Heythrop Hunt man denies fox hunting with dogs charges

An Oxfordshire man has pleaded not guilty to hunting foxes with dogs. Julian Barnfield, 48, of Kennel Lane, Chipping Norton, was charged with two offences of unlawfully hunting a wild mammal with dogs. Banbury Magistrates' Court heard the offences allegedly took place in Oxfordshire in February and March. The case has been adjourned until 9 …

Ministers spent £400,000 to draw up badger cull plans

Drawing up proposals for a badger cull has cost taxpayers more than £400,000 as ministers attempt to avoid a legal challenge from animal welfare groups, it has emerged. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has said she is "strongly minded" to sanction a targeted cull as part of a range of measures to combat tuberculosis (TB) in …