AN anti-fox hunting group has called on the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show to not let hunt groups display their hounds at the show this year.
Organisers have allowed both hunts to parade their hounds in the main ring for many years.
Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) has now written to the show in light of convictions that have come to light in the past year.
As previously reported by your New Blackmore Vale, members of both the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale (BSV) Hunt and the Portman Hunt have been convicted of illegal fox hunting since the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show was last held in August.
Specifically, two members of the Portman Hunt – Tom Lyle and Marcus Boundy – were found guilty in September 2024, while four men who attended a BSV Hunt – Conall McGrath, George Pierce, Andrew Osborne, and Freddie Osborne -were also convicted under the Hunting Act in April of this year.
AAF described the incidents as “deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable” – and while both groups claim to engage in trail hunting, AAF said it is often used as a “smokescreen” for illegal fox hunting.
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A spokesperson said: “In light of these convictions, I, and others, have written to the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show organisers to ask them to confirm that neither of these hunts will be permitted to display their hounds this year.
“However, the show has not responded. This suggests that the hunts will be present at the show.
“Considering the standing of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show within the community, and the enjoyment it brings to so many people both locally and beyond, it would be regrettable if allowing individuals with recent convictions to parade at the show were to tarnish the otherwise positive reputation of the event.”
The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show was contacted for comment.
The show raises funds for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society and will take place on August 13 and 14.
Welldone AAF for continuing to highlight this barbaric ” sport “. Hunting is coming to an end , show casing the hunt gives a false imagine to this illegal practice , which is hiding behind the lie of Trail hunting.
Allowing convicted criminals to promote an illegal activity at your show. How disgusting and irresponsible.
If you dont like that much dont go.. plenty of other people will be enjoying themselves there
The show needs to stand up and be counted! These illegal fox killers should be kicked into touch.
Why are they supporting these CONVICTED CRIMINALS?
Disgraceful that you are supporting an illegal, utterly cruel ‘sport’ that belongs in the history books! We are all aware that trail hunting is a mere ruse! Hounds have been fed btb infected meat & live a miserable SHORT life and, as a dog lover, it breaks my heart to know how they are treated!
Looking forward to seeing the hounds at the show
The show organisers confirmed to a wildlife group in March 2022 that they would not support any hunts whose members had criminal convictions in connection with hunting. If they fail to uphold this undertaking in spite of being made aware of the facts in these cases, it would demonstrate that their word is not to be trusted.
How are they allowed to have convicted criminals at this show with their pretend legal activities hood winking tge general public it’s an insane situation. We should be stamping out cruelty not encouraging it.