Somerset ranks as one of the top counties for hunting incidents, with a new report highlighting the effects on local communities, wildlife, and the pressures on police resources.

The Case for a Proper Ban on Hunting report, published by animal welfare group Protect the Wild, catalogues incidents from the 2023/24 hunting season, calling attention to what it describes as "ongoing illegal hunting practices" and calling for stronger laws to curb the activity.

The report places Somerset in the top three counties for hunting incidents across England and Wales, with 223 incidents recorded over the hunting season. Only Dorset and Gloucestershire saw more activity, with 251 and 218 incidents, respectively.

Protect the Wild's findings, based on cases logged by monitoring groups, the media, and the public, reveal a notable persistence of hunting practices despite the Hunting Act 2004, which was intended to ban the use of dogs to chase wild mammals.

According to the data, Somerset saw 150 instances of deer being pursued, with 26 resulting in kills. The Devon and Somerset Staghounds and the Quantock Staghounds accounted for the majority of these pursuits, with Protect the Wild logging a combined total of 63 deer chased and 17 killed. Protect the Wild reported that hunt saboteurs and animal rights activists attended record numbers of staghound meets this season, documenting 53 events where deer were allegedly chased. The Devon and Somerset Staghounds were recorded chasing deer on 23 occasions, resulting in 12 kills, while the Quantock Staghounds were observed chasing deer 40 times, with four confirmed kills.

Local hunt saboteur groups reported various other incidents involving the Mendip Farmers Hunt, including an incident on 9 March 2024 where hounds reportedly "terrorised" a dog being walked in East Harptree Woods, a Somerset Forestry England site.

The same group is alleged to have run hounds through a special educational needs school on another occasion, causing disruptions to student transport. Hunt saboteurs also reported witnessing the group blocking badger setts to prevent foxes from escaping, raising concerns about animal welfare and the safety of local communities. A separate incident involving the Mendip Farmers Hunt reportedly led to road safety issues, with hounds hit by a car in West Harptree on the same day.

These findings were compounded by data showing Somerset as one of the counties with high levels of police presence at hunting events. According to the report, 25 police units were called to local hunts throughout the season, suggesting a significant allocation of law enforcement resources to manage these gatherings.

Protect the Wild has argued for a new Hunting of Mammals Bill, drafted by animal rights group Advocates for Animals, to address loopholes in the current legislation. "The evidence is there for all to see. Until this government works to bring about legislative change, we will continue to see the illegal persecution of wildlife across the country," said Rob Pownall, founder of Protect the Wild.

The Countryside Alliance has defended hunting and other rural activities, calling for greater support for rural traditions from the government.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "While there have indeed been prosecutions for breaching the Hunting Act – some hunts have rightly been severely penalised by the British Hounds Sports Association – to blame and ban all 229 hunts would be grossly illiberal. A ban would also ignore the consequences of hunt kennels, staff, hounds all being made redundant, as well as the detrimental effect on associated trades, such as farriers and feed merchants, that rely on hunts, many of which are, in effect, small rural businesses.

"People should not rely on 'evidence' produced by anti-hunting groups, whether they be so-called 'hunt monitors' or hunt saboteurs, who will be far from neutral. The countryside is for everyone. This is why we urge the government to promote responsible access, ensuring that both habitat protection and food production can be achieved hand in hand. Our rural traditions and practices should be celebrated and respected, not demonised."