Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hounds tear up fox in residential garden

Notorious hunt caught breaking the law yet again

Hunting hounds caused yet more havoc this week when the notorious Blackmore and Sparkford Vale's dogs ran rampage in a residential garden, chasing and killing a fox. The heartbreaking incident took place in West Camel, Somerset, on 11 November.

Footage was captured on the home's security camera and given to North Dorset Hunt Saboteurs. The sabs uploaded the video to their Facebook page, and said:

"'Sorry the hounds popped into your garden' says Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt Master Vicky Heal after the entire pack rampaged around in a frenzy, jumping up at windows, and ultimately killing a fox. Terriermen then barge in and grab the body parts without so much as a 'by your leave'! The kill is just out of sight behind a fence panel but the sickening noise as it happens is unbearable."

One of the residents also thought her cat had been killed by the pack, too, but thankfully the pet returned home later that night.

The sabs also uploaded another video recorded by a local of the terriermen removing the remains of the fox and driving off.

BSV hounds trespass and kill a fox in a garden. Screenshot from residential security camera footage

BSV master Vicky Heal apologies that the hounds "popped" into the residential garden. Screenshot from residential security camera footage

One in a long list of kills

The BSV has a reputation for blatantly breaking the law. Earlier this year, the hunt caused nationwide outrage when North Dorset Sabs' drone footage of BSV hounds killing a fox aired on Channel 4 News. The harrowing video, filmed on 4 December 2023, shows the hounds chasing a fox. The terrified animal seeks cover in a barn while hunt members and hounds surround the building. The footage then shows the fox running away, but she is caught by the hounds and ripped apart. Hunt staff watch on and do nothing to call the hounds off. They make sure that they retrieve the fox’s mauled body afterwards – presumably to get rid of the evidence.

Because the incident made the mainstream media, the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) was forced to take token action, briefly suspending the hunt. But the BSV continued to hunt despite the suspension, reportedly with someone from the BHSA in attendance.

This week, the North Dorset Sabs said:

"We have been told that the BSV have a Community Protection Warning in place following the killing of the Pelsham Farm Fox in December. Without doubt Avon and Somerset Police must at the very least escalate this to a full Community Protection Notice with far stricter conditions.

Four members of the hunt are in Poole Magistrates court in April for a 3 day trial after drone footage caught them hunting and killing the poor fox. 5 other members are also in court next year for public order offences from last season."

Protect the Wild's annual report, A Case for a Proper Ban on Hunting, showed that the BSV was the most prolific offender of all the hunts of the 2023/24 season. Glen Black wrote in the report:

"the BSV had approximately 96 meets during the 2023/24 season. A total of 29 meets or 30.2% involved chasing or killing a fox. If averaging the total number of foxes chased or killed, then the BSV chased or killed a fox nearly 47% of the time. Two of these meets also included chasing a hare and a deer. There was also one meet where the BSV’s hounds rioted onto a deer but didn’t reportedly chase any other animal."

As well as being the hunt at the centre of our campaign asking The Newt in Somerset - 'the world's best boutique hotel' - t0 stop supporting these lawbreakers, we also regularly feature the BSV on Protect the Wild in news articles.

• Protect the Wild: Men from Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt charged with illegal hunting (June 2024)

• Protect the Wild: Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hunter guilty of ABH (April 2024)

• Protect the Wild: Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hunt murder or dig out foxes three times in one week (Sept 2023)

It's time for a ban

Enough is enough. This latest incident is just one of hundreds that the Labour government needs to take note of as it considers strengthening the Hunting Act. Protect the Wild argues that the government needs to get rid of ALL loopholes in the Act, and ensure that hunts who engage in reckless behaviour are immediately punished. It's time to consign the hunting of wildlife to the history books once and for all.

• Header image credit North Dorset Hunt saboteurs. Support the sabs! You can donate to North Dorset Hunt Saboteurs here.