Beagle pack runs amok in Oxfordshire
Posted 23rd February 2023
A walker in Oxfordshire watched in horror as the baying hounds of a beagle pack ran amok across farmland.
A deer was seen running for its life and sheep in a neighbouring field were distressed by the out-of-control beagles.
Beagle packs traditionally hunt hares, their hounds following the scent of the animal until they catch them, when the exhausted hare is torn apart.
This horrendous activity is organised by hunt staff who, unlike mounted fox hunts, follow the hounds on foot.
The walker, Alex, said: “I was sickened by what I saw with the beagles running around out of control and clearly targeting animals despite hunting being illegal.
“It’s so sad that wildlife is being treated in this way with the hunts acting with impunity simply for their own enjoyment.”
Paul Tillsley, head of conservation and education, at the League Against Cruel Sports, who has monitored hare hunts on many occasions, said: “Hare hunting is a secretive and sickening activity. The only defence the hare has is to run for its life and the chase can take up to three quarters of an hour before the hounds go in for the kill.”
Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League, said: “Incidents like this show that hunting needs to be stopped once and for all.
“It’s time for change. It’s time for hunting laws to be strengthened to protect our wildlife from the barbaric cruelty that hunts inflict on animals.”
Take action today. Tell the Environment Secretary to act now and ban hunting.
This incident was reported to the League Against Cruel Sports Animal Crimewatch service, which offers the public the chance to report animal crime. If you witness illegal hunting or incidents relating to hunt havoc please report it to us via this confidential service.
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