Grandson watched as hounds ripped fox apart
A WOMAN and her grandson have been left traumatised after a fox was torn to shreds by hunting hounds in their Worcestershire garden.
Elizabeth Cash was with her five-year-old grandson at her home in Upton Snodsbury when the hounds entered her garden.
"We were suddenly surrounded by a pack of very noisy and excited fox hounds tearing around our garden, trampling over flower beds, pushing through fencing and terrorising my grandson who was lost among the pack of hounds," she said.
The incident happened last Saturday when the pack was flushing out a fox, which the hunt later planned to kill using a bird of prey - a practice still legal in Britian.
But instead the hounds got hold of the fox and killed it, although the hunt has since said it was an accident.
"The hounds dragged it (the fox) out in our full view to be torn apart before our eyes," Mrs Cash said. "I felt physically sick and could do nothing apart from try to shield my small grandson from the horror he was witnessing. This to me is totally unacceptable."
Mrs Cash, who does not agree with hunting but says she respects other people's views, did not report the incident to the police but has written to the parish council.
She was later visited by the Master of the Hunt who apologised.
Joint master of the hunt for Croome and West Warwickshire Foxhounds, Robin Palmer, said: "Unfortunately the hounds found a fox and the huntsman tried to call them back but it resulted in this unfortunate incident. It was an accident."
Chairman of Upton Snodsbury Parish Council Terry Eagle said members would be discussing the incident at their next meeting in January.
Mike Foster, MP for Worcester, who initiated the fox hunting ban in a Private Members Bill in 1997, urged Mrs Cash to contact the police.
"What has happened is exactly what the whole process to stop it was about," he said. "It is to protect people from having to witness what she did. So if they have broken the law they can be procesecuted for it."
Penny Little, a spokesman for Protect our Wild Animals, called for the law to be tightened.
"Every time this happens it is said to be an accident," she said. "This is not acceptable and there needs to be a tightening of the law."
A police spokesman said officers would now investigate the matter by speaking to Mrs Cash.
he said: "Fox-hunting is illegal and we respond positively to reports that it is taking place, from whatever the source."
He added that anyone with information should contact 08457 444 888.
9:26am Thursday 29th November 2007
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CommentPosted by: Alan2, Worcester on 2:40pm Thu 29 Nov 07
This was an utter outrage as is Mrs. Cash's approach if she does not support this medieval, barbaric game.
Mr. Foster should contact the Chief Constable (not the local hoi poloi) and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police
to "investigate" thoroughly.
This was a blatant offence albeit the reasons used in justification for the death of the animal are as to be expected from these barbarians and savages.
Many of us will be watching the outcome of this Police investigation with a great deal of interest to ensure that there is no whitewash or sweeping under the carpet.
We will see how good the investigative ability of the officer responsible is. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.
This was an utter outrage as is Mrs. Cash's approach if she does not support this medieval, barbaric game.
Mr. Foster should contact the Chief Constable (not the local hoi poloi) and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police
to "investigate" thoroughly.
This was a blatant offence albeit the reasons used in justification for the death of the animal are as to be expected from these barbarians and savages.
Many of us will be watching the outcome of this Police investigation with a great deal of interest to ensure that there is no whitewash or sweeping under the carpet.
We will see how good the investigative ability of the officer responsible is. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.
Posted by: fronkthegonk on 3:33pm Thu 29 Nov 07
A similar incident recently happened near Knightwick, cops aint interested of course.
It is about time this stupid hobby was banned completely. Most of the other horror shows are banned, ie bear and bull baiting and **** fighting .. There is no place in a civilised country for this nasty so called sport.
A similar incident recently happened near Knightwick, cops aint interested of course.
It is about time this stupid hobby was banned completely. Most of the other horror shows are banned, ie bear and bull baiting and **** fighting .. There is no place in a civilised country for this nasty so called sport.
Posted by: Alan2, Worcester on 8:28pm Thu 29 Nov 07
I have reported this to The League against Cruel Sports at their Head Office.
I have reported this to The League against Cruel Sports at their Head Office.
Posted by: Judi Hewitt, Rhyl on 9:16am Fri 30 Nov 07
It's obvious that this poor fox is just one of many that gets dragged out from under bushes every week, and reduced to a bloody pulp.
I also want to know why this useless government is still allowing hunts the excuse to kill these unfortunate animals, by allowing them to use of a fox based scent? I believe the reason they won't ban it, is because hunters would be hauled out in front of courts in large numbers every week, accused of illegal hunting. So they allow them this get out clause. In other words, hunts would have no excuse for their grotesque cruelty.
So for Christ sake, ministers, please do the decent thing and do what we the public damand - get rid of that evil hunt scum once and for all.
It's obvious that this poor fox is just one of many that gets dragged out from under bushes every week, and reduced to a bloody pulp.
I also want to know why this useless government is still allowing hunts the excuse to kill these unfortunate animals, by allowing them to use of a fox based scent? I believe the reason they won't ban it, is because hunters would be hauled out in front of courts in large numbers every week, accused of illegal hunting. So they allow them this get out clause. In other words, hunts would have no excuse for their grotesque cruelty.
So for Christ sake, ministers, please do the decent thing and do what we the public damand - get rid of that evil hunt scum once and for all.
Posted by: Herne, England on 2:10pm Fri 30 Nov 07
Comments such as those submitted so far are absolutely typical of the opponents of hunting, and a perfect example of why this farcical law should never have been passed in the first place. Thus they reveal their true colours.
.
Before the ban, it was all “no jobs need to be lost, no hounds need to be put down – they can all go drag hunting”, but now that the people that all this bile, bigotry and prejudice is directed at ARE going trail hunting – and, what they really hate, still enjoying themselves - suddenly that’s no longer good enough. Now trail hunting has to be banned and stuff the hounds, stuff the horses and stuff the civil liberties or livelihoods of anyone they don’t like.
.
What happened here was an accident. Regrettable, but an accident, none the less. With over 250 packs of hounds going out a minimum of twice a week for six months, that’s over thirteen thousand hunting days per year and what do we see? A handful of accidents!
.
We are talking about dogs here. They can’t be expected to understand a Law that most humans can’t even understand, nor to understand about property boundaries and the like – and yet we see only a mere handful of accidents. The Hunts are in fact doing a marvellous job of adapting to the new circumstances.
.
These comments expose the opposition to hunting for exactly what it is. Nothing to do with animal welfare and everything to do with prejudice and bigotry – and Law that is built on such foundations is bad law and should be scrapped.
Comments such as those submitted so far are absolutely typical of the opponents of hunting, and a perfect example of why this farcical law should never have been passed in the first place. Thus they reveal their true colours.
.
Before the ban, it was all “no jobs need to be lost, no hounds need to be put down – they can all go drag hunting”, but now that the people that all this bile, bigotry and prejudice is directed at ARE going trail hunting – and, what they really hate, still enjoying themselves - suddenly that’s no longer good enough. Now trail hunting has to be banned and stuff the hounds, stuff the horses and stuff the civil liberties or livelihoods of anyone they don’t like.
.
What happened here was an accident. Regrettable, but an accident, none the less. With over 250 packs of hounds going out a minimum of twice a week for six months, that’s over thirteen thousand hunting days per year and what do we see? A handful of accidents!
.
We are talking about dogs here. They can’t be expected to understand a Law that most humans can’t even understand, nor to understand about property boundaries and the like – and yet we see only a mere handful of accidents. The Hunts are in fact doing a marvellous job of adapting to the new circumstances.
.
These comments expose the opposition to hunting for exactly what it is. Nothing to do with animal welfare and everything to do with prejudice and bigotry – and Law that is built on such foundations is bad law and should be scrapped.
Posted by: Baldrick on 2:39pm Fri 30 Nov 07
[quote][bold]Alan2[/bold] wrote:
This was an utter outrage as is Mrs. Cash's approach if she does not support this medieval, barbaric game. Mr. Foster should contact the Chief Constable (not the local hoi poloi) and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police to "investigate" thoroughly. This was a blatant offence albeit the reasons used in justification for the death of the animal are as to be expected from these barbarians and savages. Many of us will be watching the outcome of this Police investigation with a great deal of interest to ensure that there is no whitewash or sweeping under the carpet. We will see how good the investigative ability of the officer responsible is. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.[/quote] [quote]and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police
to "investigate" thoroughly.
[/quote]
Don't you think the police have more important incidents to be dealing with than the accidental death of vermin.
As far as I'm concerned police time would be better spent dealing with the violent crime that seems to plague our towns and cities.
Can anyone help Alan find his sense of proportion!?
Alan2 wrote:
This was an utter outrage as is Mrs. Cash's approach if she does not support this medieval, barbaric game. Mr. Foster should contact the Chief Constable (not the local hoi poloi) and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police to "investigate" thoroughly. This was a blatant offence albeit the reasons used in justification for the death of the animal are as to be expected from these barbarians and savages. Many of us will be watching the outcome of this Police investigation with a great deal of interest to ensure that there is no whitewash or sweeping under the carpet. We will see how good the investigative ability of the officer responsible is. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.
and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police
to "investigate" thoroughly.
Don't you think the police have more important incidents to be dealing with than the accidental death of vermin.
As far as I'm concerned police time would be better spent dealing with the violent crime that seems to plague our towns and cities.
Can anyone help Alan find his sense of proportion!?
Posted by: Alan2, Worcester on 4:57pm Fri 30 Nov 07
I have no intention of entering into futile arguments and debates with the hunting gang. Every statement, excuse and reason for indulging in your barbaric game has been heard before and they have been ridiculed in the past as they can do now.
I profess to be a civilized and humane person, I draw the line at justifying myself to those who indulge in or try to justify blood activities.
That's the last word on this specific case, I would hope to see those responsible prosecuted.
I have no intention of entering into futile arguments and debates with the hunting gang. Every statement, excuse and reason for indulging in your barbaric game has been heard before and they have been ridiculed in the past as they can do now.
I profess to be a civilized and humane person, I draw the line at justifying myself to those who indulge in or try to justify blood activities.
That's the last word on this specific case, I would hope to see those responsible prosecuted.
Posted by: Helen Gibbon, UK on 5:04pm Fri 30 Nov 07
Would this story be in print if it read "Grandson watched as fox ripped bunny apart"? Hunts are following this ridiculous law to the letter. We are not doing anything illegal. We are however, still being persecuted and harassed. It is in phrases like "[italic]evil hunt scum[/italic] " that highlite this more than ever.
Would this story be in print if it read "Grandson watched as fox ripped bunny apart"? Hunts are following this ridiculous law to the letter. We are not doing anything illegal. We are however, still being persecuted and harassed. It is in phrases like "
evil hunt scum " that highlite this more than ever.
Posted by: Alan on 7:03pm Fri 30 Nov 07
Would the Law have been passed if the Labour Party hadn't been given in excess of 1 million pounds?
Would the Law have been passed if the Labour Party hadn't been given in excess of 1 million pounds?
Posted by: johnnierebel on 7:10pm Fri 30 Nov 07
[quote]Joint master of the hunt for Croome and West Warwickshire Foxhounds, Robin Palmer, said: "Unfortunately the hounds found a fox and the huntsman tried to call them back but it resulted in this unfortunate incident. It was an accident."[/quote] Just like it was an accident there happened to be a lot of chumps on horseback and various baying hounds.....
Joint master of the hunt for Croome and West Warwickshire Foxhounds, Robin Palmer, said: "Unfortunately the hounds found a fox and the huntsman tried to call them back but it resulted in this unfortunate incident. It was an accident."
Just like it was an accident there happened to be a lot of chumps on horseback and various baying hounds.....
Posted by: Logik, worcester on 11:43am Sat 1 Dec 07
Killing any poor defenceless animal purely for sport (fun) is indefensible.
Perhaps the hunters should become the hunted to see just how much fun it really is.
Killing any poor defenceless animal purely for sport (fun) is indefensible.
Perhaps the hunters should become the hunted to see just how much fun it really is.
Posted by: Steve, Worcester on 10:29am Mon 3 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Alan2[/bold] wrote:
This was an utter outrage as is Mrs. Cash's approach if she does not support this medieval, barbaric game.
Mr. Foster should contact the Chief Constable (not the local hoi poloi) and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police
to "investigate" thoroughly.
This was a blatant offence albeit the reasons used in justification for the death of the animal are as to be expected from these barbarians and savages.
Many of us will be watching the outcome of this Police investigation with a great deal of interest to ensure that there is no whitewash or sweeping under the carpet.
We will see how good the investigative ability of the officer responsible is. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.[/quote] I agree with everything you are saying alan! Anyone found to still be hunting should be punished to the full extent of the law.
Alan2 wrote:
This was an utter outrage as is Mrs. Cash's approach if she does not support this medieval, barbaric game.
Mr. Foster should contact the Chief Constable (not the local hoi poloi) and demand that the offenders be prosecuted. There must have been more than one witness to this incident and it is the job of the Police
to "investigate" thoroughly.
This was a blatant offence albeit the reasons used in justification for the death of the animal are as to be expected from these barbarians and savages.
Many of us will be watching the outcome of this Police investigation with a great deal of interest to ensure that there is no whitewash or sweeping under the carpet.
We will see how good the investigative ability of the officer responsible is. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.
I agree with everything you are saying alan! Anyone found to still be hunting should be punished to the full extent of the law.
Posted by: Kate, Worcester on 1:47pm Tue 4 Dec 07
You people that are 'for hunting' and such disgusting 'sports' make me so sick. Alan has spoken the words that the majority of people think. You attacking his statements makes me and I'm certain most others feel even more strongly about our views.
How can you call the torturous murder of animals a sport? It is sick and cruel and I will never understand it.
Helen - yes we would be reacting if a 'bunny was torn apart' - if there was intervention by people. I love the way you people always hold the innocent cards up. Hunters push the dogs to do it, you are interferring with nature.
To all you people who are for the 'sport', thanks for the negative encouragement, you have only made me believe in my views more.
You people that are 'for hunting' and such disgusting 'sports' make me so sick. Alan has spoken the words that the majority of people think. You attacking his statements makes me and I'm certain most others feel even more strongly about our views.
How can you call the torturous murder of animals a sport? It is sick and cruel and I will never understand it.
Helen - yes we would be reacting if a 'bunny was torn apart' - if there was intervention by people. I love the way you people always hold the innocent cards up. Hunters push the dogs to do it, you are interferring with nature.
To all you people who are for the 'sport', thanks for the negative encouragement, you have only made me believe in my views more.
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