NEW figures released today by anti-hunt campaigners claim to reveal both the scale of fox hunting still taking place and the havoc they say hunts wreak on people and communities in Somerset.

The figures were compiled by animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) and show Somerset is in the top five of the worst affected counties in Britain.

It said there were 22 reports of either suspected illegal hunting or ‘hunt havoc’ across Somerset in just five-and-a-half weeks between November 1 and December 7.

The figures were released to coincide with traditional Boxing Day hunt parades, the biggest day in the hunting calendar.

The league said the figures showed the negative impact hunting had on wildlife, rural communities, people’s lives, and their livelihoods.

LACS campaigns and communications head Emma Judd said: “People will see the hunts out today in Somerset and not know that behind the finery is a so-called sport that sees public lives endangered on roads, livestock worried by out-of-control hounds, and in some cases domestic pets killed.

“Our figures released today evidence the negative impact hunting has on rural communities and show clearly that it is time for change.

“Only by strengthening the law on hunting can communities, wildlife and rural values be protected.”

Minehead Harriers hunt hunting hounds foxhounds fox hunting Exmoor
A meet of the Minehead Harriers. (MH)

The figures break down into nine reports of suspected illegal hunting despite the fox hunting ban, and 13 incidences of ‘hunt havoc’ involving fox hunts marauding on roads, worrying livestock, chasing pets, and trespassing.

The counties with the highest combined totals of suspected illegal hunting and ‘hunt havoc’ were Dorset (39), Yorkshire (30), Somerset (22), Warwickshire (21), and Gloucestershire (19).

The league recently criticised Somerset County Council for backtracking on a commitment to tackle fox hunting in the county.

Polling across Britain commissioned by LACS and conducted independently by Find Out Now and Electoral Calculus showed 75 per cent of voters spoken to in Somerset were in favour of strengthening hunting laws and more than half were more likely to vote for a candidate who supported such moves.

Seventy-six per cent of rural voters polled across Britain were in favour of strengthening the Hunting Act 2004 and 54 per cent were more likely to vote for a supportive candidate.

Ms Judd said: “The bloodthirsty and shameful ‘sport’ of fox hunting is massively unpopular with the Somerset electorate who want to see hunting laws strengthened.

“It is time Government came on board with public opinion.”