ANIMAL rights campaigners are calling on Herefordshire Council to ban a county hunt meet due to safety concerns.

Nick Weston, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, has written to council leader Jonathan Lester following the Ledbury Hunt meet in the town’s High Street last Boxing Day.

In his letter, he calls on the council to commit to ‘never again’ allow the hunt to take place in the market town.

“Large groups of hunt riders and hounds meeting creates a health and safety hazard – with highways obstructed and passers-by, including families with young children, forced into narrow spaces,” he said.

“It is only a matter of time before somebody is injured as a direct result of these chaotic scenes and no risk assessment can realistically mitigate that likelihood.

“A number of local authorities – including Tetbury Council and Elham Council – have already committed to not allowing hunts to meet or parade on public land under their jurisdiction.”

A spokesperson for the Ledbury Hunt said street closures are agreed in advance with the council and their agents and all their safety recommendations are met, including the erection of barriers where considered appropriate.

“Stewards are in place to direct motor traffic away from the central area and hunt staff are present immediately afterwards to clear up any horse or hound droppings,” he said.

He also said they comply with the Hunting Act 2004 but that they are one of many hunts that are regularly subjected to spurious allegations regarding their legal hunting activities.

“Health and safety are of the upmost importance to the hunt and arrangements are always put in place to enable our activities to be conducted in a safe, legal and sensible way,” he added.

“The Boxing Day meet is such a special day for the rural community that it would be a travesty if Herefordshire Council was pressurised to cancel this popular festive event.”

The meet is a tradition that has been taking place in Ledbury on Boxing Day since at least 1846.

“It is hugely popular and attracts possibly more spectators each year than any other event in the town,” he said.

“Everyone has a good time, it is a great event for families and people of all ages, the children love meeting the hounds and the hounds love the children.”

A Herefordshire Council spokesman confirmed that they had received the letter but said the council does not host hunt meets.

“Herefordshire Council grants road closures where necessary and when appropriate applications are submitted,” he said.

“Consideration of any potential impact on public safety and on the movement of all traffic on the network is given to every application, prior to any decision to approve.

“Responsibility for the enforcement of offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highways Act 1980, in regard to matters such as the obstruction of the highway in the event that no road closure is lawfully in place, is the responsibility of the police.”