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League Against Cruel Sports

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League Against Cruel Sports
Formation1924; 100 years ago (1924)[1]
FoundersErnest Bell, Henry B. Amos, and George Greenwood
TypeCharity
Registration no.1095234[2]
Legal statusCharity
PurposeAnimal welfare
Location
Region
 United Kingdom
President
Bill Oddie[1]
Acting Chief Executive
Chris Luffingham[3]
Chair
Dan Norris[4]
Websiteleague.org.uk
Formerly called
League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports

The League Against Cruel Sports, formerly known as the League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports, is a UK-based animal welfare charity which campaigns to stop blood sports such as fox hunting, hare and deer hunting; game bird shooting; and animal fighting. The charity helped bring about the Hunting Act 2004 and Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, which banned hunting with hounds in England, Wales and Scotland.

History

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The League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports was founded in 1924 by Ernest Bell, Henry B. Amos[5] and George Greenwood, with the support of Henry Stephens Salt, Edward Carpenter and George Bernard Shaw.[6] The League was founded due to frustration over the RSPCA's lack of "emphasis on the abolition of hunting or on Royalty to stop hunting".[7] In 1929, Captain Edmund T. MacMichael commented that although the League condemns all forms of hunting they were primarily concerned with abolition of stag hunting and demanding the substitution of a drag in place of any living animal.[8] The League's official journal Cruel Sports was published monthly.[9]

In 1931, Ernest Bell and Stephen Coleridge resigned in protest over Henry Amos's continuous criticism of the RSPCA.[7][10] Lady Cory who was also a member of the RSPCA resigned her presidency in 1932 as the League's journal had criticized other animal welfare societies and individuals.[11] In 1932, a split-off organization, the National Society for the Abolition of Cruel Sports was formed by Ernest Bell and Stephen Coleridge following an internal dispute within the League over their relationship with the RSPCA.[7][12]

In 1937, Hugh Walpole wrote an article in Cruel Sports describing his negative experience of fox hunting, "I have never in all my experience of war seen anything so terrified as that fox. I realised that morning I had seen a perfectly bestial thing... I don't believe the fox or the otter enjoys being hunted; I believe they experience fear, dismay, and pain".[9] The League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports was renamed the League Against Cruel Sports in 1938.[6]

In 1954, Joseph Sharp, secretary of the league advocated humane destruction of foxes by cyanide fumigation.[13] In 1957, chairman Edward Hemingway proposed a Bill to be designed to give deer on Exmoor and Quantock Hills statutory protection which would bring an end to the "distressing scenes of the hunt".[14] In 1958, Hemingway and Sharp purchased the freehold for Slowley Woods, near Luxborough which was the first League Against Cruel Sports sanctuary "for wild animals, particular those that are hunted".[15]

It was reported in 1959 that members of the League were creating false chemical trails on Exmoor to confuse hounds when hunts take place.[16] Edward Hemingway was using a "secret system" which was sent to him by a Scottish estate worker to confuse stag hunters from finding deer where they were expected.[16] In 1959, Lord Grey De Ruthyn signed a letter of protest to Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh accusing Prince Philip of teaching Prince Charles to like blood sports.[17]

In 1961, four League members who were opponents of fox hunting were expelled from the RSPCA.[18] The RSPCA council unanimously decided that their conduct had been "prejudicial to the interests of the society".[18] One of the members that had been excluded gained support from 274 RSPCA members that there should be a poll on fox hunting. Edward Hemingway stated that RSPCA's expulsion of the four members was "an insult to the whole animal welfare movement".[18]

In 1962, the League sent members of the RSPCA 20,828 ballot papers on the issue of fox hunting.[19] Nearly 8000 papers were returned. The result was 1291 for fox hunting and 6343 against.[19] Edward Hemingway commented that the ballot was held at the request of the RSPCA members. The RSPCA responded by warning its members to ignore the ballot and stated that the ballot was not valid as it had not been authorized. The League's executive committee concluded "an inescapable conclusion which must be drawn from the result is that the RSPCA, as at present constituted, is not any longer a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals".[19]

The League considers commercial greyhound racing to be cruel and inhumane. In 2014, the League published a report with GREY2K USA Worldwide on the state of greyhound racing in Great Britain.[20]

In 2024, the League expressed concerns about fox hunters exploiting a loophole in The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023. The law introduced a licensing scheme which allows the use of more than two dogs in limited circumstances. The league noted that at least 41 licences were issued in the first hunting season since the act was introduced.[21]

Presidents

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Early presidents included Lady Cory, Alasdair Alpin MacGregor, Stephen Coleridge and Hamilton Fyfe.[22][23][24] In 1947, Edith Sitwell was president of the League.[25] Lord Grey de Ruthyn was president in the 1950s up until his death in 1963. In 1958, he announced his intention of speaking in the House of Lords to further the League's campaign against hunting.[26]

Donald Soper was president of the League from 1967 to 1997.[27] Annette Crosbie was president from 2003 to 2006.[28]

Activism

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In 1988, it was reported that the League purchased 36 properties at a cost of 2.5 million to establish 2500 acres of wildlife.[29] The League owns several wildlife reserves in and around Exmoor and Quantock Hills to prevent cruel sports from taking place.[30]

The League supported the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act, passed in 2002 by the Scottish Parliament, and the Hunting Act 2004.[31] The League has campaigned against commercial breeding of non-native game birds for shooting, and against hunts that it believes are continuing to hunt wild mammals contrary to the 2004 ban.

It also campaigns to extend hunting legislation from Scotland, England and Wales to Northern Ireland. Between 2006 and 2008, it successfully undertook private prosecutions against four hunt officials under the Hunting Act, because the police would not take action, and argued that this showed that the Hunting Act was clear in its meaning.[32][33] The first prosecution led to a conviction, but this was overturned on appeal,[34] and the second conviction was upheld in the Crown Court.[35]

Controversies

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James Barrington a former Executive Director of the League Against Cruel Sports who later became a consultant to the Countryside Alliance has alleged that mismanagement by the League on Baronsdown reserve has caused large outbreaks of Bovine tuberculosis in deer.[36] He has criticized the League for its lack of wildlife management.[37] The League has denied the allegation.[36] John Bryant a former Press Officer and Wildlife Research Officer commented that James Barrington met with leading members of the hunting fraternity without the knowledge of the League's Executive Committee. After Barrington resigned from the League over a claim of constructive dismissal, he accepted a settlement of £20,000 and became pro-hunting.[38]

In 2019, it was reported that saboteurs have refused to co-operate with the League after accusing them of using information they gained to promote themselves.[39] Martin Sims, the League's Director of Investigations has been criticized by saboteurs for attending hunt fundraising events including a point to point race organized by the Cornwall Hunt Club.[40] In response, a spokesperson for the League commented that Sims attended the races because his daughter is pursuing a career as a jockey and given the dangers he wanted to attend.[40]

Political allegations

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In 1983, Richard Course a former Executive Director of the League was quoted in The Times as pledging to give the Labour Party £100,000 for the general election. After Labour lost the election it is alleged that Richard Course had never intended to give the party the money.[41] Course denied such allegations and stated they were being promoted by the British Field Sports Society to spread disinformation and the League has never given money to a political party.[42] In 1986, Charles Nodder, Information Officer for the British Field Sports Society stated that Course had "misrepresented the facts" as in the annual report of the League for 1979 there is a statement which says "The League made a donation of £80,000 to the Labour party".[43]

In May, 1983 a High Court Judge ruled that the Labour Party must repay 50,000 of the election gift from the League. The other £30,000 given by the League to publicize Labour's animal welfare policies need not be returned.[44] Eric Heffer a vice-president of the League stated the situation was "regrettable" but the Labour party would obey the court's decision to repay £50,000 to the league.[44]

In 1988, Richard Course resigned over a dispute with the committee. He alleged that donations from the League had been made to fund Labour candidates without knowledge of its members and that accounts had been faked to conceal transactions. He demanded a department of trade investigation into the League.[45] The allegations were denied by Donald Soper.[45]

In 2010, the League was censured by the Charity Commission for describing the Conservatives as the "nasty party".[46] The commission said the League's claim, published in a press release had contravened charity rules on party political neutrality. In a regulatory case report the Commission stated that the "wording chosen by the charity was party political in character and went beyond the sort of statement that a charity can properly make".[47] The League agreed to withdraw its press release.[46]

In July 2024, it was reported that the police were investigating fraud allegations against the League.[48] Andy Knott, the League's former chief executive alleged that their fundraising appeals in the run-up to the 2024 United Kingdom general election were misleading. It was also reported that Knott is taking the League and Labour MP Dan Norris, the former chair to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal. Knott has alleged that the Labour Party was "interfering in the strategy and operations of the charity".[49] In September 2024, Surrey Police dropped its investigation into fraud allegations made against the League due to lack of evidence. A spokesperson for the League commented, "there was clearly no merit to the claims made against us".[50]

Malpractice allegations

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In 2015, it was claimed that whistleblowers’ concerns about alleged malpractice within the League were not investigated properly.[51] Allegations made of bullying and sexist culture at the top of the organization were strongly denied by the League. John Cooper a barrister who had been president of the league since 2011 was removed from his position. Cooper commented that "my summary removal as president, without any prior warning, discussion or communication, is a direct result of my taking the decision to support vulnerable staff against management and trustees".[51]

In 2018, Chris Williamson was suspended from the League and expelled from their board after he raised concerns about the actions of their senior management team.[52] Williamson alleged that they asked a computer expert to hack the email account of Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance. Seven trustees also resigned. The Charity Commission responded that they were investigating the allegations.[53] The League denied all allegations and commented that they were "motivated purely by ex-trustees with a grudge".[52] The League also stated that Williamson was expelled "after he supported someone who was abusing members of staff".[52][54]

In 2018, Jordi Casamitjana alleged he was sacked by the League after disclosing it invested pension funds in firms involved in animal testing and that he was discriminated against because of his ethical vegan belief. The League stated that he was dismissed because of gross misconduct.[55][56] Casamitjana took legal action against the League which ended in an out-of-court settlement in his favour.[57] In 2020, the League commented, "Having revisited the issue we now accept that Mr Casamitjana did nothing wrong with such communications, which were motivated by his belief in ethical veganism. We are grateful to Mr Casamitjana for having raised the issue of pensions to us, which allowed us to change our default pension fund to an ethical one closer to our values."[58]

Peter Egan and Penny Morgan, both vice-presidents of the League were sacked in 2018. It is alleged that Egan was removed for asking questions about the failures of the League which led to the Charity Commission using its statutory powers against it.[59] Egan alleged he was forced out as he "wanted an open and transparent discussion". Morgan said she had been removed "for daring to ask some questions about what's going on in a wonderful animal charity that seems to be suffering upheavals".[39]

Timeline

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  • 1924 – The League was founded by Henry B. Amos to oppose rabbit coursing[60] – he was successful in achieving a ban. This resulted in the organisation expanding its remit to include other blood sports – such as fox, hare and deer hunting.
  • 1975 – A bill seeking to ban hare coursing, supported by the League, was passed through the House of Commons, but did not receive approval in the House of Lords.
  • 1978 – The League secured legal protection for otters, including a ban on hunting them. The aquatic mammal was up until that point hunted with packs of hounds, one of the reasons for their numbers declining.
  • 1992 – The League helped secure the Protection of Badgers Act, which expanded the protection of the mammals themselves to their setts. The homes of badgers are illegally targeted for several reasons, including being blocked by fox hunts to stop animals being pursued by hounds fleeing underground.
  • 2002 – Fox, hare and deer hunting and hare coursing was banned in Scotland under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, which was introduced by MSPs following campaigning by the League and other animal protection organisations.
  • 2004 – Fox, hare and deer hunting and hare coursing was banned in England and Wales under the Hunting Act 2004. The legislation was introduced by MPs following campaigning by the League and other animal protection organisations.
  • 2005 – The Hunting Act 2004 came into force – making fox, hare and deer hunting and coursing illegal across England and Wales.
  • 2005 – The Waterloo Cup hare coursing competition held its final meeting at Great Altcar in Lancashire, closing after 169 years following passage of the Hunting Act.
  • 2006 – A huntsman with the Exmoor Foxhounds was found guilty of illegally hunting foxes with dogs in a private prosecution brought by LACS, but the case was overturned on appeal.[61][62]
  • 2007 – Two members of the Quantock Staghounds were successfully prosecuted by the League following chasing a deer across Exmoor.[63]
  • 2008 – Two members of the Minehead Harriers pleaded guilty to chasing a fox with a pack of hounds in a private prosecution by LACS.[64]
  • 2009 – The League announced a new campaign against dog fighting, amidst news reports that there is an increase in dog fighting in London.
  • 2014 - The League celebrates 90 years of campaigning against cruelty to animals in the name of sport. Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that there have been 341 convictions under the Hunting Act 2004.
  • 2015 – Prime Minister David Cameron offered a free-vote on repealing the Hunting Act, backing down shortly afterwards following pressure form the League, MPs and other animal protection organisations.
  • 2015 – Cross-channel ferry companies stop shipping pheasants and partridges from French factory-farms to British shooting estates, following an investigation and lobbying by the League.
  • 2018 – Conservative Party drops its manifesto commitment to offer a free-vote on repealing the Hunting Act following pressure from the League, meaning no Westminster party any longer supports repealing the hunting ban.
  • 2018 – Scottish Government announces intention to strengthen the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, which bans hunting with hounds in Scotland, following pressure from the League and other animal protection organisations.
  • 2018 – Welsh Government bans pheasant and partridge shooting on public land following campaigning and pressure from the League and Animal Aid.
  • 2018 – The Labour Party backs calls made by the League to strengthen the Hunting Act – including prison sentences for those who chase and kill wild mammals.
  • 2019 – University of Wales suspends pheasant shooting on its countryside campus at Gregynog Hall following campaigning by the League.
  • 2024 – The League welcomed the Labour Party's manifesto commitment to ban trail hunting.[65]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Who we are and the history of the League". League Against Cruel Sports.
  2. ^ "The League Against Cruel Sports - Charity 1095234". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  3. ^ "Meet the Senior Management Team". League Against Cruel Sports.
  4. ^ "Our Trustees". League Against Cruel Sports.
  5. ^ May, Allyson N. (2016). The Fox-Hunting Controversy, 1781–2004: Class and Cruelty. Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-4094-4220-2
  6. ^ a b "The League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports". Henry S. Salt Society. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Karmer, Molly Baer. (2022). Pressure From Within: Internecine Conflict in the English Animal Protection Movement, 1950-1975. In Bruce L. Kinzer, Molly Baer Kramer, Richard Trainor. Reform and Its Complexities in Modern Britain: Essays Inspired by Sir Brian Harrison. Oxford University Press. pp. 179-202. ISBN 978-0192863423
  8. ^ "The League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports". The Northern Whig and Belfast Post. 18 March 1929. p. 11. (subscription required)
  9. ^ a b "Hugh Walpole and the Fox". Edinburgh Evening News. 9 April 1937. p. 16. (subscription required)
  10. ^ Allen, Daniel; Watkins, Charles; Matless, David (April 2016). "'An incredibly vile sport': Campaigns against Otter Hunting in Britain, 1900–39". Rural History. 27 (1): 79–101. doi:10.1017/S0956793315000175. ISSN 0956-7933.
  11. ^ "Lady Cory and Cruel Sports League: Why She Resigned the Presidency". 4 November 1932. p. 9. (subscription required)
  12. ^ Tichelar, Michael. (2016). The History of Opposition to Blood Sports in Twentieth Century England: Hunting at Bay. Taylor & Francis. p. 51. ISBN 978-1315399775
  13. ^ "League Against Cruel Sports". Derby Evening Telegraph. 5 May 1954. p. 1. (subscription required)
  14. ^ "Anti-Hunt Bodies Attacked". Somerset Country Herald & Taunton Courier. 16 March 1957. p. 1. (subscription required)
  15. ^ "Celebrating 60 years of the first League sanctuary". League Against Cruel Sports. 2018. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Secret weapon foils these stag-hunters". Sunday Mirror. 29 March 1959. p. 3. (subscription required)
  17. ^ "League Attacks Prince Philip". Daily Herald. 18 March 1959. p. 7. (subscription required)
  18. ^ a b c "R.S.P.C.A Expel Five Opponents of Hunting". Edinburgh Evening News. 22 July 1961. p. 8. (subscription required)
  19. ^ a b c "RSPCA in big new storm over vote on fox-hunting". Daily Mirror. 17 January 1962. p. 1. (subscription required)
  20. ^ "The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain: A mandate for change" (PDF). League Against Cruel Sports. 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2024.
  21. ^ McDougall, Ryan (23 August 2024). "Foxhunts exploiting loophole in ban, says animal charity". The Times. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Notes on the resignation of A. A. MacGregor from the presidency of the League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports". d.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  23. ^ Who's Who 1935. The Macmillan Company. p. 575
  24. ^ Kean, Hilda. (1998). Animal Rights: Political and Social Change in Britain since 1800. Reaktion Books. p. 186. ISBN 1-86189-014-1
  25. ^ "Dame Edith Sitwell: Renowned poet, novelist and individualist". The Scotsman. 10 December 1964. p. 12. (subscription required)
  26. ^ "Peer Finds Mother's Birth Certificate". The Birmingham Post & Gazette. 28 March 1958. p. 7. (subscription required)
  27. ^ "Hunting and the Clergy". Animal Cruelty Investigation Group and the Animal Welfare Information Service. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024.
  28. ^ "The Enduring Legacy of Annette Crosbie". Birmingham Journal. 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Affairs of the Hart". Cambridge Evening News. 9 August 1988. p. 3. (subscription required)
  30. ^ "Our Wildlife Reserves". League Against Cruel Sports. 2024. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024.
  31. ^ "Standing Against Fox Hunting". League Against Cruel Sports. 2024. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024.
  32. ^ Rethink ahead as huntsman is fined for breaking ban The Guardian, Retrieved 29 September 2007
  33. ^ Pair guilty of hunting with dogs BBC, Retrieved 02/11/07
  34. ^ Huntsman conviction appeal upheld BBC, Retrieved 13 March 2008
  35. ^ Hunting duo appeal is turned down BBC, Retrieved 02/11/07
  36. ^ a b Barrington, James (2020). "The Blindness of Zealots". Country Squire Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024.
  37. ^ Barrington, James (2023). "Jim Barrington: Why are those opposed to hunting allowed to dodge awkward interrogations?". Countryside Alliance. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024.
  38. ^ Bryant, John (2011). "James Barrington – Countryside Alliance 'Animal Welfare Consultant'". Wildlife Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 August 2024.
  39. ^ a b Dixon, Hayley (2019). "League Against Cruel Sports labelled 'parasitic organisation' by saboteurs". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024.
  40. ^ a b Dixon, Hayley (2019). "League Against Cruel Sports investigator accused of 'hypocrisy' after attending hunt fundraiser". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024.
  41. ^ Coghill, Ian (5 August 1983). "Labour Party 'Duped'". Staffordshire Newsletter. p. 9. (subscription required)
  42. ^ Course, Richard (31 December 1986). "Treat this Statement with Caution". Buxton Advertiser. p. 4. (subscription required)
  43. ^ Nodder, Charles (29 December 1986). "Cruel Facts". News Letter. p. 16. (subscription required)
  44. ^ a b "Labour must repay £50,000 election gift". Liverpool Daily Post. 25 May 1983. p. 8. (subscription required)
  45. ^ a b O'Brien, R. Barry (23 July 1988). "Inquiry sought into Anti-Cruel Sports League". The Daily Telegraph.
  46. ^ a b Bowcott, Owen (2010). "League Against Cruel Sports censured for political activity". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022.
  47. ^ Plummer, John (2010). "Regulator censures League against Cruel Sports over 'nasty party' poll on Tory hunting policy". ThirdSector. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024.
  48. ^ Dixon, Hayley (2024). "Police investigating fraud allegations against League Against Cruel Sports". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024.
  49. ^ Wait, Sam (2024). "Former CEO begins legal action against animal charity". Civil Society Media. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Surrey Police ends probe into League Against Cruel Sports". Civil Society Media. 2024. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024.
  51. ^ a b Doward, Jamie (2015). "League Against Cruel Sports removes president amid whistleblower row". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020.
  52. ^ a b c "We did not seek to hack the Countryside Alliance, says League Against Cruel Sports". ThirdSector. 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021.
  53. ^ Kennedy, Dominic (2018). "The League Against Cruel Sports 'wanted to hack rival'". The Times. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024.
  54. ^ Sharman, Alice (2018). "League Against Cruel Sports denies hacking reports". Civil Society. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021.
  55. ^ Coleman, Clive (2020). "Sacked vegan claims discrimination in landmark case". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023.
  56. ^ "Sacked vegan brings landmark discrimination case". BBC News. 2020.
  57. ^ "Jordi Casamitjana vegan tribunal a 'victory for animal protection'". BBC News. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  58. ^ Whitehead, Harriet (2020). "Ethical vegan settles tribunal case with the League Against Cruel Sports". Civil Society. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023.
  59. ^ Kennedy, Dominic (2018). "Animal charity sacked Downton star Peter Egan 'for asking questions'". The Times. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024.
  60. ^ "League Against Cruel Sports". AIM25.
  61. ^ "Rethink ahead as huntsman is fined for breaking ban". The Guardian. 4 August 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  62. ^ "Huntsman conviction appeal upheld". BBC News. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  63. ^ "Hunting duo appeal is turned down". BBC News. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
  64. ^ "Minehead Harriers duo admit Hunting Act breach". Horse & Hound. 18 January 2008.
  65. ^ "League welcomes Labour's commitment to ban trail hunting". League Against Cruel Sports. 2024. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024.
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