Hounds attack herd of alpacas
In an incident in Herefordshire last Saturday morning, out-of-control hounds from the North Ledbury Hunt attacked a herd of alpacas. A number of the animals were seriously injured.
The hunt has apologised and offered to pay veterinary costs, but the incident has drawn strong criticism from some animal welfare charities.
Joe Duckworth, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said; “This is yet another example of irresponsible and anti-social behaviour from a hunt. Just the other week huntsmen from the Seavington Hunt in Somerset were unable to stop their hounds straying onto a high-speed railway line. What on earth will be next?”
Mr Duckworth added, “The offer of paying veterinary bills is simply too little too late. The North Ledbury Hunt needs to make radical improvements to the way it operates to make sure this sort of incident never happens again.”
The owner of the alpaca farm, Rachel Simon, is now seeking assurances that the hunt will not come onto her property again.