Owner of Mowthorpe Garden of Rest defends hunt on land

Sir Robert Goodwill, owner of Mowthorpe Garden of Rest, near Terrington, said there has been no evidence of claims Middleton Hunt had been on the land last week.

Footage captured by national animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports appears to show the hunt’s hounds running through the Garden of Rest within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The League has condemned the action of the hunt.

However Sir Robert, a former Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said if  this was the case, there was no sign that they have been in the cemetery.

He said: “None of the families that visit have mentioned it.  We do not ban dogs from the cemetery in any case.

“The hunt is very much part of rural life and am more than happy for them to use our land. I am sorry that I wasn’t around to view the wonderful spectacle of the riders and hounds.”

The League Against Cruel Sports chief executive, Emma Slawinksi, has criticised the hunt.

Emma added: “I would urge the public who are sick and tired of the behaviour of hunts to take part in the government’s hunting consultation.

“The time for change is now. We want to see trail hunting banned.”