Foxhounds continue to be put in danger by hunts

It is time for hunts to take responsibility for their foxhounds’ welfare.

In the last week, several incidents have highlighted the persistent risks foxhounds face during hunting with them repeatedly placed in dangerous situations. Despite claiming to care deeply for their hounds, hunts often demonstrate little regard for their safety.

On February 8th, North London Hunt Saboteurs (Sabs) filmed a troubling scene involving the Thurlow huntsman. The footage shows the huntsman trampling a foxhound with his horse without stopping to check the hound’s condition or dismounting to ensure the hound was unharmed. This occurred just weeks after another Thurlow Hunt hound was kicked in the head by a horse. Despite the severity of the injury, the Thurlow Hunt has not provided an update on the hound’s condition, although the worst is feared.

Our latest episode of Rob’s Wild Show looks at the week of carnage that has unfolded when it comes to the suffering of foxhounds.

Thurlow Huntsmen Tramples hound, credit: North London Hunt Sabs, 8/02/25.

Unfortunately, this neglect is not isolated to one hunt…

On February 11, the Mendip Farmers Hunt was filmed via drone by Mendip Hunt Sabs as their hounds ran into an active quarry. The footage shows hounds navigating around heavy, working machinery, with one narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle. The huntsman struggled for some time to regain control, suggesting the hounds were chasing a live quarry, as no trail could have been laid in such a hazardous area which puts hounds and humans at great risk.

Video: https://fb.watch/xP3C49Wvq-/

Mendip Farmer's Hunt hound is filmed running under active quarry machinery. Credit: Mendip Hunt Sabs, 11/02/24

On February 12, York Hunt Sabs filmed the Middleton Hunt hounds chasing a fox across multiple fields before entering a yard with moving vehicles. While no hounds were injured in this instance, it was purely a matter of luck. Sadly, the fox’s fate is unknown.

Additionally, reports indicate that a farmer shot at the Cheshire Forest Hunt hounds. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear and are currently under investigation. Tragically, one hound was killed, while another was rushed to a veterinary clinic for urgent care. This is a heartbreaking situation for all involved, and we sincerely hope the injured hound recovers. Protect the Wild firmly condemns any violence against the hounds, as they are not at fault. Yet, time and again, they are the ones placed in danger during hunts and ultimately suffer the consequences.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1846223296203647&ref=sharing

Middleton Hunt hounds chase fox into yard of working machinery. Credit: York Hunt Sabs, 12/02/25

On February 13, another alarming incident involving the Cattistock Hunt highlighted not only animal welfare issues but also biosecurity concerns. North Dorset Hunt Sabs captured footage of a hound becoming trapped in cow slurry. Although the hound was rescued and carried to a hunt vehicle, the incident had significant health and safety risks.

Cow slurry harbours harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause life-threatening conditions if ingested or inhaled, such as aspiration pneumonia. Additionally, slurry exposure heightens the risk of spreading diseases like bovine tuberculosis (bTB), foot-and-mouth disease, or leptospirosis between farms—potentially leading to devastating consequences for local wildlife (especially badgers who are blamed for spreading bTb), farmed animals and agriculture.

This incident highlights that not only foxhounds are at serious risk during hunts, but local farmed animals and wildlife too. The hound’s condition remains unknown, but the broader implications for both animal and farm biosecurity are significant.The hound’s condition remains unknown, but the broader implications for both animal and farm biosecurity are significant.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=936633512006932&ref=sharing

Cattistock Hound struggles in cow slurry. Credit: North Dorset Hunt Sabs, 13/02/25

Hunts repeatedly putting hounds at risk

Five dangerous incidents over the span of a few days illustrate a clear pattern: hunts are repeatedly putting their hounds at risk. These dangers could easily be avoided if hunts had stopped illegally fox hunting in 2005 and trained their hounds on non-animal-based scents.

While hunts claim to love and care for their hounds, their actions paint a different picture. With 170 registered hunts in the UK—many meeting multiple times per week—the true scale of such incidents is likely much higher than reported.

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that hounds have been placed at risk during hunts. From being struck by vehicles to becoming trapped, the dangers are undeniable.

Despite numerous opportunities to adopt humane, safer practices, many hunts continue to ignore the risks foxhounds face. With the potential for a total ban on hunting, it is time for hunts to take responsibility for their foxhounds’ welfare. They should retire and rehome their hounds, putting their safety above an outdated, dangerous “tradition”.

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