3 days Ago
Mark Anthony Pearson, 64, Thomas Michael Lyle, 34, and Marcus Boundy, 22, are charged with hunting a wild mammal with dogs in Stourpaine on September 15, 2022 as part of the Blandford-based Portman Hunt. They deny the charge in a trial which began yesterday at Weymouth Magistrates Court. The defendants claim their hunting was a trail hunt, a legal form of hunting activity, where foxhounds follow a pre-laid trail.
During the trail hunt, a live fox was chased by the dogs. The defendants, all of Blandford, allege that the chasing of the fox was unintentional and unplanned. The prosecution says the hunting "became illegal, if not intended to be".
Adam Cooper, prosecuting, said: "The defendants say that at no time did they intentionally hunt a wild mammal with a dog. "They say the pursuit was accidental, unintentional or they were unaware." He added: "A trail was laid one to two hours before 8am.
"In a maize field, the hunt takes a turn when the hounds catch the real scent of a live fox. "The defendants were responsible for the hounds and they do nothing to call off the dogs. "Mr Lyle was the Master of the Portman Hunt.
.. Tom Lawrence.
