The Cheshire Forest Hunt has come under fire from animal rights protesters following its first hunt of the season on Saturday. The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) believes the hunt may have broken new laws brought in under the Hunting Act 2004, which came into force in February.
The hunt set off with 36 riders, 31 hounds and, in an attempt to bypass the hunting ban, a Harris hawk called Alice.
Hunt chiefs admit they are 'testing' new legislation.
Hunting foxes with dogs is illegal, but hounds are allowed to follow a scent and can be used to flush out a fox.
Only two dogs are allowed to flush the fox if it is to be shot but there is no limit on the number of hounds used if the animal is to be killed by a bird of prey.
Cheshire Forest Hunt joint master Peter Heaton said: 'You can use an unlimited number of hounds to flush for an unspecified mammal.
'The hounds are not hunting, they are flushing for the hawk. It is one of the ways we are testing the legislation.'
Joint master Richard de Prez said the hunt, which was following a trail laid down by a man, did not intend to break the law.
He said: 'It's not the same thing for traditionalists like me but the younger brigade may take to it more.'
About 100 spectators turned out, including LACS monitors like John McBlain who believes the hunt is 'treading on thin ice'.
He said: 'They were using a token bird of prey in a cynical attempt to test the law.
'We were there to monitor whether or not the hunt was breaking the law and to gain evidence that could be used in court.
'We have serious doubts about the use of the bird and as the rules surrounding the use of birds of prey are very specific we are seeking clarification.
Police in Hampshire are trying to track down the owner of a life-size stuffed toy tiger which sparked a huge alert in response to fears it was a real animal which had escaped....
Read
CHESTER Zoo's pair of royal starlings - called William and Kate in honour of Prince William and Kate Middleton - have been renamed after keepers discovered both are male....
Read
Article
