'Animals terrified' as hunt hounds go astray (From Gazette Series)

'Animals terrified' as hunt hounds go astray

BERKELEY Hunt has been accused of riding roughshod over farmland "mafia-style". But while it has apologised for entering the land it has denied worrying animals.

The owners of a farm on the outskirts of Berkeley claim the hunt strayed onto their land last month, terrifying their animals. Further, one of the farmers alleges she was laughed and jeered at by the hunters.

The farmer, who did not want to be named, said: "On the hunt approaching, the animals went into terror mode, with my pigs running into the electric fence, the sheep shaking and the goats in a state of fear.

"Even before hounds came onto the land the animals were really worried. It was horrible. If the hunt are around, we can't go out as we have to be around here. If we hadn't have been here, I don't know what would have happened.

"We don't have a problem with Henry Berkeley. He came to see us when we first moved here and he came around to apologise after."

Huntmaster Mr Berkeley told the Gazette: "I wasn't present at the incident but, from what our hunters have said, the pack was drawing a field of maize opposite the farm, looking for the fox, when three or four hounds broke away, entering the farm's land. They did not worry the sheep or pigs, or any of the animals."

He added: "I've been told that when the dogs were on her land, the owner became vitriolic towards the hunt supporters. Colourful language was exchanged by both parties."

Mr Berkeley apologised to the landowners for the dogs entering their land, stating: "Hounds don't know when they're doing something wrong."

He offered to build a fence at the bottom of the farmland to prevent a repeat incident and also vowed to ensure the landowners would receive a week's warning in advance of the next meet.

Added Mr Berkeley: " Unfortunately, you can't tell where a fox is going to run, and wherever it goes the hounds will follow."