Fox hunt hounds caught on camera marauding through a private garden

The incident took place in the village of Sherston, Wiltshire, on the Gloucestershire border, earlier this month, and also saw the hunt block a busy B-road, causing delays for motorists and risking public safety.

It was reported to national animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports, via its Animal Crimewatch service.

Bill Butler, who owns the property where the hunt hounds ran amok and reported the incident, said: “I was disgusted by what they were up to as they must have been chasing a fox rather than following a trail.

“The arrogance of the hunts is breathtaking in that they think can do what they like with no respect for other people and the law.”

Every season the League compiles reports that show ‘trail’ hunting – the excuse often used by hunts in court – is a sham and smokescreen for old fashioned illegal hunting.

Illegal hunting was recently described as “prolific” by Chief Superintendent Matt Longman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on fox hunting crime.

Emma Judd, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “More and more shocking videos of hunts are emerging that show the widespread and prolific scale of hunting still going on in the countryside despite the ban.

“They mirror what we know from the evidence we collect every season that shows the scale of illegal hunting, or activity related to illegal hunting, that continues nearly 20 years after its supposed ban.

“It’s time for change – for the Government to strengthen hunting laws to finally put a stop to hunters being able to find loopholes and excuses to carry on killing wildlife with hounds.”

The League recently published a report called Hunt Havoc: the human cost of hunting with hounds, which shows the scale of suspected illegal hunting and the havoc being wrought on rural communities by hunts.

Local residents are being urged to sign a petitioncalling on policy makers to do all in their power to end hunting in Gloucestershire:

Emma Judd added: “We urge the public to keep on sending in their videos and reports of wildlife crime to the League’s Animal Crimewatch service so we can keep on providing evidence of illegal hunting to those with the power to finally stop it.”

Ends

Notes to editors

A link to the CCTV footage is here.

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 07496 496454 (24hrs) or email pressoffice@league.org.uk