Call for council to end hunts on Boxing Day

CAMPAIGNERS HAVE called on Leeds City Council to stop hosting Boxing Day hunt meets in Aberford, amid claims that animals are still being chased.

The League Against Cruel Sports has written to council leader Judith Blake, inset, asking that the authority withdraws permission for the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hounds to meet in future. In the letter, it claimed a fox and deer were chased across the Yorkshire countryside by hounds under control of the hunt in November. The organisation said the alleged incident on November 24 was just one of 151 examples of illegal hunting reported to the League since the hunting season opened on November 1.

Chris Luffingham, its director of campaigns, said: “A fox has been chased and killed by hounds under the control of the Badsworth and Bramham Hunt, which is permitted by Leeds City Council to hold one of its most prestigious meets in Aberford. This brutal incident not only reflects on the hunt itself – but anybody who allows them to continue operating.”

He added local authorities elsewhere had committed to not allowing hunts to meet or parade on public land under their jurisdiction, and urged the council to follow suit. A council spokesman said: “We can confirm we have received a letter from The League Against Cruel Sports and we will respond accordingly in due course.” The Badsworth hunt was approached for comment.