The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA), which replaced the scandal-ridden Hunting Office, represents various hunting interests across the UK. Its Membership and Campaigns Director is the Hon. George Bowyer, a man deeply entrenched in the hunting world. Educated at Eton College and until 2024 a Conservative Party councillor, Bowyer has a long history with the sport, having hunted mink, fox, and stag before the Hunting Act was enacted. Beyond his role at the BHSA, Bowyer also serves as CEO of Vote OK, a pro-hunting organisation dedicated to influencing elections in favour of candidates who support field sports; the results of the 2024 general election suggest he’s doing a lousy job.
In a December 2023 interview with Alex Sayer of Strictly Shooting UK, Bowyer offered what appeared to be a candid explanation of what happens to foxhounds when they can no longer hunt. He described the hounds as “great athletes,” living vigorous lives until age and arthritis catch up with them, at which point, he claims, they are euthanised to spare them from a life of misery and decline.
But a closer look reveals that Bowyer’s claims are far from the whole truth.
Hounds Killed Far Younger Than You’d Expect
According to Bowyer, the noble foxhound lives out its days as a sprightly athlete until, sadly, time catches up, and it must be put to sleep to avoid the horrors of old age and the indignities of being left behind by its pack. A touching story—if only it were true.
Let’s set the record straight. Bowyer would have us believe that these hounds are gently ushered into the great kennel in the sky only after a long, fulfilling life. The reality, however, is much darker. Data from five separate hunts show that many of these hounds are not the weary old athletes Bowyer would have us believe, but rather young, healthy animals who are killed long before they even approach what could be considered old age.
The Lifespan of Foxhounds at Hunts
Here’s what the numbers say:
- Grove & Rufford 2012: Hounds are killed at an average age of 2.96 years.
- Ashford Valley 2014: 3.50 years.
- Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray 2014: 3.73 years.
- Albrighton & Woodland 2020: 3.65 years.
- Thurlow 2018: 3.66 years.
Let that sink in. English foxhounds typically live 11 to 13 years, yet the majority of these hounds are killed between the ages of two and four—a time when they should be in their prime, not at death’s door. And yet, with a straight face, Bowyer would have us believe they’re put to sleep only when they’re too old and miserable to hunt. Really, George? You expect us to believe that these vibrant, young dogs are at the end of their lives?
The Convenient Omission
Bowyer’s narrative isn’t just misleading—it’s downright deceptive. Here he is, waxing lyrical about mercy killings of geriatric hounds, while conveniently forgetting to mention that many of these hounds are killed when they’re still practically puppies. It’s a classic case of selective storytelling, designed to gloss over the less palatable realities of the hunting world.
This isn’t just a simple oversight. Bowyer’s willingness to peddle such a skewed version of the truth shows nothing but contempt for the public. It smacks of an organisation that hasn’t learned a thing from the disgrace that led to the downfall of the Hunting Office. The BHSA was supposed to be the new face of hunting—reformed, transparent, and ethical. But here we are again, listening to the same old song and dance, this time performed by Bowyer as he tries to pass off a PR exercise as genuine concern for the hounds.
If Bowyer thinks he can pull the wool over the public’s eyes with his heartwarming tales of foxhounds peacefully retiring after a long life of service, he’s sorely mistaken. The reality, as the data shows, is that these hounds are often killed because they’re no longer needed—not because they’re suffering. So much for the BHSA’s supposed transparency and ethics.
British Hound Sports Association Farce
Let’s call this what it is: a farce. The BHSA isn’t in the business of mercy; it’s in the business of killing. Healthy, young hounds are being killed because they’re no longer useful, not because they’re suffering. And that’s the dirty little secret Bowyer conveniently leaves out of his narrative.
What does this say about the BHSA? It suggests that despite all the talk of reform and transparency, the association is still more interested in preserving its image than in dealing honestly with the public. The BHSA’s practices are not about compassion but about cold, calculated convenience. Nothing has changed since the days of the Hunting Office, except its name.
