POLICE are appealing for information after Waberthwaite-based Black Combe Beagles were accused of illegal hunting.
Northwest Animal Welfare (NAW) claim the beagles chased a fox for more than an hour during a meeting in Coniston on December 27.
NAW allege no attempt was made to call off the beagles and that 19 hunt followers were in a state of “wild excitement” throughout the chase.
Master of the hunt Stan Ellwood, 79, denied the allegations.
Police have appealed for witnesses who may have video footage or mobile phone pictures of the alleged incident to call them. A police spokesman said: “If anyone has information on the incident we’d like them to contact the police.”
Mr Ellwood said: “I was interviewed by police and explained that we had been exercising the dogs on a dragged trail when they scared a deer and started after it.
“We had 15 to 20 lads who had to run after it to call the hounds off.”
Hunt Details:
Black Combe and District Beagles
Source: News & Star
