Rider gives 'proof' that hunt was deliberately chasing a fox when hounds invaded gardens of a Banbury area village

Barford St Michael villager Linda Newbery said hounds had chased a fox into a yard but others of the pack were with the huntsman on the track below. She said the huntsman spent half an hour trying to recall the hounds.

The hunt has apologised unreservedly to householders after hounds deviated from a laid trail.

The incident happened last Thursday when six or seven hounds entered in Ms Newbery’s garden. Residents said there were about 30 horses in the lane beyond.

"One said they couldn't get through at the end of Horn Hill and a rider replied ‘It went this way - but we've lost it now’. So they clearly knew they were chasing a fox,” said Ms Newbery.

"The riders realised they couldn't get through to the field, where the huntsman was blowing his horn, having come up from the track below,” she said.

"I passed a member of hunt staff on foot who was attempting to gather hounds and went down to Summer Ley where most of the riders and followers had gathered.

"I remonstrated with the huntsman, who told me I know nothing about the countryside. The huntsman took half an hour to regroup the hounds.

“I heard from neighbours the unsupervised hounds in Horn Hill had been seen chasing a fox into a yard and they remained in the lane when the mounted followers left. I don't know whether the fox got away.

“This is deeply concerning - that the hunt assumes the right to invade quiet residential streets in villages, that these hounds were out of control, chasing a fox and those hounds could easily have killed a cat.

“The Heythrop should inform communities when they are intending to hunt in the area, so residents can keep pets indoors. Following a trail, they must have a clear idea of where they will be.

“I’m deeply opposed to hunting and believe 'trail hunting' is a smokescreen for hunting as usual. Whatever views anyone has, it's unacceptable for hunts to trespass in private gardens, invade residential streets and put pets at risk.”

A spokesperson for the Heythrop Hunt said: “The Heythrop Hunt was trail hunting in and around the Barford St Michael area, when a few hounds became separated from the pack, having deviated from the trail laid for them to follow.

"In the interests of animal welfare, it was the priority of the hunt staff and other hunt officials to gather these hounds up and return them to the pack as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption to local residents.

"As well as taking the education of their hounds incredibly seriously, the hunt takes great pride in the relationship it enjoys with landowners and other members of the rural community and apologises unreservedly for any distress events on this day may have caused to local residents.”

Emma Judd of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: ““The excuse hunts use that they are trail hunting is simply a smokescreen to deceive the public, the police and courts.

“It’s time for hunting laws to be strengthened to end the barbaric and sordid activity of fox hunting once and for all.”