Village declares ban after 'hunt horror stories'

RESIDENTS have declared their village a “hunt-free zone” after becoming fed up with seeing hounds and quad bikes in their streets.

- By Kate Pounds

Villagers in George Nympton, Devon, banded together to make their demand after sharing “hunt horror stories”.

Some 76% of the village population signed a petition requesting the local hunting group, Tiverton Staghounds, not pass through their streets or “hunt” on their boundaries.

After negotiating with help from their local MP, and agreeing not to put up signs declaring the “no hunt” zone, the hunting group agreed with their demand, the villagers claim.

The Hunting Act 2004 banned hunting wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, though there are still alternative activities like trail hunting, which involves following a scent. George Nympton’s “ban” forbids the latter.