Hunting with dogs - Hunting Act 2004

Pack of hounds broke into elderly couple’s back garden before savaging a fox

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A pack of hounds broke into an elderly couple’s back garden before savaging a fox, campaigners have claimed. 

Police are investigating the alleged incident after activists from Cheshire Monitors shared photographs on social media appearing to show the mutilated remains of the animal.

One witness claimed eight hounds came racing through their garden and went over a 3ft fence, before cornering the fox behind a summer house on Saturday afternoon. 

Cheshire Forest Hunt kill fox
Cheshire Forest Hunt kill fox

They said the eight hounds mauled the fox to death. A woman in a balaclava is then alleged to have tried to remove the fox underneath a fleece-type coat.

Cheshire Police said it was investigating an incident involving a hunt in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on Saturday after photos surfaced online.

The force posted on Facebook: “We are aware of concerns around hunt activity in the Macclesfield area. We are investigating this matter and working with specialist officers and the RSPCA.”

Cheshire Forest huntsman Andrew German
Cheshire Forest huntsman Andrew German in a residential street

Residents Locals said a hunt came through the built-up residential area and claimed they saw unmarked quad bikes, hounds and a huntsman blowing a horn.

Kevin Church, 47, described hounds sprinting through his garden, churning up the grass, before pouncing on the fox.

Penningtons Lane residents say they heard a “screaming” pack of dogs belonging to Cheshire Forest Hunt run through nearby fields where pregnant cows were grazing at around 12.45pm.

Two quad bikes then came “flying down the lane” said resident Julie Clark, 47.

Cheshire Forest Hunt terriermen quad bikes
Cheshire Forest Hunt terriermn quad bikes

Mrs Church claims one of the hunt members got off her bike and retrieved the dead fox from the garden.

Cheshire Police said it was investigating an incident involving a hunt in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on Saturday after photos surfaced online.

cheshire forest hunt rampage 05
Masked: Cheshire Forest Hunt terrierman

The force posted on Facebook: “We are aware of concerns around hunt activity in the Macclesfield area. We are investigating this matter and working with specialist officers and the RSPCA.”

Residents Locals said a hunt came through the built-up residential area and claimed they saw unmarked quad bikes, hounds and a huntsman blowing a horn.

Kevin Church, 47, described hounds sprinting through his garden, churning up the grass, before pouncing on the fox.

He said: “About seven or eight of them tore it apart – it was quite horrific really.

“I could see within seconds that it would have been a waste of time to get involved. There was no chance of a good outcome for the fox.

“The fox came down our driveway into our back garden and made an escape into next door.

“Then I saw all these dogs come flooding into the garden – we stopped a few of them coming in.

“Half of them jumped over the fence and got the fox cornered. It is only a low fence, around 3ft, I stood on the decking which is slightly higher so I had a good view. I have never seen anything like this before, not in a residential area.”

Cheshire Forest huntsman Andrew German
Cheshire Forest huntsman Andrew German

The Cheshire Forest Hunt has been contacted for a comment but have not responded.

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Source: Daily Telegraph