Two members of the Quantock Staghounds have been charged with illegally hunting a wild mammal following the release of footage showing an extended chase of stags across the Quantock Hills in Somerset. The recording, which spans approximately five hours on March 16, reportedly captures hunt participants pursuing deer using horses, hounds, quadbikes, and motorbikes before an exhausted stag was shot at close range.

Avon and Somerset Police, after reviewing the video alongside the Crown Prosecution Service, charged Chris Gibbons, the hunt master, and Martin Watts, the huntsman. Both face allegations related to illegal hunting with dogs. The charges refer to incidents occurring on March 16 and April 23 this year. The police stated that Gibbons, a man in his sixties, has been charged in connection with both episodes, while Watts, in his thirties, is charged for the March 16 incident. Both defendants are scheduled to appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on October 22.

The Hunting Act 2004 prohibits hunting wild mammals with dogs but includes exemptions permitting the use of up to two dogs to flush animals toward firearms to mitigate serious harm to livestock, crops, or game birds. These exemptions require that dogs do not enter burrows and that a competent person promptly shoots the flushed animal. The Act currently imposes no custodial sentences for violations; the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine.

This case highlights ongoing debates about the efficacy of the Hunting Act. The UK government recently initiated a public consultation on a proposed ban on trail hunting amid concerns expressed by anti-hunting campaigners and senior police officials. Critics argue that trail hunting serves as a façade to conceal unlawful hunting practices.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Longman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on hunting with hounds offences, has criticised the current legislation, stating it “is not working effectively” to deter illegal hunting and attributing prosecution difficulties to the need for legal reform.

The League Against Cruel Sports has emphasised that any prohibition on trail hunting must be accompanied by revisions to the Hunting Act to address challenges in proving intent and to strengthen sentencing guidelines to enhance deterrence.