Kentish Express Ashford & District
Boxing Day hunt targeted
Around 100 anti-fox hunting campaigners staged a protest at the traditional Boxing Day hunt which gathered in Elham Square.
The banner-waving objectors, some from the East Kent Hunt Saboteurs, are still angry that a prosecution against the East Kent Hunt with West Street over the alleged killing of a fox, filmed by activists, was dropped earlier this year.
The festive meeting is often targeted by protesters and there was a significant police presence in the Square as demonstrators shouted down speeches by the masters of the hunt.
They want to see more active enforcement by police of the Hunting Act 2004, which outlaws the pursuit of wild animals with dogs, because they claim foxes are still being killed.
But spokesman for the East Kent Hunt with West Street, Nick Onslow, insists it operated within the law.
He said: “Hunt protestors are quite within their rights to object to something they disagree with although.”
Mr Onslow said the hunt, which has been meeting in Elham Square for more than 100 years, was still well supported by both riders and the public and there was a good turnout. Around 50 people took part in the ride out.
He said: “The evidence is that fox hunting is a far more effective way of controlling the fox population than shooting, which is quite indiscriminate.
“But we operate trail hunting although we are still campaigning for the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004.”