Fox hunting in England and Wales

Killing Pets

“I’ve no evidence of fox hounds killing cats. There is no way fox hounds are a danger to family pets.”

John Haigh, Public Relations Officer, British Field Sports Society

“It would be unusual for hounds to target a cat because they were trained to chase only foxes.”

Anne Jepson, secretary of the South Notts Hunt

The list below is far from comprehensive, however it demonstrates how blatantly the hunting fraternity is willing to lie.

18 March 2010: Hunt pack savages family pet dog
Newry Harriers hounds ripped a family’s pet dog apart in front of two young cousins.

3 February 2007: Newry Harriers Kill Pet Cats
Animal cruelty campaigners have expressed their shock after hounds ripped two domestic cats to pieces as a hunt trespassed on private land in south Armagh.

28 September 2006: Derbyshire hunt kill pet cat
40 Rioting hounds from the High Peak Hunt in Derbyshire chased and killed a pet cat through the village of Sheldon near Bakewell.

23 August 2006: ‘Hush money’ offer after Tiverton Staghounds kill terrier
Magistrate Catherine Hodgson used her body as a human shield against two staghounds as they ripped apart her pet dog in a horrific attack.

17 February 2006: Modbury Harriers Kill Pet llama
A pet llama from south Devon has died after being frightened by hounds from the local hunt. A vet was called after hounds from the Modbury Harriers frightened the llama which died later of a heart attack.

10 December 2005: East Cornwall Hunt Kill Pet Goat
26 Marauding hunt hounds ran amok in a private garden and savaged to death an adored pet pygmy goat called Flopsy. Now goat’s owners, who said the dogs had “no right” to be on their land, may sue the hunt.

21 March 2005: Iveagh Hunt Savage Pet Cat
Hounds taking part in a St Patrick’s Day hunt in Lurgan viciously mauled an eight-year-old girl’s beloved cat to death.

27 December 2004: South Notts Hunt Kill Pet Cat
A couple who found their cat dead after a hunt passed next to their land claim he was ripped to pieces by hounds. Only his tail and back legs were recovered and fur was dotted around the area.

9 January 2004: West Somerset Vale Hunt Kill Pet Cat
A family saw a pack of hounds savage their pet cat in their own garden. Jennifer Kervell and her two daughters were preparing lunch when about 30 hounds entered their garden and attacked the four-year-old cat, Holly.

January 2000: Woman and Cats Besieged by Hounds
A women last night spoke of how she had to barricade herself in her home as snaring hounds from the Cheshire Hunt attempted to fight their way in through a cat-flap.

8 March 1999: Middleton Hunt killed my pet cat
A distraught cat owner claims she watched in horror as her pet was savaged to death by dogs from the Middleton Hunt.

28 December 1998: Hunt ‘sorry’ for cat mauling
Sinnington Hunt has angered the family which owned the cat by suggesting it would not have been killed if a car had not been parked in its way.

12 January 1998: Pytchley Foxhounds Kill Five Year-Old Cat
The huntsman told it’s owner that it was a fox, only later was she to discover it was her beloved pet cat. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Winter 1997/98)

December 1997: Pet Dog Killed by Tynedale Hunt
A distraught 60 year-old woman threw herself on top of her pet spaniel in a desperate attempt to protect it from an attack by hunt hounds. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Winter 1997/98)

October 1997: Fernie Hunt Kills Cat
A cat was attacked and killed by hounds during an October cub-hunt near Lubenham, Leicestershire. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Winter 1997/98)

March 1996: East Kent Foxhounds Savage Pet Cat
Twenty hounds from the East Kent Hunt savaged a five-year-old pet cat in the village of Petham. A witness described the frenzied attack as ‘pure bloodlust.’ (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Summer 1996)

February 1996: Exmoor Foxhounds Terrorise Cat
Out of control hounds from the Exmoor Foxhounds chased a 13 year-old cat, Blackie. The cat ran for its life and wasn’t seen for some time. Its owner Mrs Clevedon said, “When she came back she looked really frightened and covered in cobwebs so she obviously had to take cover.” Captain Ronald Wallace, Master of the Exmoor Foxhounds admitted hounds were out of control but said, “We don’t keep hounds for chasing cats.” (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Summer 1996)

August 1995: Western Foxhounds Savaged Pet Cat to Death
The 12 year-old cat named ‘Tikkidew’ was in its own garden near New Mill, when it was attacked and killed by hounds of the Western Fox Hounds. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Autumn 1995)

October 1994: York and Ainsty South Foxhounds Attack Pet Dogs
Hounds from the York and Ainsty South Hunt attacked three dogs being walked by their owner in Yorkshire countryside. The hunt dealt with the situation by shooting the lead dog and parading its body before local television cameras. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Winter 1994/95)

July 1994: Pet dog dies after attack by York and Ainsty South Hunt hounds
70 York and Ainsty South Hunt hounds being excercied savaged a pedigree dobermann pincher named Wilhelm – being walked on a lead by owner Herbert Claxton. Wilhelm died a few weeks later as a result of the injuries sustained in the attack. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Winter 1994/95)

Spring 1994: Avon Vale Foxhounds Terrorised Cats
The Avon Vale Foxhounds upset residents in Calne when they trampled across gardens and sent cats fleeing. One owner commented, “my two cats panicked and made for the top of the shed top while the hounds trampled over my flowers.” (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Spring/Summer 1994)

Spring 1994: Cottesmore Foxhounds Kill Cat
The cat’s body was not returned by the huntsman, who was described as rude and arrogant by Mrs Clarke who previously was undecided over the hunting issue. (Source: Wildlife Guardian, Spring/Summer 1994)

24 December 1987: Cheshire Forest Hunt Kills Pet Cats
Horrified Villages looked on helplessly as two cats were killed when hounds ran amok in gardens on Christmas Eve. Two households had their festive celebrations spoilt when their pets were slaughtered by hounds from the Cheshire Forest Hunt.

1 December 1977: Cheshire Foxhounds Kill Pet Cat
An Utkinton man has accused the Cheshire Foxhounds hunt of appalling cruelty. He alleges that a cat was torn to death by hounds in his back garden.