With cases of Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) rising in what has been described as the “worst outbreak” in the U.K. it comes as no surprise to read that its business as normal for the Quantock Stag Hounds. BTV is an insect-borne disease, which affects ruminants, such as deer, cattle and sheep, and camelids. It is potentially fatal for livestock and hundreds of farm animals have tested positive with many affected animals euthanised. Deer can act as a reservoir for the bluetongue virus, spreading it to domestic livestock. Bluetongue is spread by biting midges. Although it can be mild in deer, with many animals showing no outward signs, the risk of disease transmission remains significant. The virus is fuelled by the ongoing heatwave, with 382 confirmed cases in England and a further 1657 potential cases under investigation as of last Thursday, according to DEFRA. None of this stopped the Quantocks who were reported out hunting in Somerset last week. You can see from the interactive map that Somerset is smack in the heart of the worst of the outbreak 👉experience.arcgis.com/experi… Even to protect livestock from disease during an outbreak, these blood junkies refuse to pause their sick hobby.

Last November the BHSA released guidelines about terrier men and their presence at a hunt. Basically, having terrier men in attendance makes the smokescreen of 'trail' hunting even harder to cling onto. But these guidelines clearly held no weight and have continued to be ignored by hunts all over the country. The BHSA released this document very soon after the Coniston Foxhounds were caught digging out a fox and throwing it to hounds. It seems that they felt they had to publicly be seen to be condemning terrier men whilst having absolutely no intentions of enforcing the repercussions set out, or caring whether or not anyone paid any attention. Cubbing has only just started and already terrier men are right in the thick of it. On Monday 10th of August, the Cattistock Hunt were caught cub hunting with terrier men, quads with boxes, and a terrier all present. If you still needed further proof that 'trail' hunting doesn't exist, terrier men are it.

𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀, 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! Hunts do not discriminate when it comes to violence. Unfortunately, scenes such as this one taken by Sheffield Hunt Sabs at the Grove & Rufford Hunt, are frequently seen. Hounds are disposable, treated as stock and disposed of when they are deemed unusable. These are not the actions of people who care about their hounds, as hunts profess to do. There have been cases of hounds being beaten, killed on railway lines and roads and being shot in the head when they are no longer of use. The pro-hunt propaganda line of "we love our hounds" holds as much truth as 'trail' hunting. Hunts love their animals, right? Wrong 👉 huntsabs.org.uk/hunts-love-t…

As if two charges for interfering with a badger sett wasn't enough for the Grove and Rufford Hunt, hunt master Joshua Taylor has now been charged with beating and criminal damage. Huntsman Jacob Whalley, who less than 12 months ago received a conviction under the Hunting Act, and terrierman Ste Reynolds are facing trial in November for interfering with an active badger sett, after Sheffield Hunt Sabs caught them in the act on covert cameras. So, the Grove and Rufford Hunt will start their season with 3 charges for despicable behaviour but no doubt this won't stop them from behaving as they have always done, violently and with impunity.

𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗼𝘅 𝗰𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻! Cub hunting or ‘cubbing’ is the highly secretive and illegal process by which new hounds are trained to hunt and kill foxes. Only the most trusted members of a hunt will be present during these seedy meetings whereby riders will assist new hounds to make a kill, by surrounding the area they are hunting and making a wall of noise to turn any fleeing foxes back. However, sabs all over the country will be working tirelessly to successfully disrupt the cubbing season. This saves a lot of lives and can lead to the hounds not being fully trained, resulting in a poor season for the hunt. Read more 👉huntsabs.org.uk/death-at-daw…

Today marks the so-called ‘Glorious Twelfth’, when the grouse shooting season starts. This is the beginning of the gamebird shooting season which will continue until the 1st of February. The moors will be muddied with tweed as shooters pay extortionate amounts of money to kill these defenseless birds. If you see a group of shooters up on the moors, please contact our hotline on 07443 148 426

The inglorious twelfth marks the start of the gamebird shooting season which lasts until the 1st February. Today multiple sab groups joined forces to disrupt shoots and save lives. As usual police were out and about to try and stop sabs and protect the blood thirsty shooters. Despite North Yorkshire Police's best efforts sabs still managed to send shooters packing 👊

With Autumn stag hunting due to start at any moment all eyes are firmly on the south west which is currently dealing with a Bluetongue virus outbreak. It is raging through cattle and sheep and deer can also be affected by this virus. So with this in mind sabs have been out keeping a close watch on the three remaining stag hunt packs. Bluetongue presents itself with a high fever and swelling of the lips and tongue, which can also become blue and protude from the mouth. Unfortunately it is spreading at a rapid rate so let's hope the stag hunts show some restraint. Stag hunting in itself is cruel and barbaric without adding in the extra element of this awful virus. The spotlight is firmly on the south west and sabs are watching.

With over 60 affiliated groups the HSA tackles blood sports all over the country. This week sab groups have come together to stop grouse shooting on the Yorkshire moors, mink hunting in Derbyshire and cub hunting in Dorset, not to mention all the behind the scenes work that sabs do to help wildlife. With your help we are able to reach far and wide and continue to support groups, ensuring they can save lives. This is what being a member of the HSA means! It funds the amazing work happening all over the country and it does save lives. As a thank you, you will receive a free subscription to HOWL, our magazine that comes out three times a year, with exclusive group news, as well as informative articles. Be a part of the fight against blood sports, become a member of the HSA huntsabs.org.uk/product/join…

Wednesday signalled the start of the shooting season, known as the 'Glorious Twelfth.' So, sabs from all over joined forces to stop them and save lives. Despite the best efforts of North Yorkshire police who quickly began scribbling dispersal orders, sabs made their way up onto the moors to stop the Coverdale shoot. Clearly frustrated by this their main transport vehicle drove at sabs in the presence of the police. This drew attention to the fact that their vehicle wasn't taxed, leaving the tweed clad sour faces to walk to a nearby farm. As well as witnessing the sheer lengths the police will go to to protect this blood sport it was also glaringly apparent the extent of damage being done to the moors for this high money business. Without a doubt shooting isn't just a blood sport, it is extremely detrimental to the environment and the HSA will continue to expose it. Read more 👉 huntsabs.org.uk/coverdale-sh…