| Stephen Firth 2007-03-31, 9:25 am |
|
Men fined for hunting rabbits with dogs
http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/ViewAr...ticleID=2091423
TWO Nelson men were arrested when they were found near a badger sett
with three dogs, one with a blood-stained muzzle.
But Blackburn magistrates heard the men had been hunting rabbits, a
fact accepted by the prosecution after items of clothing and equipment
were sent for forensic examination.
Defence solicitor Granville Rueley said it should have been clear the
men were not hunting badgers as two of the dogs they had with them
were lurchers.
"These dogs are simply not used for hunting badgers. They don't go
underground," said Mr Rueley.
John Ryan Greenwood (29), of Hammond Street, and Daniel Frank Anness
Graves (21), of Waidshouse Road, admitted hunting rabbits with dogs.
Graves was fined £50 and Greenwood £100 and both were ordered to pay
£95 costs.
Mrs Philippa White (prosecuting) said Lancashire County Council
rangers investigated after seeing a vehicle parked in Old Roman Road,
Read, close to where they knew there was a badger sett.
Graves and Greenwood had two lurchers and a terrier with them and one
was carrying a spade.
"They were initially arrested on suspicion of interfering with a
badger sett but there was no forensic evidence to link them to that,"
said Mrs White.
Mr Rueley said the only thing that put his clients in breach of the
rules was that they were not carrying written permission to be on the
land hunting rabbits. He said the men had spoken to a farmer on a
previous occasion and had received verbal permission but this was no
longer sufficient.
"It is significant that even the prosecution are not sure who owns the
land and they have taken statements from two farmers," said Mr Rueley.
"The Agriculture Act classifies rabbits and foxes as vermin and these
men were working their dogs in a lawful manner with the exception that
they were not carrying written permission."
01 March 2007
|