Bad weather halts more than half of Boxing Day hunts in Britain

London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – Bad weather forced the cancellation Monday of more than half of Boxing Day hunts in Britain. Organizations postponed many of the 300 scheduled hunts because the hard frost covered with snow made the roads too slippery for hunters, including horses which have metal shoes.

About 100,000 Britons in full hunting regalia were expected to participate in the annual hunt, which normally takes place the day after Christmas. However, since Boxing Day was a Sunday in which hunts are not allowed, the hunt was moved to Monday.

Organizers said they will move the hunt on Thursday and New Year’s Day if the weather would allow it.

The group Countryside Alliance used the hunt day as an opportunity to call on British Prime Minister David Cameron to end the ban on hunting with dogs, which the prime minister had previously committed to repeal.

However, because of indicators that MPs would oppose the lifting of the ban, Cameron postponed a planned free vote, which would not sit well with coalition partner Liberal Democrats. Of the 57 LibDems in the Parliament, 42 are against lifting the prohibition, including LibDem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The League against Cruel Sports, which held a survey of MPs, found that the proposed repeal of the Hunting Act would lose on a 310 to 253 votes, with 23 legislators undecided.

The prime minister is a hunting advocate, but acknowledges the issue could divide the coalition, which would rather focus on more pressing legislative matters such as the ailing British economy and the provision of public services amid budget cuts.

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