How do I go about making a complaint about 'the hunt'

[Jimmy260910]

Last weekend, the hunt (not sure which hunt) was out around in the surrounding fields near my yard and we (luckily) noticed that they were trying to use our land to drag the scent through without permission!!! The field they wished to use had horses turned out in it (the field backs onto the T.R.O.T path) and two members on foot had ushered our horses away from the entrance which the hunt wished to use - my friend and I ran down shouting and the men quickly ran, sealed off the entrance to the field, hopped on their quad bikes and went on their merry way - the whole time this was happening one of the huntsmen was watching from the base of one of our other fields.

Basically, we're outraged that:
1. they didn't make any effort to ask for permission to use our field.
2. they had no care or concern for our horses which were very clearly grazing within the field and put them in danger by opening up one of the exits which leads onto the T.R.O.T path
3. they have made to effort to apologise.

Unfortunately, I don't know which hunt it was, so I wondered if there was a general hunt thing where I could complain to?

I am not anti-hunt but I don't feel this behaviour is acceptable as they showed complete disregard for the safety and well-being of our horses.

TIA.

 

[Goldenstar]

First find out which hunt it was then complain to the master or the secretary .

 

[Herne]

If you look at the MFHA website - http://mfha.org.uk/pack_directory/ - you should be able to find out which pack it was likely to be (bear in mind that this lists only foxhound packs, where as there may be other types also in your area).

Alternatively, feel free to PM me the details and I will see if I can find out which one it was.

 

[Countryman]

Last weekend, the hunt (not sure which hunt) was out around in the surrounding fields near my yard and we (luckily) noticed that they were trying to use our land to drag the scent through without permission!!! The field they wished to use had horses turned out in it (the field backs onto the T.R.O.T path) and two members on foot had ushered our horses away from the entrance which the hunt wished to use - my friend and I ran down shouting and the men quickly ran, sealed off the entrance to the field, hopped on their quad bikes and went on their merry way - the whole time this was happening one of the huntsmen was watching from the base of one of our other fields.

Basically, we're outraged that:
1. they didn't make any effort to ask for permission to use our field.
2. they had no care or concern for our horses which were very clearly grazing within the field and put them in danger by opening up one of the exits which leads onto the T.R.O.T path
3. they have made to effort to apologise.

Unfortunately, I don't know which hunt it was, so I wondered if there was a general hunt thing where I could complain to?

I am not anti-hunt but I don't feel this behaviour is acceptable as they showed complete disregard for the safety and well-being of our horses.

TIA.

As the others have said, first ring up the Hunt Secretary or Master and complain. If this doesn't work out, there are others steps that you can take, such as going to the MFHA-the body that regulates registered foxhound packs in the UK.

 

[Kat]

MFHA is a good place to start, bloodhound packs don't drag a scent.

 

[Beagle]

If you need to find the hunt, the best place is the MFHA directory, (see the link http://mfha.org.uk/pack_directory/. Alternatively you could Download the H&H hunting directory for £1.49, see this link: - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/hunting/#ZQ5e8CDM4KZapew8.99
Certainly any complaint should be addressed to the Secretary at first instance, though it can often be more effective to make contact with the Master or Chairman if serious action is required.
The proper form is really quite simple:-
• The master or the meet/area secretary should maintain a record of all the landowners in their country whose land is likely to be used from one of the meets.
• The master should do his best in terms of public relations with the farming community through a programme of farm visits during the summer off-season
• The master or the meet/area secretary will make contact with the host farmer & any other landowner whose land is essential to that meet to arrange the meet at the time the meet card is being prepared.
• In the 10 days or so before the date of the planned meet, the master or the meet/area secretary should telephone or visit the occupiers of other land which hounds hunt staff & followers are likely to find themselves on during the course of the day to seek permission to be on their ground & enquire about any issues they are likely to encounter, newly seeded ground, stock, newly erected wire fencing & electric fencing etc.
• If permission is not likely to be granted it is still appropriate to warn the landowner that hounds will be about (except where the landowner is thought likely to bring in a host of monitors or saboteurs).
• It is also appropriate to warn the owners of horses on land not intended to be used but within earshot given that the sound of hounds & horn can wind up some horses.
The old custom of relying entirely on sending out meet cards by post to all the farmers was no longer sensible or practical long before the passing of the Hunting Act & those who perpetuate the practice do the whole hunting community no favours.
If proper form is followed, problems will generally only arise where:-
• Land has changed hands without those responsible within the hunt being aware of it (particularly common where part of a holding has been sold off)
• There is uncertainty over the boundaries of the cleared land;
• The huntsman or more probably the field have failed to take proper note of their briefings (or indeed not been briefed at all);
• The huntsman, hounds hunt staff or field have behaved badly e.g. by riding over newly seeded ground or growing crops or spooked or rioted on stock, broken down fences or left gates open; or
• Someone is out to cause trouble for the hunt.

On the face of it the problem appears to have arisen because either:
• The hunt is still relying entirely on sending out meet cards by post (which can go astray) & is using an incomplete list for its mailing shot; or
• The hunt has failed to follow the form I outlined above; or
• There has been a change in the ownership of the land of which the hunt was unaware; or
• The run has taken the hunt far beyond what was expected & thus beyond the cleared ground.
• When the hunt staff have realised that the hunt might have provided grounds for offence or complaint, they have failed to take immediate action by apologising or doing their best to remedy any damage.