Upsetting footage shows the moment three hounds allegedly died on a grass verge after they were hit by cars when a hunt crossed a ‘busy’ road.
The dogs were allegedly discovered by hunt saboteurs after they crossed the Beverley Road (B1248) with horses from the Middleton Hunt near Norton in North Yorkshire on Saturday.
Campaigners claim the dogs died at the side of the road and video shows them whimpering while being comforted by distraught activists.
Protesters can be heard calling the police while others stroke the dogs who are sprawled out and motionless on the grass verge at the road side.
The Hunt Saboteurs Association are calling on the hunting group to make sure trails stay away from busy roads following the incident.
It comes weeks after the Middleton Hunt master Charles Carter resigned as a Tory councillor after he was filmed telling a female activist: ‘I’d quite like to SHAG you.’
Lee Moon, spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, said: ‘The Middleton Hunt claim to be following an artificial trail.
‘If that’s the case why on earth would they lay a trail anywhere near such a busy road.
‘In fact if they’re trail hunting, as they claim, then surely they can plan their activities in such a way that they NEVER have to cross main roads.
‘Their wanton disregard for animals’ lives extends to their own hounds as well as the wildlife they illegally chase and kill.
‘Every week, hunts across the country endanger human and animal lives with their reckless behaviour.
‘The Middleton Hunt is clearly out of control and as usual it is hunt saboteurs who are bringing their activities to the attention of police and public.’
The saboteurs claim the incident took place on the B1248 which goes through fields near Norton, North Yorkshire.
They claim three dogs were killed and more were injured when the hounds were led across the road, close to a bend, by the huntsman.
Onlookers claim one huntsman was ‘distraught’ by the deaths and was heard asking other hunt members ‘why did we take them over the road?’
It is not the first time the Middleton Hunt has come under scrutiny.
In 2013, four hunt members admitted hunting a fox with a dog and were fined by York magistrates.
In 2015, North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation after footage of 16 fox cubs held in a barn near to the hunt’s kennels emerged.
Middleton Hunt and the police are yet to respond to a request for comment.
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Source: Mail Online
