HUNT WELL SUPPORTED
RETFORD'S Grove and Rufford Boxing Day Hunt received enthusiastic support again this year despite being the first since the new ban.
Over 90 people took part in the hunt and 350 supporters attended the traditional meet held at the White Horse, Barnby Moor.
And hunt master Lynda Howard, was impressed by the turn-out.
"We were worried about what would happen next when the hunting act was passed. But support this year has been incredible and it's great to see more people are interested."
"Fortunately we are a very close pack and have stayed positive," she said.
The Hunting Act 2004 came into force in February this year and states that hunts are no longer allowed to use dogs to chase down foxes.
For the first Boxing Day meet since the changes to the law, the Grove and Rufford Hunt used artificial scent lines.
"I went round to speak to all the farmers about their live stock before the hunt. They were pleased to see us and still very positive," she said.
And despite rumours of packs flouting the law, Mrs Howard said they had played it by the book.
"There's no way we'd break the law, we can't afford to," she said.
"And although our hands are tied, despite all the fuss, we are not the sort of people who would break the law anyway."
The RSPCA was pleased to see more 'humane' hunts and predicted many hunts would successfully convert to trail or drag hunting.
"Thankfully the cruel sport of hunting wild animals with dogs is now an enforceable crime, and those who think otherwise will, where evidence comes to light, find themselves in court," said John Rolls, RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion.
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Weather for Worksop
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
