Norfolk hunting dogs kill fox chased into Hingham garden

The incident saw the pack follow the fox into a property in Hingham before setting on it, leaving blood and guts strewn across the patio, near the residents' swimming pool.

The fox runs into the private garden in Hingham (Image: Submitted)

A member of the hunt then entered the garden and picked up the carcass, putting it under his coat, before the group left the area.

The incident has been reported to police, who are still investigating.

The hunt has apologised to the property's residents, who were angered by what happened.

A pack of dogs kill a fox in a private garden in Hingham, Norfolk (Image: Submitted)

Daisy, who lives at the home with her husband, two young children and mother, said: "Our children play in the garden every day but luckily they weren't home at the time.

"When a pack of dogs is in a frenzy like that you don't know what they would do. They were completely crazy.

"My mum was at home at the time and saw the hunting group on their horses in the driveway and went out to confront them.

A man runs off with the dead fox that was killed by a pack of hunting dogs at a home in Norfolk (Image: Submitted)

"Afterwards we looked at the CCTV and saw a fox hiding in the garden for two minutes before the pack of about 30 dogs raced in and ripped it apart.

"There was no attempt to call the dogs back.

"I really feel for the animal, you could see it was terrified and in despair. It was appalling.

"It is such a nasty and out-of-date thing."

The aftermath of the attack left blood and guts strewn across the patio (Image: Submitted)

Daisy's husband managed to clear up much of the fox's blood and guts before their children arrived home.

West Norfolk Hunting Group, which was involved in the incident on Monday, has been approached for comment.

In a statement to ITV News, the group said: “The hunt is aware of an incident which took place while it was conducting lawful trail hunting activities in the Hingham area.

"The hunt has been in contact with the occupiers of the house and apologised for any distress this isolated accident may have caused. The hunt has also been assisting the police with their enquiries.”

Campaign groups have described the footage as "sickening" and called on the government to strengthen the rules on hunting.

It is illegal to hunt foxes with a pack of dogs. However, hunts can use dogs to simulate hunting, through drag or trail hunting.

Critics say the legislation has left loopholes, which allow trail hunting to be used as a 'smokescreen' for the illegal hunting of foxes.

Emma Judd, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "This sickening video will horrify the vast majority of the public.

“We need to convince the government that it’s time for change and to strengthen hunting laws to ensure that incidents like this are a thing of the past.”

A poll conducted by the League last year found that 76pc of the Norfolk electorate was in favour of strengthening hunting laws.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Police were called to Hingham on Monday 20 February 2023 following a report that a group of dogs had entered the garden of a private property without permission and killed a fox.

"The matter is now being investigated by Norfolk Constabulary's Operation Randall rural true crime team and enquiries are ongoing."

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 quoting investigations 36/12872/23 or 36/12874/23.

They can also email OperationRandall@norfolk.police.uk.