Terrified calf chased by hounds in High Peak hunt

Shocking footage shows a terrified calf ‘running for its life’ and jumping over walls while being chased through a farmer's field in Hurdlow by a pack of crazed hunt hounds.
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Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs filmed the young cow being swarmed by dogs after they burst onto the field on November 4.

It can be seen narrowly avoiding the chasing pack of snarling hounds from the High Peak Hunt as it hurdles drystone walls designed to keep livestock in the field.

*WARNING: Video does contain bad language

Photo: Nottingham Hunt SaboteursPhoto: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs
Photo: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs

An animal rights activist filming the footage can be heard gasping and saying: "Oh my God, look at this calf running for its life – they are actually chasing a calf through a field.”

Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs said they intended to forward the footage on to police and the RSCPA to see if any legal action can now be taken.

A spokesperson said: "We've never seen anything like this and we've been doing it for a long time, they just burst into the field and starting chasing the calf.

"There have been quite a few hunts scrambling to get them in before lockdown so we knew they would be in the area.

Photo: Nottingham Hunt SaboteursPhoto: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs
Photo: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs
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"This particular one hunts hares and foxes and I have no doubt they were looking for hares, there's no way they would lay a fox trail so close to livestock.

"You can see them swarming around this poor calf. It is running for its life and terrified because there's no way they would usually clear three drystone walls.

"Those walls are designed to keep them in, so it was going to drastic measures to get away. Its mum had bolted as well and must have feared for her young.

Photo: Nottingham Hunt SaboteursPhoto: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs
Photo: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs

"It just shows how frightened this poor creature must have been and God knows what would have happened if they caught it as they can do a lot of damage.

A spokesperson for the High Peak Hunt said: “Following a highly unusual incident that took place on 4th November in which some young hounds became distracted while carrying out lawful trail hunting activities, the High Peak Hunt can confirm that the hunt staff stopped the hounds as soon as possible and that they have never experienced anything of this nature in the past.

"Throughout the hunting day, the hounds are constantly distracted by the activities of the hunt saboteurs who have a history of shouting or blowing hunting horns and spraying unknown substances around the hounds in order to distract them.

"Our professional hunt staff, who devote their lives to their hounds, take pride in the education of the hounds which includes introducing them to animals, children and other hazards that they might encounter during the hunting day.

"The Hunt can confirm that they have been in contact with the farmer to ensure the welfare of the cow and calf, and will, of course, take steps to ensure they avoid any possibility of a recurrence.”

A Derbyshire Police spokesperson said the force took reports of this nature ‘very seriously’ and asked anyone with footage to get in touch with them.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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