Protesters gathered outside a Somerset Council meeting in Bridgwater to call for a more robust response to illegal fox and stag hunting in the region. Members of the group Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) voiced their concerns during the council session, alleging that local hunts were exploiting legal loopholes and evading enforcement.
The protesters urged the council to intervene more actively, accusing hunts of “getting away with it” due to limited action by authorities. However, Somerset Council acknowledged that its ability to tackle illegal hunting is greatly restricted, advising that any suspected criminal activity should instead be reported directly to the police.
Alyson Rogers, representing AAF, described Somerset as “a stronghold” for stag hunting, contrasting it with most other counties where such activities have been curtailed by persistent campaigning over many years. She clarified that stag hunting is distinct from culling, explaining, “It involves dogs, mounted riders, a long chase, quad bikes, 4x4s and people on foot. It is done for fun – not for population control.”
Ms Rogers detailed the practices involved, noting: “Hunts target healthy deer to prolong the chase. Eventually, when the stag can run no further, it is shot at close range, butchered in the field, and trophies such as antlers and hooves are collected. Sometimes, the heart is cut out and given to the landowner, while the entrails are fed to the hounds. This is done openly.”
She criticised the way hunts use the Hunting Act 2004 to justify their actions, highlighting how they claim to comply by employing only two dogs during the chase and conducting what they describe as an “experiment” on the stag. Ms Rogers dismissed this as a repeated and baseless pretext that has been used for over two decades.
“Are you content to allow this barbaric activity to continue in our county?” she challenged the council. “We’ve reported this to the police, but we want the council to take action as well.”
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, environment and climate change, expressed her personal support for AAF’s goals but emphasised the council’s limited powers. Representing the Taunton East division, she stated, “The Hunting Act 2004 prohibits hunting stags with hounds, but enforcement is the responsibility of the police. The council does not give consent for hunting activities on its land, and any requests to do so would be refused.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, responsible for highways and transport and representing the Curry Rivel and Langport division, acknowledged the depth of community concern voiced by the protesters. “While we sympathise with their views, our authorities in these matters are limited,” he explained. “We continue to operate within our legal framework, referring concerns to enforcement agencies when necessary.”
He added that any organisers wishing to use council land or highways must obtain proper consent, demonstrating that events are managed safely with appropriate risk assessments and insurance. “Trail hunts are no exception and must comply fully with these requirements,” he said.