Ban hunts from church land petition

Ban the Warwickshire hunt from using church land

3299 people have taken action so far. Help us reach 5000

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Dear Coventry Diocesan Board of Finance,

I am deeply concerned that the Warwickshire Hunt has been filmed hunting a fox on land under your management near Draycote on 20 February 2025. This activity is not only cruel but also illegal under the Hunting Act 2004.

The Warwickshire Hunt has a long and troubling record of illegality and controversy. Examples from the last five years include:

Legal Issues

- March 2025, conviction: Whipper-in Benjamin Halsall convicted for illegal fox hunting, fined £1,000 plus £1,000 in costs.

- December 2022, CPN: Police issued a Community Protection Notice for road safety and anti-social behaviour, later dropped after a secret deal that caused a nationwide scandal.

Non-Legal Controversies

- December 2021, kills: Hounds killed a deer and then a fox at a children’s meet, witnessed by children. This was the fourth fox kill since September 2021 recorded at Warwickshire Hunt meets.

- October 2023, assault: A saboteur trying to intervene was violently knocked to the ground by a Hunt member. Police dropped the investigation after the suspect fled the country, leaving no accountability.

- 2023, public danger: Hunt hounds repeatedly spilled onto busy roads. On one occasion, they delayed an ambulance with emergency lights activated.

- Autumn 2024, housing estate chase: ITV filmed Warwickshire Hunt hounds chasing a fox through a residential area, narrowly missing capture. This exposed the Hunt’s claim of “trail hunting” as false and highlighted the danger to communities.

- November 2024, saboteur ridden down: A female saboteur was struck by a Hunt rider’s horse while on a public footpath, suffering a fractured coccyx. The incident, captured on film, drew widespread condemnation.

- 2024–25, worst offending hunt: The League Against Cruel Sports recorded 50 incidents in one season, including 20 fox chases and 30 cases of “hunt havoc.” This was the highest number for any hunt in England, confirming the Warwickshire Hunt as one of the most persistent offenders nationally.

In light of this record, and the recent conviction of a Warwickshire Hunt member, the Church must uphold compassion and integrity.

I urge you to:

- Ban the Warwickshire Hunt from using Church land.
- Clarify whether hunting is permitted on any diocesan property.
- Ensure Church land is never again used for this activity.

The Church must show leadership, as the National Trust and other landowners have done, and take a clear stand against cruelty. The Church should not be complicit in type of cruelty.

Yours sincerely,

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Ban the Warwickshire hunt from using church land

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