In January, League Against Cruel Sports member Chris Owen told police that was attacked in his back yard by a pack of dogs apparently owned by the Cheshire Hunt.
On January 10 a pack of about 20 dogs charged onto Owen’s property, frightening his wife and two children. Owen himself suffered bite on the hand and a scratch on his face.
Although there is some grey area in the law, it appears that whoever was responsible for the dogs might face criminal charges and a possible six month prison term. Even if police don’t press charges, Owen told The Cheshire Chronicle that he plans to pursue the matter,
. . . even if the CPS doesn’t want to prosecute, I will take out a private prosecution anyway. I would not have taken it further except they publicly accused me of lying.
In fact the Chronicle quoted Cheshire Hunt joint master Richard Thomas as saying that the complaint was simply an effort by Owen to gain publicity. Thomas said,
It’s a large publicity stunt by the League Against Cruel Sports. I don’t think there is anything in it at all. If there was an injury attributable to the hounds, the police would have taken it further.
Sources:
Hunting attack dog test case. Chester Chronicle, February 6, 2004.
Hounds attacked me in my garden. David Holmes, Chester Chronicle, January 16, 2004.