'Ilegal hare hunt' claims probe in Pendle

11:10am Monday 7th November 2011 in News Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

'Ilegal hare hunt' claims probe in Pendle 'Ilegal hare hunt' claims probe in Pendle

A POLICE probe has been launched after complaints were made about a hunt illegally chasing a wild hare.

Officers are looking into claims a pack of hounds followed by around 20 hunters on horseback were chasing the animal across fields between Barnoldswick and West Marton on Saturday afternoon.

The hunters, dressed in red blazers, black jodhpurs and black safety helmets, were spotted by a number of animal lovers who said they were deeply shocked at what happened.

Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt master Tom Bannister said they had been in the area at the time but no hare had been discovered.

In 2005, the government passed the Hunting Act banning the hunting of foxes, hares, minks and deer with dogs.

Anyone found guilty of illegal hunting could face a fine of up to £5,000. However, hunts can still follow a scent while out riding, which is commonly known as a drag hunt.

Carole Mitchell, 51, of Ollet Hall Road, Darwen, was visiting her three pet sheep in Stock Road, near Barnoldswick when she saw the hunt.

She said: “It was absolutely awful. I locked myself in the car because I just couldn’t bear it.

“It is so shocking to watch. There was this horrific screaming and I couldn’t tell if it was the dogs or the hare.”

Related links

Fellow witness Michael Martin, 62, from Barnoldswick, said: “That poor hare must have been terrified. "I could see it running desperately for its life.

Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt confirmed it conducted a hunt with 20 people on horseback and 20 on foot between Barnoldswick and West Marton on Saturday between 11am and 2.30pm.

Mr Bannister said: “We were completely within the law.

“The law demands that even if the hounds were to find a hare we would have to pull them off, but we did not find a hare on Saturday.”

Comments (29)

11:16am Mon 7 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

Stop wasting police time with this sort of nonsense.
Stop wasting police time with this sort of nonsense. happycyclist

12:01pm Mon 7 Nov 11

BROCKSDAD says...

And it is MINK not MINKS like SHEEP not SHEEPS where do they get these reporters from
And it is MINK not MINKS like SHEEP not SHEEPS where do they get these reporters from BROCKSDAD

12:06pm Mon 7 Nov 11

misssolihull says...

are hares classed as vermin. what harm do they do?
are hares classed as vermin. what harm do they do? misssolihull

12:21pm Mon 7 Nov 11

fabinribblevalley says...

You have a snowball in hells chance of stopping these arrogant snobbish bas tards from breaking the law with their foul so called sport. On two occasions they have charged (trespassing) over my sons land and the hounds have killed, once a pet goose the second time some hens. They denied having done this until a witness came forward and told my son. The arrogant so and so's sent a cheque for £20, no apology but a line saying that should cover it.
You have a snowball in hells chance of stopping these arrogant snobbish bas tards from breaking the law with their foul so called sport. On two occasions they have charged (trespassing) over my sons land and the hounds have killed, once a pet goose the second time some hens. They denied having done this until a witness came forward and told my son. The arrogant so and so's sent a cheque for £20, no apology but a line saying that should cover it. fabinribblevalley

12:24pm Mon 7 Nov 11

fabinribblevalley says...

happycyclist wrote:
Stop wasting police time with this sort of nonsense.
They like most cyclist are breaking the law and should be punished as the law states.
[quote][p][bold]happycyclist[/bold] wrote: Stop wasting police time with this sort of nonsense.[/p][/quote]They like most cyclist are breaking the law and should be punished as the law states. fabinribblevalley

2:29pm Mon 7 Nov 11

notchuffed says...

A few thoughts spring to mind looking at the headline

a) I'll bet a pound to a pinch of snuff these get investigated with more police and much more thoroughly than they do when looking for illegal immigrants!

b) Instead of the hunt chasing hares can't they be gainfully employed chasing after illegals?

c) If they catch any, the hunt's solution is far better than what happens if the so called Border Security Agents catch them.

d) As for the countryside abuse "Hare today and gone tomorrow"
A few thoughts spring to mind looking at the headline a) I'll bet a pound to a pinch of snuff these get investigated with more police and much more thoroughly than they do when looking for illegal immigrants! b) Instead of the hunt chasing hares can't they be gainfully employed chasing after illegals? c) If they catch any, the hunt's solution is far better than what happens if the so called Border Security Agents catch them. d) As for the countryside abuse "Hare today and gone tomorrow" notchuffed

3:14pm Mon 7 Nov 11

BuckoTheMoose says...

"She said: “It was absolutely awful. I locked myself in the car because I just couldn’t bear it. "

Don't be such a drama queen! I bet you are one of those who think the meat they eat is born in shelf ready packaging. Silly woman!
"She said: “It was absolutely awful. I locked myself in the car because I just couldn’t bear it. " Don't be such a drama queen! I bet you are one of those who think the meat they eat is born in shelf ready packaging. Silly woman! BuckoTheMoose

3:30pm Mon 7 Nov 11

golazzo says...

Locked yourself in a car, I think you need locking up love
Locked yourself in a car, I think you need locking up love golazzo

3:31pm Mon 7 Nov 11

frank says...

why don't they coat one of the hoorays in hare odour and let the dogs chase them instead?
why don't they coat one of the hoorays in hare odour and let the dogs chase them instead? frank

3:34pm Mon 7 Nov 11

ribblered says...

frank wrote:
why don't they coat one of the hoorays in hare odour and let the dogs chase them instead?
That is actually what they do Frank - a runner usually sets off ahead of the pack, dragging something which is 'scented' for the hounds to follow...hence the term 'drag hunt'
[quote][p][bold]frank[/bold] wrote: why don't they coat one of the hoorays in hare odour and let the dogs chase them instead?[/p][/quote]That is actually what they do Frank - a runner usually sets off ahead of the pack, dragging something which is 'scented' for the hounds to follow...hence the term 'drag hunt' ribblered

4:57pm Mon 7 Nov 11

frank says...

i was thinking of them losing the drag bit and just using the hunter!
i was thinking of them losing the drag bit and just using the hunter! frank

5:06pm Mon 7 Nov 11

Dave139 says...

Bring back hunting.
Bring back hunting. Dave139

5:06pm Mon 7 Nov 11

Dave139 says...

Bring back hunting.
Bring back hunting. Dave139

5:31pm Mon 7 Nov 11

akon says...

And the barbaric halal slaughter of animals continues !!
And the barbaric halal slaughter of animals continues !! akon

5:41pm Mon 7 Nov 11

Coeur de Lion says...

Get a life love, go home and make your husbands tea.
Get a life love, go home and make your husbands tea. Coeur de Lion

5:50pm Mon 7 Nov 11

JTulloch says...

Surely the police can find better things to do with their time. A hare would die faster at the hands of a hunt than your average lamb chop would at the abattoir. And it would certainly have a quicker cleaner death than if it were hit with an unclean shot and lay in the woods for a week dying. When the population needs to be controlled, dogs are the BEST medium for the job whether by hunt or course. You folks want to stop worrying about the poor terrified hare and let the police spend their time doing a real job.
Surely the police can find better things to do with their time. A hare would die faster at the hands of a hunt than your average lamb chop would at the abattoir. And it would certainly have a quicker cleaner death than if it were hit with an unclean shot and lay in the woods for a week dying. When the population needs to be controlled, dogs are the BEST medium for the job whether by hunt or course. You folks want to stop worrying about the poor terrified hare and let the police spend their time doing a real job. JTulloch

6:13pm Mon 7 Nov 11

ste.g says...

not a hare in hells chance of these dogs and horses catching a hare.
not a hare in hells chance of these dogs and horses catching a hare. ste.g

6:50pm Mon 7 Nov 11

JTulloch says...

They might've caught it by accident Ste, maybe it was ill or injured. In any case, I fail to see what the big deal is. A hare caught by a dog doesn't live long enough to suffer.
They might've caught it by accident Ste, maybe it was ill or injured. In any case, I fail to see what the big deal is. A hare caught by a dog doesn't live long enough to suffer. JTulloch

8:41pm Mon 7 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

fabinribblevalley wrote:
happycyclist wrote:
Stop wasting police time with this sort of nonsense.
They like most cyclist are breaking the law and should be punished as the law states.
zzzzzzz...
[quote][p][bold]fabinribblevalley[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]happycyclist[/bold] wrote: Stop wasting police time with this sort of nonsense.[/p][/quote]They like most cyclist are breaking the law and should be punished as the law states.[/p][/quote]zzzzzzz... happycyclist

9:23pm Mon 7 Nov 11

slimhotknave says...

Illegal hunting everywhere...lock 'em all up!!!!
Illegal hunting everywhere...lock 'em all up!!!! slimhotknave

9:38pm Mon 7 Nov 11

Ted Maul says...

“The law demands that even if the hounds were to find a hare we would have to pull them off"

I always thought that these tally ho hunting types were a bunch of perves.

The dirty gets...
“The law demands that even if the hounds were to find a hare we would have to pull them off" I always thought that these tally ho hunting types were a bunch of perves. The dirty gets... Ted Maul

11:42pm Mon 7 Nov 11

riversidefan says...

JTulloch wrote:
Surely the police can find better things to do with their time. A hare would die faster at the hands of a hunt than your average lamb chop would at the abattoir. And it would certainly have a quicker cleaner death than if it were hit with an unclean shot and lay in the woods for a week dying. When the population needs to be controlled, dogs are the BEST medium for the job whether by hunt or course. You folks want to stop worrying about the poor terrified hare and let the police spend their time doing a real job.
No respect for the law eh? No wonder the country's in a mess.
[quote][p][bold]JTulloch[/bold] wrote: Surely the police can find better things to do with their time. A hare would die faster at the hands of a hunt than your average lamb chop would at the abattoir. And it would certainly have a quicker cleaner death than if it were hit with an unclean shot and lay in the woods for a week dying. When the population needs to be controlled, dogs are the BEST medium for the job whether by hunt or course. You folks want to stop worrying about the poor terrified hare and let the police spend their time doing a real job.[/p][/quote]No respect for the law eh? No wonder the country's in a mess. riversidefan

11:53pm Mon 7 Nov 11

riversidefan says...

Coeur de Lion wrote:
Get a life love, go home and make your husbands tea.
A sexist hunt supporter, that's unusual!
[quote][p][bold]Coeur de Lion[/bold] wrote: Get a life love, go home and make your husbands tea.[/p][/quote]A sexist hunt supporter, that's unusual! riversidefan

10:04am Tue 8 Nov 11

JTulloch says...

riversidefan wrote:
JTulloch wrote:
Surely the police can find better things to do with their time. A hare would die faster at the hands of a hunt than your average lamb chop would at the abattoir. And it would certainly have a quicker cleaner death than if it were hit with an unclean shot and lay in the woods for a week dying. When the population needs to be controlled, dogs are the BEST medium for the job whether by hunt or course. You folks want to stop worrying about the poor terrified hare and let the police spend their time doing a real job.
No respect for the law eh? No wonder the country's in a mess.
Plenty of respect for the law. I just happen to think the law against hunting is a pile of rubbish. I also happen to think that hunting with dogs is a good thing, when done properly. As with every other group of people, there are some with no respect for animals or hunting or the law. I have a healthy respect for all three. And I think that police services could be better diverted to real crime.
[quote][p][bold]riversidefan[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JTulloch[/bold] wrote: Surely the police can find better things to do with their time. A hare would die faster at the hands of a hunt than your average lamb chop would at the abattoir. And it would certainly have a quicker cleaner death than if it were hit with an unclean shot and lay in the woods for a week dying. When the population needs to be controlled, dogs are the BEST medium for the job whether by hunt or course. You folks want to stop worrying about the poor terrified hare and let the police spend their time doing a real job.[/p][/quote]No respect for the law eh? No wonder the country's in a mess.[/p][/quote]Plenty of respect for the law. I just happen to think the law against hunting is a pile of rubbish. I also happen to think that hunting with dogs is a good thing, when done properly. As with every other group of people, there are some with no respect for animals or hunting or the law. I have a healthy respect for all three. And I think that police services could be better diverted to real crime. JTulloch

11:37am Tue 8 Nov 11

chris283 says...

im a keen angler but hunting with dogs is barbaric like some 1 said its these snooty tossers who want to bring it back no chance
im a keen angler but hunting with dogs is barbaric like some 1 said its these snooty tossers who want to bring it back no chance chris283

12:04pm Tue 8 Nov 11

ribblered says...

so cathing a fish through it's mouth with a metal spike, then hurling it out of the water where it can't breath, just so somone can get a cheesy photo of 'look how big my fish is', is not barbaric? Interesting....
so cathing a fish through it's mouth with a metal spike, then hurling it out of the water where it can't breath, just so somone can get a cheesy photo of 'look how big my fish is', is not barbaric? Interesting.... ribblered

12:05pm Tue 8 Nov 11

ribblered says...

and if snooty is whata farmer is...as there is VERY large proportion who hunt - or follow. I have never heard a farmer called snooty before. Maybe Harry Enfield can do a new comedy sketch of snooty farmers?!
and if snooty is whata farmer is...as there is VERY large proportion who hunt - or follow. I have never heard a farmer called snooty before. Maybe Harry Enfield can do a new comedy sketch of snooty farmers?! ribblered

5:03pm Tue 8 Nov 11

Will - Ash says...

I never been happy with the hunting bill ever since a Labour MP said that the bill was revenge for Thatcher's handling of the miners.

http://www.telegraph
.co.uk/news/uknews/1
472099/Hunt-ban-is-r
evenge-for-Thatchers
-defeat-of-the-miner
s-says-Labour-MP.htm
l
I never been happy with the hunting bill ever since a Labour MP said that the bill was revenge for Thatcher's handling of the miners. http://www.telegraph .co.uk/news/uknews/1 472099/Hunt-ban-is-r evenge-for-Thatchers -defeat-of-the-miner s-says-Labour-MP.htm l Will - Ash

10:24pm Thu 10 Nov 11

RachMll says...

Shut up you silly woman and stop wasting police time. Have you seen how slow the dogs are? they have not got a cat in hells chance of catching a hare. Bring back fox hunting! You will be complaining when the foxes are catching the your 3 pet sheep lambs in the spring!
Shut up you silly woman and stop wasting police time. Have you seen how slow the dogs are? they have not got a cat in hells chance of catching a hare. Bring back fox hunting! You will be complaining when the foxes are catching the your 3 pet sheep lambs in the spring! RachMll

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree