Shocking scale of illegal fox hunting in Cheshire revealed – 14 years after it was banned

The shocking scale of fox hunting still taking place in the Cheshire countryside 14 years after the bloodsport was banned has been highlighted in new figures.

The League Against Cruel Sports has gathered 268 reports of illegal hunting activity and 43 reports of fox kills by hunts across the country, from November when the season opened and now at its close.

Of these, 21 of these reports took place in Cheshire.

Foxes have been chased to exhaustion across the Cheshire countryside before, on some occasions, being torn apart in the jaws of the hunt’s hounds.

In early February, a police investigation was launched after a fox was killed following a hunt near Nantwich.

Badger setts have also been blocked up near hunt meets to stop foxes taking refuge during the chase and horses and hounds trespassed in pursuit of wild-animals.

The figures were compiled from the League’s Animal Crimewatch service, which consists of reports from members of the public and from the League’s professional investigators, as well as from evidence gathered from social media.

Chris Luffingham, director of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “These figures sadly show the scale of the killing still taking place in the British countryside by fox hunts.

“We know these reports are just the tip of the iceberg, with fox hunts killing indiscriminately across the UK and lying about their bloodthirsty activities to cover up their crimes.

“However, I believe the tide is turning. Political parties are now recognising the need to take animal welfare much more seriously and put in place stronger legislation to protect British wildlife.”

An online petition was launched earlier this year calling for Cheshire police to prosecute illegal hunters.

Hunting remains a key political issue in Westminster in terms of animal welfare, with the focus now on the need to strengthen the Hunting Act