Hunters go down fighting

Feb 18 2005

By Tim Simpson, Evening Mail

Determined hunters turned out in droves for one last time before the controversial ban on hunting with hounds came into force. In the Midlands, 110 people on horseback along with a further 360 on foot met at Bradley Green, near Bromsgrove, yesterday for the last legal meeting of the Worcestershire Hunt. Whipper-in Bob Brierley said: "The mood here is buoyant. There are folk here that were riding when I started 30 years ago. "Tony Blair has done more than any other European leader to damage Britain - more than Napoleon, more than Adolf Hitler. He seems intent on breaking down everything that is good about being British." Mr Brierley added: "When you think about it, it's obvious - if your dog follows a trail by scent and accidentally kills a fox then the Home Secretary has said that this would not constitute an offence. How could you tell?" Story continues ADVERTISEMENT An appeal failed on January 28, but hunting groups still hope to overturn the Act in the House of Lords or the European courts. Mr Brierley said the stereotype of "toffs on horseback" was also totally at odds with the reality, where people from all walks of life took part. "I drive a seven-andahalf ton lorry - that's's how much of a toff I am! "I was brought up in the Black Country and because I don't come from the traditional background I can understand people's objections. "But while foxes are still classed as pests I honestly believe that using hounds is the least cruel method of disposing of them."

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