Hounds killed on railway line hunting a fox as government announces plans to consult on hunting

Out of control hunting hounds trespassing on a railway in Worcestershire were struck and killed by a train, say British Transport Police.

Staff from Great Western Railway required specialist support after the three hounds, part of the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt, were killed near Worcestershire Parkway station.

It comes as Defra minister Daniel Zeichner yesterday [April 1] announced the government will be launching a consultation on trail hunting, having pledged to end the practice.

Reports of the hounds on the railway were made by concerned members of the public to the Three Countries Hunt Sab group on March 8, which has asked national animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports to investigate further.

Prior to the incident the hounds were seen chasing a fox through private gardens and in the village of White Ladies Aston, but also across the busy A44 near Spetchley.

One witness, who like many people reporting hunt crime wishes to remain anonymous through fear of reprisals, told the League: “The hunt made no effort to stop the hounds and on the contrary, I watched them urge the hounds on to cross the main road, to chase the fox.”

She said traffic was forced to stop while the hunt blocked the road, and she reported the incident to West Mercia Police.

She added: “Their behaviour was absolutely disgusting and the hunt shouldn’t be allowed to carry on.

Hunts claim to follow pre-laid trails using animal scent, but as figures issued by the League consistently show foxes being chased and killed – and hounds being in places such as on railways lines and busy roads – where they shouldn’t be, the League has long campaigned for trail hunting to be banned.

Trail hunting has has been described by Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, the most senior police officer in England with responsibility for fox hunting crime, as a “smokescreen for illegal fox hunting”. He has also described illegal hunting as “prolific”.

Emily Lawrence, the League’s campaigns manager, has been investigating the incident.

She said: “The hunt’s behaviour was entirely inconsistent with trail hunting, with a fox being chased through private gardens, and across a busy A road, and the hounds loose on Network Rail land where it would have been absurd to have laid a trail.

“The government has committed to banning trail hunting but we are also urging them to strengthen the Hunting Act by closing its many loopholes, and to introduce custodial sentences for those people who break the law.”

• Details of fox hunting incidents in the Worcester area can be reported to the Three Counties Hunt Sabs on 07891 639803. People can also report wildlife crime incidents across England and Wales to the League’s Animal Crimewatch service on 0300 444 1234, email crimewatch@league.org.uk or WhatsApp at 0755 278 8247.

Ends

Notes to editors

Fox hunting was banned in England and Wales when the Hunting Act came into force on February 18 2005

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