Alnwick's Percy Hunt hosts trail hunting event as it rallies against potential ban
The Percy Hunt welcomed hundreds of people to an event near Alnwick for National Trail Hunting Day.
Visitors to South Charlton Farm were able to watch the hounds at work, as the Percy Hunt hosted one of four flagship events held across England.
They were shown how a scent is laid across farmland before the hounds are sent to follow it, which is how hunts have operated since the Hunting Act came into force in 2005.
The Government said last December that it intends to ban trail hunting. A Defra consultation on the proposal closed in June and the Government's response to the consultation is awaited.
Andrew Osborne of the Percy Hunt, said: “We wanted people to come and see a trail hunt for themselves. There are a lot of misconceptions about the sport and a lot of what gets said about trail hunting is said by people who have never been to watch it. It was fantastic to welcome people who could ask whatever they liked and see for themselves how the trail is laid and how the hounds follow it.
“The hunt has been part of this corner of Northumberland for decades years. It is a key part of rural life here and none of it can carry on if trail hunting is banned. We would welcome MPs and ministers to come and have a look for themselves before any decisions are made about our community's future.”
They say that trail hunting is legal, it is regulated and it supports jobs, hounds and farms.
However, animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports said the event was an attempt to deceive the public, police and government.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “National Trail Hunting Day is a cynical attempt to hide from the public, criminal justice system and government that fox hunting is still taking place despite the ban.
“We get reports of hundreds of foxes being chased every season and this is just the tip of the iceberg as this is just from the hunts being monitored.
“We are calling on the government to act and fulfil its pledge to ban trail hunting, bringing forward legislation at least by the next parliamentary session."