Library image Credit: Sarah Farnsworth A motion to ban trail-hunting on land owned by a council that may not actually own any land on which hunting takes place has been both roundly defeated, and described as “bonkers”. Green councillor Ian Middleton put forward the motion, which was discussed at a full meeting of Cherwell District Council on Monday (14 December). It stated that hunts would “not be permitted to cross public or council-controlled land or cause a nuisance on public highways within Cherwell, and that we will expect any such encroachments to be prosecuted”. Cllr Middleton said: “This is not intended to be a debate on the rights or wrongs of fox-hunting,” citing the ban, but then went on to claim that the “vast majority” of people do not support hunting, and that “trail-hunting has long been viewed with suspicion” by saboteurs and some animal welfare organisations.