Police Investigate Fox Killing Witnessed by Woman Near Her Somerset Home

A woman in West Somerset saw something awful. Wendy Bowen was working at home in Lydeard St Lawrence when her dog suddenly started barking loudly. She went outside to see what was happening nearby and saw many hounds running around her paddock. Some hunt riders then passed by her house uphill.

Soon, Wendy heard loud yelling from the hunt riders. She knew this meant the hounds found a fox. Wendy said the riders made terrible noises, and then the hunt dogs started crying out. She understood it was already too late for the fox, and she went to confront the hunters she saw.

She found hounds running loose on her property, trying to reach a field to rejoin the pack. She then saw the pack of hounds gathered together, all pulling and tearing at the fox’s body. It was a horrible thing for her to see, and she felt helpless.

Wendy saw four men on quad bikes nearby. When they saw her filming, they hid their faces. One man in a flat cap spoke to the others before trying to stop the hounds from killing the fox. But it was much too late to save the animal. Wendy called 999 and the police came.

She gave the police photos and video as evidence. Later, Wendy found the fox’s remains in a gruesome sight, where the hounds had been. Someone from Somerset Hunt Saboteurs spoke about it, saying they felt for Wendy after what she witnessed.

The Saboteurs said this shows trail-hunting lies, believing it hides illegal fox hunting. They want the government to ban fox hunting soon. Rowan Hughes also spoke about hounds in gardens, saying it stresses people, pets, foxes, and wildlife.

Hughes felt sorry Wendy saw the brutal kill, admiring that she quickly gathered proof and phoned the police. He said the law is not good enough, fearing the hunt will not face justice. Police say they are investigating the incident fully.

The police rural crime team helps the investigating officer. People who saw something should call 101 and mention reference number 5225026293.