hunt terrierman sentenced for cruelty to a fox

Wildlife and Countryside Link Wildlife Crime in 2021 report16

Contribution from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS)

In December 2021, the terrierman for the East Essex hunt, Paul O’Shea, was caught being filmed flushing a fox from an artificial earth with the use of a hard ‘terrier’ (one that will still attack and bite a fox as opposed to stand off and indicate).

The horrific and graphic film footage also showed O’Shea then trying to pin the fox to the ground using a four-pronged fork. The footage was handed to Essex Police which resulted in O’Shea being interviewed and subsequently charged with two offences of illegal hunting and causing an animal unnecessary suffering.

He pleaded guilty to both offences. O’Shea was banned from keeping dogs for five years, fined £233, received an 18-week custodial sentence that was suspended for two years and also handed a 200- hour community service order. This sentence was significant as since the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 was enacted, offenders are liable for a custodial sentence of up to five years.