Essex & Suffolk Huntsman Appears to Hit Hound.

As shocking footage surfaces, questions grow about violence, cover-ups, and the myth of “caring for hounds.”

The glossy PR machine of the hunting world, with its smiling riders, polished boots, and sentimental claims of “we love our hounds,” has once again been challenged by drone footage captured by Suffolk Action for Wildlife (SAW).

The footage, which SAW say appears to show Essex and Suffolk Huntsman John Henty striking one of his hounds, has sparked widespread concern among animal welfare campaigners. It makes for difficult viewing, but SAW argue it raises serious questions about what really happens behind the scenes when the public isn’t watching.

When the cameras used for hunt promotion are off, when the façade drops, this, campaigners suggest, is what “caring for hounds” can look like.

The PR Fantasy vs. The Brutal Reality

The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) and Countryside Alliance (CA) invest heavily in portraying hunting as a wholesome countryside tradition, a story of camaraderie, animal care, and rural values.

But, as SAW point out, footage like this rarely features in their narratives. Campaigners say it highlights the fear, the violence, and the betrayal of trust that can lie behind the closed gates of kennels and hunt meets.

Animal welfare experts consulted by Protect the Wild say that, regardless of intent, physical handling of dogs in this manner would not be considered acceptable in most professional environments. In kennels, grooming, or veterinary care, similar conduct would likely trigger disciplinary action or investigation.

Police have reportedly reviewed the footage and concluded that no further action would be taken, suggesting that the incident may have involved separating fighting dogs. Campaigners have expressed concern about that explanation and called for greater consistency in how such cases are assessed and enforced.

Drone footage captured by SAW appears to show the huntsmen hit a hound and then kick out repeatedly.

A Pattern of Alleged Abuse and Intimidation

Suffolk Action for Wildlife say this footage is not an isolated incident but part of a wider pattern of troubling behaviour linked to elements of the hunting world.

The group reference a number of previous public controversies involving the Essex and Suffolk Hunt, including confrontations filmed at meets and alleged aggressive conduct towards monitors. Protect the Wild understands that these matters have attracted police attention in the past, but not all resulted in formal action.

John Henty filmed by SAW, appears to encourage hounds onto a fox and attempt’s to intimidate the witness by using his horse as a weapon.

Mr Henty has been charged with assault and is currently awaiting trial, which is due to take place in July 2026. Protect the Wild makes no comment on the details of the ongoing case and understands that Mr Henty denies any wrongdoing.

John Henty filmed by SAW appears to hit a sab.

SAW also note that Mr Henty’s predecessor, Sam Staniland, was convicted of animal cruelty and badger baiting in April 2025, information confirmed through court records. Campaigners argue that such cases raise broader concerns about oversight and accountability within the hunting sector.

The Human Cost: Staff and Hounds

According to SAW, individuals familiar with the hunt’s kennels have described challenging working conditions, including reports of shouting and intimidation. Protect the Wild has not independently verified these accounts but includes them here as part of the public discussion about standards within hunting organisations.

Footage reviewed by SAW appears to show several hounds displaying behaviour that animal welfare specialists interpret as signs of fear or distress, though definitive conclusions would require independent assessment by qualified behaviourists.

Campaigners have questioned why the Masters of the Essex and Suffolk Hunt continue to employ individuals at the centre of repeated public controversies and have called for greater transparency and welfare oversight.

SAW capture video footage of John Henty and the hounds when packing up.

What It Really Means to “Protect the Countryside”

This is not rural tradition. This is rural harm, campaigners say. This is not heritage. It is suffering. This is not love for hounds. It is exploitation.

The Essex and Suffolk Hunt, and those who defend such practices, must face legitimate scrutiny. No amount of PR spin or “trail hunting” narratives can erase the growing number of troubling incidents raised by those monitoring the hunts.

Protect the Wild stands with Suffolk Action for Wildlife, with hunt monitors, saboteurs, and local residents who continue to document what they see, often at personal risk. Support them if you can, by donating, sharing their work, and keeping the truth in the public eye.

When institutions fail, when police or regulators turn away, it falls to ordinary people to bear witness.

And they will.

Because the hounds deserve better.

Because the countryside deserves better.

Because truth deserves to be seen.