This drone footage filmed by hunt saboteurs shows the moment dozens of hounds catch and 'decapitate' a fox as three hunters on horseback stand nearby 'laughing.'

Anti-hunt campaigners West Kent Hunt Sabs have taken to filming the practice, capturing these graphic scenes on Saturday that show three riders on horseback following a pack of hounds as they appear to catch the scent of a fox.

Galloping across the 100 sq mile landscape, the riders pursue the hounds, who eventually catch up with the terrified creature.

The footage shows two dogs manage to catch the fox and begin a tug of war over it before the entire pack encircle the poor animal and tear it apart - leaving it 'decapitated'.

Harry Blackhurst, a member of West Kent Hunt Sabs, prepares to fly his drone and monitor the hunt from above

Anti-hunt campaigners West Kent Hunt Sabs filmed the appalling scenes on Saturday, as the hounds catch and attack a fox

The fox is left literally ripped limb from limb by the hounds (circled in red), who then appear to return to the huntsman

As the bloodied animal lies in two halves on the grass, the hounds then appear to run back to the huntsmen.

Harry Blackhurst, of West Kent Hunt Sabs, claims he and his team tried to get to the foxes body but it was retrieved by someone from the hunt - who he claims were all laughing.

He is calling on East Sussex Police to enforce the 'weak' Hunting Act, which states fox hunting is illegal in England, Scotland and Wales. Police have confirmed they are investigating.

Mr Blackhurst, from Kent, said: 'We were speechless. How anyone can do that to an animal is beyond me.

'But nothing's being done because the Hunting Act is weak, so they use any loopholes in the law.

A large group of hounds chase towards the scent of a fox in a rural location in East Sussex

Two of the dogs manage to catch the fox and the rest of the group soon join in an attack it

Social media users on the West Kent Hunt Sabs Facebook page were critical of the hunt

'In the footage, the fox's head is just to the right. We tried to get clearer footage of the body but the terrier-men of the hunt took it away.

'The most mortifying thing was when they killed the fox, they [the hunters] were all laughing.

'This was illegal hunting. There were at least 30 hounds - what you would call a full pack and they made absolutely no attempt to lay a trail.

'They were there for an hour and a half going round in circles to help the hounds pick up the scent of the fox.'

Mr Blackhurst and the team at West Kent Hunt Sabs were called in to help assist South Coast Hunt Sabs last weekend as they monitored a hunt.

He claims the dogs were heard 'crying' which signals they had picked up the scent of a fox.

He said: 'We got a call from South Coast Hunt Sabs saying they needed our help.

'The South Coast Hunt Sabs were already following them in the field so we got into a position where we could use the drone.

Social media users on the West Kent Hunt Sabs Facebook page were critical of the hunt

'The hunt must have known we were there because shortly after we arrived, the hounds went into cry. That's the noise they make when they pick up the scent of a fox.

'We tried to confuse them with a hunting horn. The hunters must have heard that.

'When the fox was killed, I got the drone back and ran over to try and get the body. Unfortunately there are marshes and streams and I couldn't get there before the terrier-men.

'There's a road behind the field, running perpendicular to where the fox was killed and the supporters were driving up and down it all day.

'They were laughing when the fox was killed and afterwards.

'What needs to happen is the Hunting Act needs to be strengthened. People are getting away with [illegal hunting].

'The law needs to be enforced. The Hunting Act is so weak.'

In response to images showing the torn-apart fox carcass, online supporters of the saboteurs branded the fox hunters 'twisted' and 'inhumane'.

Elaine Parkinson said: 'This has to stop. It's just inhumane, cruel, barbaric, twisted, sick. I'm heartbroken to see any animal treated so abominably.

'I really don't know how people can do this.'

John Radley said: 'I sincerely hope those responsible will be brought to justice, but sadly doubt that will happen.'

Perry Linzi said: 'Made me feel physically sick reading this. [You] do an amazing job. So sorry this poor soul couldn't be saved but carry on with your amazing work.'

West Kent Hunt Sabs have started to use drones to record hunts and supply the information to the police

A spokesman from East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt said that they were out on a hunt on Saturday in the area but claimed nobody was aware of their hounds catching a fox.

He said they had more than 40 hounds out but suggested it could have been a few of their dogs that had 'deviated' - though pointed out they didn't have terrier-men.

A spokesman from East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt said: 'It's all news to me. We had 40 hounds out all day so if something's happened, it's news to me.

'They may have deviated for a few minutes and that's what's gone on. I don't know.

'I can't believe [they were laughing] because nobody even knew the hounds had caught a fox.

'We were trail hunting all day and we had over 40 hounds out. It's obviously a few hounds that have deviated.

'We don't have terrier-men. The first I know about [a fox being caught] is [now].

'Nobody would have been to deal with it because we didn't know it had happened.'

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: 'Sussex Police received a report of illegal fox hunting at Guldeford, near Rye, at 2.09pm on Saturday (November 9). Officers were deployed to the scene.

'A video has now been provided and the matter will be investigated.'