Yahoo News Pack of hounds broke into elderly couple's back garden before savaging a fox, campaigners claim
A pack of hounds broke into an elderly couple's back garden before savaging a fox, campaigners have claimed.
Police are investigating the alleged incident after activists from Cheshire Monitors shared photographs on social media appearing to show the mutilated remains of the animal.
One witness claimed eight hounds came racing through their garden and went over a 3ft fence, before cornering the fox behind a summer house on Saturday afternoon.
They said the eight hounds mauled the fox to death. A woman in a balaclava is then alleged to have tried to remove the fox underneath a fleece-type coat.
Cheshire Police said it was investigating an incident involving a hunt in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on Saturday after photos surfaced online.
The force posted on Facebook: "We are aware of concerns around hunt activity in the Macclesfield area. We are investigating this matter and working with specialist officers and the RSPCA."
Residents Locals said a hunt came through the built-up residential area and claimed they saw unmarked quad bikes, hounds and a huntsman blowing a horn.
Kevin Church, 47, described hounds sprinting through his garden, churning up the grass, before pouncing on the fox.
I have never seen anything like this before, not in a residential area
Kevin Church
He said: "About seven or eight of them tore it apart - it was quite horrific really.
"I could see within seconds that it would have been a waste of time to get involved. There was no chance of a good outcome for the fox.
"The fox came down our driveway into our back garden and made an escape into next door.
"Then I saw all these dogs come flooding into the garden - we stopped a few of them coming in.
"Half of them jumped over the fence and got the fox cornered. It is only a low fence, around 3ft, I stood on the decking which is slightly higher so I had a good view. I have never seen anything like this before, not in a residential area."
The Cheshire Forest Hunt has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
