Hunt apologises again after breakaway hounds run past homes and industrial estate

The Heythrop Hunt say the hounds were swiftly returned safely to the pack.
-Credit:Submitted


A Cotswold hunt has apologised after hounds broke away and ran past homes and an industrial estate in Bourton-on-the-Water. The Heythrop Hunt say their hounds deviated from the trail that had been laid for them on January 25 and ran past homes in Bourton Chase.

It is the second time in recent months that their dogs have run amok in the area. The hunt’s chairman apologised to Bourton Parish Council over a similar incident in October.

The minutes of last month's meeting said in the letter, they apologised for any inconvenience caused by the “isolated incident” and “they would try to ensure that future events would be kept away from residential areas. But residents reported loose hounds in residential and industrial parts of Bourton. Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed they had been contacted but said enquiries are ongoing.

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John Petrie, senior campaigns manager at national animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “This hunt has been at pains to say it follows pre-laid trails, but being found - yet again – in places it has no business being.

“More powers are needed to stop hunts breaking the law, which is why we’re asking the government to remove the loopholes in the Hunting Act and introduce maximum custodial sentences for those who persist in chasing wildlife with hounds through the countryside. It’s time for change.

A spokesperson for the Heythrop Hunt said: “A few hounds deviated from the trail that had been laid for them. “On this occasion the hounds were swiftly returned safely to the pack and we apologise to anybody who may have been inconvenienced by this occurrence.”

A police spokesperson said: “Police were contacted on Saturday (25 January) with a report of loose hounds from a hunt in residential and industrial areas in Bourton-on-the-Water. “Enquiries are ongoing and no offences have been identified at this time.”