Calls are mounting for significant reforms to the fox hunting laws following the sudden dropping of a court case against a senior member of a Cotswolds hunt. Last month, Gloucestershire police charged 46-year-old Oliver Dale with three offences under Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004, relating to Hunting a Wild Mammal with Dogs.
The alleged incidents occurred at multiple locations across the Cotswolds on October 12, November 2, and November 16, 2024. A court hearing was scheduled for May 14 in Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court, but the case has now been discontinued.
Gloucestershire police declined to explain the decision, citing it was made by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). However, sources indicate that police officers involved expressed disappointment, having invested considerable effort to bring the case forward.
READ MORE: Not a Blackcurrant Bush in Sight: £6m Ribena Factory Electricity Upgrade Plans Deferred
READ MORE: Zara Tindall’s Daily Breakfast Habit That Boosts Gut and Bone Health
Hunt saboteurs, who contributed photographic and video evidence to the investigation, share that frustration. At the time of the alleged offences, Mr. Dale was the master huntsman for the North Cotswold Hunt but has since moved to the Heythrop Hunt in Oxfordshire.
Opponents of hunting hailed the initial charges as a rare and bold step against a high-ranking hunting figure. Lynn Sawyer of the Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs commented: “The police notified us that the case was dropped without clear explanation. Despite abundant evidence, the fact remains the Hunting Act is difficult to enforce. If a law can’t be enforced, it’s almost meaningless.”
Ms Sawyer, whose group protects wildlife across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire, added: “While it’s disappointing the case was halted, the important takeaway is the need for urgent reform. The Hunting Act must be strengthened significantly.”
A spokesperson for the CPS stated: “The CPS continually reviews cases to assess their viability. After re-evaluating the evidence, we concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction, leading to the discontinuation of this case.”
Efforts to contact Mr. Dale for comment have been made.