The Wiltshire-based Avon Vale Hunt has been barred from its governing body after video footage emerged of a fox being thrown to a pack of hounds.
Yesterday (09/02), the Hound Sports Regulatory Authority (HSRA) panel found that “on the balance of probabilities the evidence revealed serious breaches of the core principles and rules”.
It said the panel “were minded to permanently expel the hunt and its masters, huntsman and kennel huntsman from membership of the BHSA”.
As a result, the hunt had its membership permanently removed, meaning the group cannot carry out hunting activities.
Wiltshire Police has launched an investigation into the footage, which appears to show a fox being extracted from the earth and thrown to a pack of waiting hounds.
The force is appealing for anyone who knows the identity of the individuals involved to contact them on 101 quoting log 5423001429.
In a statement, Chief Inspector James Brain said: “We take any allegations of wildlife offences extremely seriously and we would urge anyone with information that could identify those in this video to contact ourselves or Crimestoppers at the earliest opportunity.
“We take a robust approach to wildlife crime and are actively investigating the circumstances depicted in this footage.”
Fox hunting has been illegal in Britain since 2005.
After viewing the footage, naturalist Chris Packham said it was “not an isolated incident” and called for the practice of fox hunting to end.
Speaking to ITV News, he said: “To witness this barbarity, this pre-meditated callous cruelty inflicted on a wild animal in the UK countryside in the 21st century is absolutely sickening.
“But this is the brutal face of fox hunting. This is not an isolated incident. We see this week in week out and the hunts have been exposed for saying that they practice trail hunting -as indeed this hunt proclaimed as well.
“Well, that is not trail hunting. That is fox hunting pure and simple, and it is illegal. And I sincerely hope that all of those who are identifiable in this video are brought to justice.
“This insidious vile habit has to be stamped out once and for all.”
