Fox killed by hunt dogs in Abergwili: Police investigate Published duration 19 February 2013

Police are investigating after a fox was killed by hunting hounds on a busy main road in Carmarthenshire.

The fox had apparently been chased onto the A40 in the village of Abergwili, near Carmarthen, on Saturday.

But the local Carmarthenshire Hunt denied responsibility and said its foxhounds were 20 miles away at the time.

Hunting foxes with dogs was banned in 2005, but the dogs can follow scent or flush a fox out without killing it.

One of the hounds was also killed when it was hit by a car as it followed the fox onto the road.

Lee Facey, the master of the hunt, said the Carmarthenshire Hunt - which is registered - was at a meet in Pendine, accompanied by animal rights campaigners and a police officer.

"No hunt would plan to take their hounds onto a road like that," he said. "I imagine that whoever was involved would have been operating within the law but that the dogs had gone off in what has ended up in this unfortunate incident.

"Obviously we realise it doesn't look good but I am sure whoever is involved in this would be full of remorse."

'Rebel packs'

Martin Walters, the joint Carmarthenshire Hunt master, said unlicensed hunting with foxhounds was going on in the area.

"There are so many rebel packs at the moment - it's getting ridiculous. These hounds could have come in from anywhere by people hunting on foot having a day out in the area."

A League Against Cruel Sports spokeswoman said Wales and the Welsh borders were "hotspots" for this type of behaviour.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman confirmed the force was investigating.

"As part of that investigation officers have been speaking with witnesses and members of the hunt to establish what happened.

"These inquiries are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this point."