New hunting legislation sees four men arrested

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Monday 21st Feb 2005.

Four men have been arrested by police in Wiltshire in what are believed to be the first arrests under the hunting legislation that became active on Thursday night.

The men were found on an unclassified road near Malmesbury, with four dogs and the carcass of a hare.

A 53-year-old from Ireland and three men, aged 31, 32 and 33, from South Wales, were arrested on suspicion of hunting with dogs.

They were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The men, who were arrested at 4am on Saturday morning are also being investigated over possible firearms offences relating to a modified air rifle and possible offensive weapons charges.

Wiltshire Police spokesman Dave Taylor said: "We would stress that they were nothing to do with any of the organised hunts."

In total it is believed more than 270 hunt groups set out on Saturday.

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