the cowards smashed up one of our vans that two sabs were in and then the police held some sabs for around three hours and stopped us getting anywhere near the perpetrators. Complaints have been made to the police about the officers on the scene but we won’t hold our breath!

Sick of Yorkshire police, the following week we headed to Derbyshire to check out the Meynall and South Staffs. Derbyshire police are keeping a low profile at the moment after recently paying out £38,000 after wrongfully arresting members of our group last year. The weather was atrocious and it was depressing at 2pm when we thought the hunt were packing up due to the driving rain to find that they were actually just changing horses! Despite this, and despite constant aggro from hunt bumpkins, we had a pretty good day. Staying with the hunt for long periods and constantly popping up where they least expected it.

We’ve made several visits to Lincolnshire to sab the traditionally fast and aggressive Blankney hunt this season. The last week of November saw us there, and what an excellent day we had. Sabs were in exactly the right place at the right time to take hounds off a fox that was only 10 feet in front of the lead hounds and would definitely have been killed if we weren’t there. We stayed on the hunt all day and were always in the right place to sab them if necessary. At the end of December as the cold snap began we had another trip to the Blankney. They weren’t out due to the hard frost so with a bit of luck and skill we managed to find the elusive Per Ardua beagles who took one look at sabs, boxed up and headed back to kennels.

We visited the South Notts again during the main season, on one of their rare Saturday meets and packed them up at 2 o’clock.

Sabs from the group also had successful mid-week trips to the Badsworth & Bramham Moor and to Cumbria to support the local sabs with one of their hunts.

We have also had two successful benefit gigs, one in Nottigham and one in Sheffield, raising a good chunk of money to keep our vans running. Thanks to all who helped with these. Thanks also to sabs from other regions who have come over to give us a hand on occasion.

Anyone who is interested in coming sabbing in future, from Sheffield, Nottingham, Leeds, or anywhere else in the North or Midlands should contact either sheffieldsaboteurs@live.co.uk or westyorkshuntsabs@yahoo.co.uk . We’d also like to hear from people who could help with fundraising, vehicle mechanics and looking after saboteurs’ animals (when needed).

Harewood Estate Exposed for Cruelty

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) have conducted an intense undercover investigation at one of the most prominent shooting estates in Yorkshire. Harewood have extensive links within the shooting industry, hosting the BASC Game Fair annually, and the aristocratic family who own the estate are relatives of the Royals. After the Queen’s gamekeeper at Balmoral was revealled to be culling protected birds of prey, this is yet another major hit out against an industry responsible for disgusting suffering and cruelty. Allegations have also been made with regards to breaches of the law and industry guidelines by the Harewood Estate.

The investigation describes how a “pit of death” was discovered, containing the decomposing remains of over 100 animals including foxes, rabbits, pigeons and squirrels, and how this was a deliberate entisement for preditor animals who would then end up with the same unfortunate fate.

Click Here to read the full “War on Wildlife” report.

Please politely contact the Harewood Estate to voice your disgust:

Harewood House
Harewood
Leeds LS17 9LG
Tel: 0113 218 1010
Fax: 0113 218 1002
info@harewood.org

Estate Office
0113 288 6252
estate_office@harewoodestate.co.uk

We’re Back and Running!

As most people will know, West Yorkshire Hunt Sabs have been a little quiet recently but now we’re back up and running again. So what’s planned?

BENEFIT GIGS – We are currently arranging a benefit gig in the Leeds area to raise some money for sabbing and monitoring this seson. More details will be announced shorlty, but if anybody is in a band (or knows any bands) who would like to play we’d be more than happy for you to!

SHOOT SABS – The ‘Glorious 12th’ is in 6 weeks time when bloodsports enthusiasts go up on Yorkshire’s moors and blast grouse with guns for kicks. We will be out there on the moors disrputing the shoots regularly, so if you would like to join us get in touch.

NEW WEBSITE – In the next few weeks, West Yorkshire Hunt Sabs will be launching a brand new website to promote the local group and keep everybody up to date with our campaigns and anti-bloodsports actions that have happened in the area. Watch this space!

EQUIPMENT & DRIVERS APPEAL  - If anybody has any old equipment which you beleive we may find useful in the field, please get in touch. It can be anything from video camera’s, OS Maps, down to old boots we can use as spares, or some tapes to liven up the van when we’re “Out on t’ moooors!” (NB: No Roxy Music ta!) 

Many thanks,

West Yorkshire Hunt Sabs

Some Photos from Recent Sabs

The Badsworth and Bramham Moor Fox Hounds

Following the hunt...

B&BMFH Illegally Hunting

Will somebody please hold the gate?!

For more information on hunt sabbing in West Yorkshire, or to report any details of meets or hunt activity, please send us an email  - westyorkshuntsabs@yahoo.co.uk.

“Top Councillor in Saboteurs’ Sights” – Bradford T&A

By Jo Winrow

A war of words has broken out between anti-hunt campaigners and a senior councillor over grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor.

The row follows the award of a ten-year Council contract in June to the Bingley Moor Partnership after an absence of shooting at the beauty spot of more than a decade.

Since the decision and the signing of the lease West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs have been vocal in opposition of the move. A petition has also been lodged with the Council from West Yorkshire Animals in Need, an Ilkley-based animal welfare group.

As well as the right to shoot grouse in season, the contract means the partnership will work with the Council to improve breeding grounds and encourage the spread of heather on the fire-damaged moor. This was the Council’s key objective in awarding the contract.

Just over a month ago the hunt saboteurs took their protest to the centre of Bradford outside key Council offices, including Jacob’s Well and City Hall.

Now spokesman Luke Steele has spoken out against Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council’s executive member for environment and culture.

He claims Coun Hawkesworth says their campaign is “misleading and misguided”.

But, he added: “We work closely with groups who have environmental scientists who specialise and consult on the issue, as well as having undercover investigations into the shooting industry to back all our claims – whether they be based on damage to the area or animal cruelty.

“Before the shooting licence was issued to the Bingley Moor Partnership, Anne Hawkesworth claimed there were too many grouse on Ilkley Moor and they needed culling, but now claims that there are too little and the moor needs managing.”

Coun Hawkesworth reiterated her earlier comments on the issue, saying that the partnership won the tender because of the management of the moors it was able to offer and the lease is a legally-binding agreement.

She said: “The land management that goes with grouse-shooting, such as heather burning and bracken control, drainage management and sheep farming, is one of the practices which ensures the moorland is maintained to the best possible standard.”

A Green party motion to tomorrow’s meeting of the full council calls for an immediate review of the resumption of grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor.

A petition to the Council has been passed on to the executive which is due to consider the matter at its meeting in December at the earliest.

See the article Here

Demo At Ilkley Council Surgery Against Grouse Shoot

Councillor Anne Hawksworth has been backing the return of grouse shooting to Ilkley Moor and is Head of the Environmental Portfolio, who deal with the decision whether or not the shoots go ahead.

This morning, Hawksworth was holding her council surgery where members of the public go along to express concern over local issues, so campaigners were there to expose her backing of bloodsports.

Hoots of support came from passers by as campaigners chanted and held a massive banner reading “No Bloodsports on Ilkley Moor” and the public were very receptive of the demo. However, the police refused to let any campaigners in to speak to the councillor (at a public meeting!) and illegally demanded names and addresses from anybody protesting if they were to be let into a public building.

Hawksworth showed her usual cowardly ways; arriving early before the demo started and snook out through the back door to avoid any questions from campaigners about her lies and slander.

Lies, Slander and Disillusion – Anne Hawksworth Defends Shoot

Councillor defends grouse shoot policy

From the Bradford T&A

A senior councillor has criticised anti-hunt campaigners who demonstrated outside Bradford’s City Hall against the award of a council contract for grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor.

The protesters have petitioned Bradford Council to reverse the gran-ing of the ten-year licence.

But the Council’s executive member for environment and culture, Coun Anne Hawkesworth, said: “The recent actions of some demonstrators from the West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs have been misleading and misguided.

Our repsonse: Anne Hawksworth has always, up until now, remained adament that she has had no involvement in the grouse shooting proposals – maybe she’s had to succumber to us dragging her name through the mud and exposing the lies her council are putting out to get this shoot to go ahead

“Allegations have been made by them that are totally untrue. We have a ludicrous situation whereby we have a grouse moor with no grouse because it isn’t being managed for that purpose.

Our repsonse: Before the shooting contract was awarded, Hawksworth claimed it was needed as there were too many grouse on the moor, now she’s changed it to there are too little. Before speaking out in public, she ought to get her facts right! The allegations of West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs, and the groups we have worked with, are all backed up by environmental scientists and undercover invesigations into the shooting industry. Legally, we have to get everything we publish spot-on so we are not taken to court for slander and the simple fact that we don’t have to make things up to get people on our side (unlike certain people…)

“The facts are clear. The Bingley Moor Partnership has been licensed to drive grouse on Ilkley Moor since 2004.

“The Council’s procurement service put the shooting agreement for Ilkley Moor out to tender earlier this year.

“The Bingley Moor Partnership won the tender in open competition because of the management of the moors it was able to offer. The lease is signed, sealed and delivered. This is a legally-binding agreement.

Our repsonse: Any company, or organisation, (especially a council) can go back on a contract if there is something that is of significance and has not come to light until after it has been signed. There are counctless issues, both ethical and legal based, that are now in the public domain for example the “extremely close working relationship” Edward Bromet of the Bingley Moor Partnership had built up with the council inorder to try and gain the contract, and the simple fact that it was a ‘done deal’ before the adverts for tenders were even put out!

“This new ten-year lease is enabling increased investment into the moor, therefore boosting the local rural economy.

Our repsonse: The tourism trade in Ilkley and Wharfedale, EU & Special Scientific Interest (SSI) grants, to name a few ways, have a massive input into the area and the money made through grouse shooting wouldn’t go to the people living in Ilkley, but the Bingley Moor Partnership (the manager of which doesn’t even live in the same county!) and £8,000 a year to Bradford Council – this could easily be made up through the means mentioned above.

“The land management that goes with grouse-shooting, such as heather burning and bracken control, drainage management and sheep farming, is one of the practices which ensures the moorland is maintained to the best possible standard.”

Our repsonse: Sheep farming has always occurred on Ilkley Moor as it had been in the land rights for over a decade, bracken control can be done on any more (whether grouse or otherwise) and heather burning is only conducted to make an artificially high grouse population for shooting – the effects of which damage both the land and the environment on a large scale. Drainage has also been done in the area for a substantial amount of time. Why doesn’t Hawksworth invest their most recent grant into the moor, instead of resurfacing a road which will only benefit those conducting grouse shooting on the land!

Sabs Breach Security at Bradford Council Offices

Hunt Sabs breached the ’security’ at Bradford Council’s main office and made an impromptu visit to the Countryside and Rights of Way office who are incharge of dealing with the Ilkley Moor shoot.

Unchallenged, they walked into the council building and were let into the CROW office by a member of staff. Leaflets were given out to all the workers and a banner was held, along with people shouting about the cruelty supported by the council in letting grouse shooting return to the public moor. Danny Jackson, who is the office manager and was recently exposed because of his ‘backhand approach’ in dealing with the issue, didn’t look too pleased and somewhat embarassed. Security arrived and escourted campaigners out of the building, where a loud demonstration was held outside.

At leaving time, members of staff were given leaflets and many showed disgust and opposition to the animal abuse. Chants of “Animals suffering and dying in pain – Bradford Council are to blame!” certainly made everybody aware of our determination to stop this cruel sport once and for all.

“MP Hits Back in Shooting Row” – Bradford T&A

MP Hits Back in Shooting Row

Bradford MP and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has hit out after pro-animal campaigners accused him of promoting cruel sports.

On Tuesday – the second day of National Shooting Week – Animal Aid’s new mascot, Phileas the Pheasant, will be visiting the city highlighting the “cruel sport” of gamebird shooting.

The campaigners said they chose Bradford because the Bradford South MP attended a reception staged by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), a pro-shoot lobby group, at last year’s Labour Party Conference.

Read the full article HERE

One thing we’d like to add is that the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) were, again, allowed to hold a stall and meeting at this year’s Labour Party Conference in Manchester. Not only this, they stayed in the top-security Midlands Hotel which wasrented out and protected for the conference!

Animal Aid Hold Anti-Shooting Leafleting – Bradford Town Centre

Animal Aid and local supporters held a leafleting session in Bradford Town Centre to highlight the shooting industry and the associated animal abuse.

10 campaigners gave out leaflets and held banners and placards for three hours, receiving great support from the public, and the giant pheasant attracted lots of attention to the issue of game bird shooting.