A MEMBER of the Eryri Hunt has told the Herald they are prepared to break the law when the hunting ban is brought into effect next February. The hunt has been running for 36 years and has 100 members, with 100 subscribers who pay an annual £95 to pay for the hunts and their 65 hounds. But following the Queen's Royal Assent for the controversial Hunting Act, which will ban fox hunting with hounds from February, Eryri Huntsman, Dylan Davies, 27, from Cwm Pennant, has said the foot pack will continue their work "regardless of consequences". He said: "No matter what happens, foxes will have to be controlled. The way we do it is by far the most humane method of hunting because the hounds kill the foxes quickly, once they get hold of a fox that is it - they do not suffer. "We cull around 80 foxes a year and farmers need our support because, without hunts, those 80 would multiply with cubs - this could develop into a major epidemic and farmers would suffer a lot. It's a very worrying time for everybody and we would be willing to continue, if need be, regardless of consequences." The hunt covers an area including Nant Gwynant, Betws Garmon, Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu and the pack also run the annual Beddgelert Boxing Day Hunt. Mr Davies says the ban will wreck the local economy and could lead to the hounds being put to sleep. | 
