Tiverton Boxing Day Hunt 2024

The Tiverton hunt has been met by protestors again who have vowed to continue until the Boxing Day meet is stopped.
A motion narrowly failed at a recent Tiverton Town Council meeting when the mayor cast the deciding vote calling for the authority to oppose trail hunts and the Tiverton Foxhounds meet outside Tiverton Pannier Market.
Even if the motion had been successful, the town council has no power to stop a hunt meet given it does not happen on land that it owns.
Councillor Chris Berry who led the motion as part of the Local Independents For Tiverton (LIFT) political party, spoke at the Boxing Day meet on Thursday, December 26.
He said: I think it’s safe to say the anti-hunt movement is going well. Admittedly, there are quite a few people who may be afraid to turn up and join us today as we’ve had threats in the past.
“We are pleased to see the police have turned up today, so hopefully, it will be a nice peaceful event, and everyone can do their thing and move on peacefully.
“There’s a lot of movement on this, and I notice there are three or four more groups set up in Tiverton to protest the hunt and oppose it in various different ways. It’s a strong movement now, and I don’t see hunting in Tiverton lasting much longer.”
He promised to bring back a motion to the council in 2025 and hoped the Liberal Democrats on the council, who in the majority voted against his motion, would back it.
“They voted against my motion and then the following day posted that they were all totally against hunting and they all want a ban which I thought was interesting,” Cllr Berry said.
Cllr Berry also questioned the hunt meet saying: “You will notice they had an awful lot of dogs. I believe the legal limit in Tiverton is six dogs, and they must be on leads, but I don’t see that. They didn’t appear to be actively hunting when they came through, so I’m pretty sure they’d committed a criminal offence.
“The message to hunt supporters is that do they want to support criminal activity across the UK? These are not the best of people, and we’ve seen examples across social media recently of the hunt supporters stealing Christmas decorations. These are not the nicest people in Tiverton, so hopefully, we can move on and make Tiverton a nicer place for everyone. Family events on Boxing Day will be lovely in the town.”
This marks the first Boxing Day since the Labour Party came to power, pledging in its manifesto to “ban trail hunting.” Trail hunting involves dragging a scent-infused rag across the countryside, which a pack of hounds then searches for and follows.
Additionally, The Telegraph reports Ministers are also considering higher fines for those who break the existing law in England and Wales, making it easier to prosecute under the Hunting Act.
Boxing Day hunt meets took place in the wake of growing anger at changes to inheritance tax for farms announced in the recent Budget, resulting in dozens of protests and outcry from farming and rural organisations.
Kelvin Thomas from the Tiverton Foxhounds addressed the crowd saying: “It’s fantastic to see you all here today. As you probably already know, we’ve already been on the front page of the Tiverton Gazette, and we’re likely to be on there again for a good reason. That is because of your continued to support for us.
“ I appreciate on a worldwide stage the lunatics are running asylum but that does not prevent us from continuing to run this hunt. It’s been here for now, carrying the Tiverton label for just around 180 years, as having a registered Tiverton pack.
“There are one or two people that have been here for a lot less than that, trying to explain to us how we should operate. Thanks for your input, but we’re pretty happy to run it as we see it and we’re very happy to come here at this time of year. The crowd get bigger every year and we are respectful of your support.
“I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you and I wish you all the best of health.”

[@glennboyd7049]

What a filthy, deranged and depraved mob, all to see a defenceless wild creature tortured and killed for their entertainment. Beyond shameful..

[@Verity-f5b]

Why does a 'Trail Hunt' (as Tiverton Hunt pretends to be) need quad bikes with boxes of terriers following along? Mmmm what use might a terrier be on a 'trail hunt'? And if you ask one of the 'terriermen' you are likely to be threatened and assaulted and even rammed with a quadbike... as happened to a lady out walking on a public footpath last month.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

Yep, Im glad about how much the word is being spread about this awfull sport

[@Verity-f5b]

So sad that anyone thinks using a large pack of hounds to tear apart a small defenceless wild mammal is acceptable. This is illegal but worse it is cruel and immoral. Using terriers (as Tiverton Hunt do) to drag out an exhausted fox that has gone to ground- do those onlookers clapping and cheering think that is OK? And what happens to the hounds when they get injured or old?? Retire by the fireside? No, they are shot and dumped. Very sad.

[@DebbieTemplar]

And they call this 'culture'. Lets hope they dont fall off their horse and hurt themselves, right?

[@ajroberts4450]

As you have a shiny new KZbin account created especially for this occasion, I'd love to see your footage.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

@@ajroberts4450 Idk what u are on about. Give this a search. Theres plenty of evidence

[@heidicarman9097]

A drag hunt does not hunt a live fox, just the scent that is laid down before the hunt!

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

@@heidicarman9097 >1% actually lay a trail, also they are called trail hunts. Do some research

[@edwardbaker629]

I wonder how many people would welcome a Boxing Day, Shop Lifting Rally, in Tiverton? Hunting is as illegal a Shop Lifting (and don't give me that nonsense about Hunting within the law).

[@FrankSales-n7q]

Ok great opinion, thanks for sharing.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

I totally agree, Hunting is awfull

[@DebbieTemplar]

You spelled hunts wrong, it begins with a C

[@Jamesmcshane-y1b]

Which you are.

[@megajohnson1984]

@@Jamesmcshane-y1bpeople like her comment

[@baronnumnums]

​@@Jamesmcshane-y1b fox hunting is a shitty practice & illegal to boot. you have no leg to stand on.

[@FrankSales-n7q]

How long did it take for you to come up with that. Trail Hunting is perfectly within the law and the protestors are the ones causing issues and disrespect people's rights.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

lol

[@jeanettesnell1817]

Absolutely love to see a hunt, nice turnout ❤

[@Verity-f5b]

Why? Why do you love to see a hunt? No one involved with hunting seems to be able to give an honest reply. Is it the pretty horses? Well, you can enjoy seeing those without hunting. Tight red coats and jodhpurs? Feel free to dress up in those without killing other animals? You like dogs? The foxhounds don't have a great life living in bare concrete sheds and shot when they are no longer 'useful'. So which part of hunting do you love as you say you do?

[@studay1007]

Your ignorance speaks volumes!! And did you see any hunting🤔 ahh no you didn’t

[@freedomfighter8614]

@@studay1007 YAWN.

[@Verity-f5b]

?? Ignorance about what? Have you monitored badger setts for more than the past decade which are regularly blocked by members of the Tiverton Hunt? Have you observed and photographed members of the hunt illegally digging in badger setts and using terriers underground to pull out a fox gone to ground? Have you observed a pack of hounds surrounding a fox for the kill? I have documented this here for more than a decade. I am certainly not ignorant about the illegal hunting carried out by Tiverton Foxhounds.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

Completely Illegal under the 2004 Hunting act. "A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog, unless his hunting is exempt." These people are not Exempt. Therefore the legality of the situation is Illegal Due to the fact that the dogs are encouraged to hunt and find the foxes/mammals protected under this act. "A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale." Quotes from the official Act Document. The hounds are lead via fox urine around specifically laid trails that are often deliberately place near fox dens. People go out beforehand to block fox dens so the animals can't escape back inside. Sounds the dogs are trained on are used by the Huntsmen to call the hounds to search for or chase the foxes. The Hounds and horses are often kept in bad conditions that usually violate the Animal welfare act of 2006.

[@Jamesmcshane-y1b]

Thanks for posting lovely to see everyone out to enjoy a great days hunting. Our freedom counts.

[@Verity-f5b]

And the freedom of a wild mammal?

[@whitebeltforlife]

Freedom to exploit generational privledge and indulge in downton abbey cosplay. Grow up. This does british farmers no PR favours either.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

Completely Illegal under the 2004 Hunting act. "A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog, unless his hunting is exempt." These people are not Exempt. Therefore the legality of the situation is Illegal Due to the fact that the dogs are encouraged to hunt and find the foxes/mammals protected under this act. "A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale." Quotes from the official Act Document. The hounds are lead via fox urine around specifically laid trails that are often deliberately place near fox dens. People go out beforehand to block fox dens so the animals can't escape back inside. Sounds the dogs are trained on are used by the Huntsmen to call the hounds to search for or chase the foxes. The Hounds and horses are often kept in bad conditions that usually violate the Animal welfare act of 2006. Ur freedom counts if you hunt within the law. Sabs have reveals

[@Verity-f5b]

​@pigtastic-wv9is you are right in every part of your comment. And all this is just for the 'enjoyment' of a few depraved people. Not one member or supporter of the hunt can explain WHY they enjoy it so much. And they regularly take a few children everywhere so they can use the ' you can't photograph us because we have a child with us' excuse. It is a child protection offence to expose a child to illegal activity, animal abuse and cruelty. Which is exactly what Tiverton Hunt do, week in week out.

[@Jamesmcshane-y1b]

These not supporting should not be there. You would also find the anti hunting and those with the banners are blow-ins to Tiverton area.

[@Verity-f5b]

Rubbish! There are many local people who have lived in the countryside all their lives who disagree with the cruelty of hunting for pleasure. Many people in the countryside enjoy watching wildlife.. why should a few people who are members of the Tiverton Hunt take away the pleasure of others watching and photographing wildlife by killing as many foxes as possible- cubs, nursing mothers included- to satisfy their own desire for cruelty?

[@Jamesmcshane-y1b]

No you're talking tripe! These are genuine loving countryside residents who love and work the land and maintain it. The thing is, 'you lot' are so ignorant of the situation. Foxhunting was unfortunately banned by labour lefties back in 2004. The hunts now are drag hunts following a false scent which is laid by a runner and labour wants to bann this. How pathetic! So they're not hunting foxes, are they. I don't see 'you lot' out protesting on the daily murders in our towns and cities and illegal immigrants being housed in various hotels throughout the land. Oh no, but that's far too risky and intimidating to you. The trail hunting and riders are easy targets. You are a disgrace to UK culture and values.

[@ajroberts4450]

@@Verity-f5b But they are NOT the majority & they don't speak for the majority, despite the delusions they have that they do.

[@annhastings7095]

One of the few truly unique sports left to us...I love hunting horses and grand people who ride for enjoyment. Thanks all of you.

[@Verity-f5b]

A unique sport??? Do you not realise how depleted wildlife is in the countryside? Do you not care about the welfare of the hounds and what happens to them even if you care nothing about a small wild animal being torn apart, exhausted and terrified. It is NOT a sport. It is bloodlust, power and animal cruelty. To say nothing about a lot of the overweight riders putting a burden on their horses. Probably better if they dismounted and had a good walk themselves.

[@jonjonwp]

@@Verity-f5b 👏 👏 👏 👏 👍

[@DebbieTemplar]

@@Verity-f5b read the comment again, this time read it properly.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

@Verity-f5b I got the vibe that he was saying it sarcasticly :)

[@DebbieTemplar]

@pigtastic-wv9is I'm questioning the comment myself now after reading it a few times, I'm unsure if it's for or against.

[@roydavidlivermore4664]

I doubt if many,if any of those watching ,see a little exhausted animal,torn to pieces !

[@Verity-f5b]

Do you really, honestly, think it's OK to hurt an animal in this way? Really?

[@kudapooda9993]

Thank you for sharing your boxing day hunt , I USD to like going to the hunt on boxing day at Warwick . Take care and all the best . 👍👍👍👍😊😊😊

[@anthonyfisher4895]

I hunt any day and anytime in my land anyday.

[@DebbieTemplar]

Wow, what a civilised person you are, right?

[@Verity-f5b]

It gives you pleasure to see a smaller creature suffer? Why?

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

Completely Illegal under the 2004 Hunting act. "A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog, unless his hunting is exempt." These people are not Exempt. Therefore the legality of the situation is Illegal Due to the fact that the dogs are encouraged to hunt and find the foxes/mammals protected under this act. "A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale." Quotes from the official Act Document. The hounds are lead via fox urine around specifically laid trails that are often deliberately place near fox dens. People go out beforehand to block fox dens so the animals can't escape back inside. Sounds the dogs are trained on are used by the Huntsmen to call the hounds to search for or chase the foxes. The Hounds and horses are often kept in bad conditions that usually violate the Animal welfare act of 2006. Dont do it again u snob

[@mycolliesandme268]

@@anthonyfisher4895 what a man

[@studay1007]

Wow an anti without a Balaclava!! He must be one of the important ones? Great turn for the Hunt!! Long may it last

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

Completely Illegal under the 2004 Hunting act. "A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog, unless his hunting is exempt." These people are not Exempt. Therefore the legality of the situation is Illegal Due to the fact that the dogs are encouraged to hunt and find the foxes/mammals protected under this act. "A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale." Quotes from the official Act Document. The hounds are lead via fox urine around specifically laid trails that are often deliberately place near fox dens. People go out beforehand to block fox dens so the animals can't escape back inside. Sounds the dogs are trained on are used by the Huntsmen to call the hounds to search for or chase the foxes. The Hounds and horses are often kept in bad conditions that usually violate the Animal welfare act of 2006. i swear ima have to do this to every comment that doesnt understand

[@studay1007]

@ do what you like to as many comments as you can! Their was no crime committed at this event as you did not see any hunting taking place! Great bit of copy and pasting, but as per a narrow minded approach to something you know nothing about.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

@@studay1007 ''I dont understand,,, no ''nothing about''. Bit rich dont you think considering i actually took some time to do research. So what iv never been out. I have seen the evidence to know the wrong sort for myself. Of corse they wouldn be committing crimes in front of everyone. You are part of the 18% that believe what they do is legal. Living in cambridge and being in association with many who research this act, I have a well formulated opinion thank you very much.

[@studay1007]

@ 1. Bit rich in what way? 2. At no point have I said I agree with fox hunting? 3. Again I ask you for the evidence? Before you accuse people of committing a crime. 4. Where are you getting your 18% statistics from? The same web page you copy and paste the law from? 5. Please don’t assume you know who I am or what I stand for off of a few comments on you tube. Again narrow mindedness let’s you down

[@ajroberts4450]

I would love to see the groups listed as mentioned by the man in the glasses who was interviewed. They may have been shouting "WE don't want you here" but they don't speak for the majority of the people who turned up to support the event, which was clearly seen. Jumped up councillors with an inflated sense of entitlement who have no right to tell people how to live their own lives. Go back to the big city & leave the traditions to those who continue to honour them & pass them down to the younger generations. So great to see so many younger riders out with their families, & great to see so many kids out with their parents supporting them. See you all next year! 🥃👏🏻😊

[@Verity-f5b]

The majority of people DON'T support hunting. Many people who have lived in the countryside all their lives do not like to see the damage done by hunts, and absolutely do not agree with tearing apart a small wild mammal for human thrills.

[@Verity-f5b]

A nice tradition to pass on to young children??? Do you want to live in a world where children are taught it is fine to cause fear, pain and suffering to any animal? Do you think a teacher should bring a pack of hounds into school and let them tear apart a child's kitten or the class guinea pig in front of a cheering crowd? What's the difference? And traditions.. what a pathetic excuse. 'Traditionally' hunting people did not drive around the countryside in diesel vehicles, nor use mobile phones or GPS tracking devices... Traditions?? You think it's OK for members of the hunt to dig up badgers too so they can be tortured? Dog fighting? You think that's a fun and jolly tradition for children to get involved in too?

[@ajroberts4450]

@@Verity-f5b The numbers of supporters up & down the country speak for themselves. Those rose coloured glasses of yours must be broken.

[@Verity-f5b]

The National Trust now bans 'trail hunting' and 'exercising hounds' as these are well-known excuses for illegal fox hunting. Regular polls show the majority of people don't want wild animals killed for 'sport'. Which bit do you like? Everyone would be happy with going for a ride in the countryside, dressing up, even blowing silly horns... just don't commit a CRIME. The crime of killing a wild mammal by tearing it apart with a pack of hounds The Hunting Act, passed by democratically elected government, makes this a crime.

[@Fivealiveyes]

In the Name of Allaah the Most Gracious and Most Merciful ✨️.🕋 To Testify that None has a right to be worshipped except Allaah ☝️and to testify that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allaah

[@richardthurston92]

Fantastic love it ❤❤

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

Completely Illegal under the 2004 Hunting act. "A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog, unless his hunting is exempt." These people are not Exempt. Therefore the legality of the situation is Illegal Due to the fact that the dogs are encouraged to hunt and find the foxes/mammals protected under this act. "A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale." Quotes from the official Act Document. The hounds are lead via fox urine around specifically laid trails that are often deliberately place near fox dens. People go out beforehand to block fox dens so the animals can't escape back inside. Sounds the dogs are trained on are used by the Huntsmen to call the hounds to search for or chase the foxes. The Hounds and horses are often kept in bad conditions that usually violate the Animal welfare act of 2006.

[@Jamesmcshane-y1b]

😭😭😭😭💔

[@hansl6227]

👍

[@maximush9811]

This

[@St-lan]

its an English tradition. you always demand that outsiders should integrate and be part of british culture , can you notice the hypocrisy ?..

[@Verity-f5b]

What do you mean by 'Tradition'? Isn't enjoying wildlife, watching it with care, drawing or photographing nature... aren't those good traditions too? Why can't people who truly love the countryside and WATCHING wildlife not be able to enjoy it too? Hunting now is not traditional when diesel vehicles are used, quad bikes with GPS follow along, they all have mobiles to communicate the direction of the poor creature they want to kill. That's not traditional.. do you mean a few people killing animals for sport is traditional and therefore we should all celebrate this and join in?

[@CarolHalsey-pc1in]

A drag hunt is.....they chase a sent which is dragged by a tractor and the sent is usually aniseed based....not animals.. people need educating

[@DebbieTemplar]

@@CarolHalsey-pc1in Ha! They need educating? Says the person who can't spell 'scent' 🤭 OK.

[@pigtastic-wv9is]

not rlly. they use fox based, sometimes the dogs ' accidentally follow a real fox trail, 'and the huntsmen 's " voice is to worn out to call them back so they watch cheering on". very

[@Verity-f5b]

You really believe a tractor drags a scent?? If you see the areas where the hunt go, no tractor could even begin to get through the woodland and other areas I have watched the hunt go. They want to kill live foxes. It is a addiction to cruelty, bloodshed and the power over the life and death of another creature. If you really believe they are hurting an artificial scent, please ask them why they have cages of terriers (and spades) on the back of quads following the hunt.

[@Verity-f5b]

And if you REALLY believe they are following a pretend scent, when you have asked them why they need terriers (and spades) on the back of quads following the hunt ... THEN please also ask why the riders and hangers on surround a small wood, thicket or similar area with much horn blowing (their nice shiny trumpets) then all slap their saddles and shout... do you think that might be to scare a hiding fox out? Or do you believe it's all fun and pretend still?

[@studay1007]

@Verity-f5b you really do live in your little world of hate! Lots of people saying how cruel and nasty drag hunting is? But know one can provide any evidence of this? I am more than happy to stand corrected if someone can show me evidence of a fox being haunted this Boxing Day.