Fox attack: Dogs belong to foot hunt
INVESTIGATORS say they have identified the hunt which owns the pack of hounds that appeared to rip apart a fox on a busy Carmarthen road earlier this month.
Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPCA are now working on a joint investigation into the incident on the A40 near Abergwili on Saturday, February 16.
Witnesses travelling on a bus described how they watched in horror as dogs caught the fox.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said the hounds belonged to a foot hunt, but he would not say which one.
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"We have taken many statements," he said.
"We have identified the hunt and the hunt master.
"It is a joint investigation between the police and the RSPCA."
Last week witnesses told the Journal how the dogs came down from the wooded area above the busy road.
One witness, who did not wish to be identified, reported the incident to the League Against Cruel Sports' Wildlife Crimewatch line and said: "I was on the 280 bus from Carmarthen to Llandeilo.
"At around 10.30am the bus came to an abrupt halt half a mile after the roundabout after Abergwili.
"I saw a pack of what seemed like hunting dogs bounding down from the wooded hill on to the road where there was oncoming traffic.
"The dogs seemed to be attacking and surrounding something that was covering them in blood and then I could just make out the shape of the fox.
"I could see the pack as clear as day on the other side of the road, and the attack happened for at least five minutes."
A picture, taken by one of the bus passengers, was posted on the Spotted Carmarthen Facebook page.
An accompanying comment said: "It was one the most horrible things to experience."
Police Inspector Craig Templeton said: "We are conducting an inquiry into the incident and have been in touch with colleagues in the RSPCA who are assisting us.
"While we are not making a further appeal for more witnesses we will of course listen to any information brought to us."
The Hunting Act 2004, which bans the hunting of wild mammals with dogs in Wales and England, came into force on February 18, 2005.
4 Comments
by dusktilldawn
Sunday, March 03 2013, 1:48PM
“No they did not appear to rip a fox apart,they DID rip a fox apart !lets hope the rspca can obtain a conviction, there were enough witnesses!These morons who think they are above the law and carry on with this so called SPORT! They are not human, they stopped evolving years ago.Cruelty to animals is one of the distinguishing vices of low and base minds.wherever it is found, it is a certain mark of ignorance and meaness;The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance,is a positively outrageous example of western crudity and barbarity.Those responsible have no compassion or respect for our fellow creatures,wild animals never kill for sport.Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself !lets hope justice will prevail,personally i would hunt them to extiction.”
by twotonethomas
Friday, March 01 2013, 5:30PM
“All common criminals believe that the law they are breaking doesn't apply to them, whilst wailing for tougher sentences for those people who break the laws that they do support.”
by sidsensible
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:24PM
“Absolutely appalling that this vile and sickening spectacle is still happening in modern 21st century Britain. Anyone connected with this obscenity is twisted and clearly depraved. Let's hope the police and the RSPCA do the right thing and convict these monsters and put them in the same category as low-life dog fighters. Once we get our new Government, the Act will be strengthened and any loopholes closed, and a massive five figure fine or imprisonment will put a stop to this abomination. I hear that some inmates do not take to kindly to animal abusers....”
by Kindanimal
Friday, March 01 2013, 9:04AM
“Hunting with dogs was banned 8 years ago but these people seem to believe this particular doesn't apply to them and are still traing their hounds to scent out a fox. This practice should be made illegal too. It's just another way they can make the excuse that 'it was an accident' that the hounds came across a fox scent and chased that one away from the laid trail.”