AN RSPCA prosecution in which two men are accused of hunting a wild fox with a dog and failing to ensure animal welfare by confining a fox in a barrel will go ahead at Spalding Magistrates’ Court next year.
John Bycroft (66), of Weston Hills Road, Low Fulney, and Jamie Round (24), of Washway Road, Holbeach, deny the charges which arise from an incident in the vicinity of Fen Road, Holbeach, on April 24 this year.
Bycroft denies three further charges of aiding a person unknown in the vicinty of Spalding to fail to ensure the needs of an animal were met.
These cases relate to the following day and the alleged abandoning of different numbers of fox cubs – seven, six and five – in a sack without adequate ventilation and light.
Neither man was present in court yesterday when solicitor Rachel Stevens entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.
The hearing was adjourned to January 18 for a trial date to be set.