South Durham Hunt probe after horse 'whip' video sparks outrage

The incident took place in Foxton, near Sedgefield, on Saturday, November 8, with video captured by 'North East Hunt Monitors' widely shared online since.

Durham Police said an investigation has been launched, and officers are working with the RSPCA. The charity said it is aware of the video and urged anyone with information to contact them.

The British Hounds Sports Association (BHSA), the governing body of the hunt, has since called the incident "unacceptable" and said it fell “well below the standards expected”.

It said the clip, which appears to show the rider hit the horse across the side of its head, captured a “brief lapse in judgement by an experienced horseman who has a long track record of proper care and professionalism in his work with horses and hounds.”

A team member from the hunt monitors told The Northern Echo said they shouted at the huntsman at the time "hoping to provoke some sense of shame".

They argued the incident showed "little genuine care" for the horse.

They said: "As a group, we have been doing this for more than 10 years, we have seen numerous foxes hunted and killed, as well as deer and hare, the sound of a fox being torn apart by 40 hounds will never leave you.

"We give up our time at least one day a week from October to March, because we are passionate about wildlife and believe that no animal should be hunted in this way, in the name of sport."

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Police were made aware of reports of a drag hunt on Saturday (November 8) in Sedgefield.

"Officers are now reviewing CCTV in relation to suspected animal cruelty to a horse.

"An investigation is underway, and officers are working alongside RSPCA colleagues."

'Isolated incident'

A spokesperson for the BHSA said the footage is "unacceptable and falls well below the standards expected within our hunt".

They added: “Welfare for both horses and hounds is paramount, and any behaviour that risks undermining confidence in lawful trail hunting must be taken seriously.

“As soon as the incident was confirmed, the hunt took immediate action and referred the matter to the British Hound Sports Association to ensure full openness and transparency. 

“The BHSA, as the governing body, is responsible for enforcing the sport's core principles, has issued a formal reprimand to the huntsman involved and has arranged a precautionary welfare inspection.

“The clip captures a brief lapse in judgement by an experienced horseman who has a long track record of proper care and professionalism in his work with horses and hounds. 

“There is no indication of any wider welfare concern beyond the moment shown. This isolated incident should not be taken as representative of the hunt, its standards, or the values of the sport.

“The hunt remains fully committed to the highest welfare standards and to ensuring that our conduct reflects those standards at all times."

An RSPCA spokesperson added:  “We have been made aware of this video and we would like to reassure people we will always look into complaints made about animal welfare.

“Often the work of our frontline teams is dealt with through advice and education, and it is not always appropriate to publicise this information for legal reasons.

"We would urge anyone with first hand information about this incident to contact us on 0300 123 4999.”