Charlie Ford, huntsman of the Devon & Somerset Bassets, was found guilty of a Hunting Act offence at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 18 June 2026.
This is the first time a basset pack has been convicted under the Hunting Act.
The offence occurred on the 13th of October 2024 at Mullins Farm in Bagber. North Dorset Hunt Sabs received a tip-off that a hunt was in progress and attended with Wildlife Crime Action monitors. The sab filmed the basset pack hunting a hare, with footage being supplied to the police. Ford was fined just £648 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £259 and court costs of £650.

