Four held under UK's new hunting laws
Four men were arrested today under the new hunting legislation in Britain, police said.
The men were found at 4am between Hullavington and Sherston, Wiltshire, with four dogs and the carcass of a hare, police spokesman Dave Taylor said.
The men, aged 31, 32 and 33 from south Wales and a 53-year-old from Ireland were arrested on suspicion of hunting with dogs under Section 1 of the new Hunting Act, which came into force yesterday, he said.
Mr Taylor said they are also being investigated as to possible firearms offences relating to a modified air rifle and possible offensive weapons charges relating to the possession of a pointed/bladed article.
The men have now been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Mr Taylor said: “They may become the first men prosecuted under the new law.”
He added: “We would stress that they were nothing to do with any of the organised hunts.”
