PROTESTERS have demanded Somerset Council takes a tougher stance on illegal fox and stag hunting.

Members of Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) lobbied a council meeting held in Bridgwater and aired their grievances in the debating chamber.

They called for action against local hunts ‘exploiting loopholes’ in the current law and ‘getting away with it’ due to a lack of enforcement action.

The council said its powers were limited and urged AAF to report any concerns of criminal activity directly to the police.

AAF member Alyson Rogers told councillors Somerset remained ‘a stronghold’ for stag hunting, with the practice having been driven out of every other county except Devon by ‘generations of campaigners’ who came before her.

Ms Rodgers said: “Stag hunting is not quietly stalking a deer and shooting it.

“It is not culling.

“It involves dogs, mounted riders, a long chase, quad-bikes, 4x4s, and people on foot.

“It is done for fun, not for population control, which is another thing entirely.

“They pick on healthy deer, because they want a long chase.

“Hours later, when the stag can run no further, the deer is shot at close range, butchered in the field, and trophies taken from the body, such as antlers and hooves.

“Do not tell us to go to the police, we have.

“We want you to take action, too.”

AAF founding chairman Pip Donovan said the Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers, which held annual meets in Wiveliscombe town centre on New Year’s Day, had multiple convictions.

Ms Donovan said: “At the Wiveliscombe hunt meet I witnessed roads being blocked without a road closure order, horses being ridden along pavements and congregating on them, children playing behind horses, loose hounds urinating and defecating where children were playing, hunt vehicles parked on pavements, intimidation of protesters, and untrained hunt members illegally directing traffic.

“I also overheard and recorded a violent racist threat, that was personally horrifying.

“The hunt had obtained no permissions at all, no road closure order, no risk assessment, no permission to hold an event on the pavement area owned by Somerset Council in Wiveliscombe.

“We provided clear evidence afterward, including evidence of the road being blocked, yet the police refused to take action or even contact the hunt about their anti-social and illegal behaviour.

“Would you allow any other organisation to behave in this way?

“If not, why is this organisation being treated differently?

“Is it because it is a hunt?”

Somerset executive Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts was ‘personally supportive’ of AAF’s aims, but said: “From a council point of view, we recognise hunting stags with hounds is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004, but we do not have any direct powers of enforcement.

“The activity you allege would be illegal, and so we advise it must be reported to the police, who have the responsibility for investigating alleged criminal offences and referring cases for prosecution where appropriate.

“We do not give consent for any such activity to take place on council land, and were consent to be sought, it would be rejected.”