Probe as drone footage appears to show illegal fox hunt

Police have launched an investigation after footage appears to show a fox being illegally hunted.

Somerset Hunt Saboteurs released drone footage appearing to show hounds repeatedly pursuing a fox, with members of the Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers Hunt nearby.

Avon and Somerset Police is investigating the video and has also hosted a meeting with several local hunts to remind them of the law. The Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers Hunt has been approached for comment.

Oliver Hughes, the British Hound Sports Association’s (BHSA) managing director, said the BHSA is not conducting a parallel investigation or reaching conclusions while police inquiries are ongoing.

“Once that process has concluded, we will review the position in light of any findings,” Mr Hughes added.

Trail hunting – a practice where a scent is laid out for the hunt to follow rather than a real animal – was introduced as a replacement for fox hunting, which was banned by Labour in 2004.

One member of Somerset Hunt Saboteurs, who wished not to be named, claimed that their drone footage was the “most blatant” evidence of a hunt they could have captured.

“They should have called the hounds off, but he didn’t,” she said of one particular huntsman.

“He pointed, he ran after it. It was almost like he was one of the hounds.”

It comes as the government prepares to launch a national consultation on its manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting.

The national police lead on illegal hunting, Devon and Cornwall’s assistant Chief Constable, Matt Longman, has described illegal fox hunting as “prolific” and added that trail hunting is regularly being used as “a smokescreen”.

Clare Moody, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, said she believes illegal hunts take place across the region.

“I think there are particular hunts that are responsible for that – I think there is policing work done around it – there could be more,” she added.

If her government keeps its manifesto pledge, there will be.

The government has said in the new year it will begin a consultation on banning trail hunting.