Hunt Trespassers On Railway Lines

EDM number 594 in 1994-95, proposed by David Hinchliffe on 10/02/1995.

That this House notes with concern the mutilation and subsequent death of a fox hound from the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt when its hind leg was severed following the hunt trespassing on an operational railway line near Adber between Yeovil and Castle Cary in Somerset on 8th February; further notes that this is not an isolated incident, following on from the death of a hound from the York and Ainsty North Hunt in January and a number of incidents involving the Bicester with Whaddon Chase hunt crossing operational railway lines in 1994 and 1995; considers that hunters are acting irresponsibly in not adequately controlling their hounds and creating a danger not only to hounds but also to public safety; calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to seek an urgent meeting with Railtrack to ensure that hunters are not allowed to endanger their animals or the public by their total disregard for safety; and urges the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider a prosecution for causing unnecessary suffering to the hound under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 section 1(1)(a).

This motion has been signed by a total of 51 MPs.