I put this on not` because of a fox eating a dead sheep but to comment upon what it could be — a ruse or a bait — or simply because there is another issue. However, one to be noted for a future reference. The main point really is that ‘The SABS’ are out there taking notice. So another well done from me.
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘅 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁
Our day started with Welsh Border Sabs at Michaelchurch Escley where apparently the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt were due to meet. Totally out of character, we arrived at the meet before the hunt, spent some time checking out alternative meet locations, before coming to the conclusion that the meet had been changed. A timely tip off that the Herefordshire and Clifton had been spotted in the Pudleston area meant we had a plan B.
Before leaving Michaelchurch we spotted a fox (see footage) in a field adjacent to the driveway to Michaelchurch Court. The hunt always cross this field and draw the woodland belonging to Michaelchurch Court. As we watched the fox found the remains of a sheep to eat and was joined by a crow, also keen to scavenge some breakfast.
Had the sheep died a natural death in the field surrounded by the rest of the flock? It certainly hadn't been killed by the fox, or any other fox; note that the ewes are completely unfazed by the fox trotting past them. Or had the sheep's body been dumped there with the intention of attracting foxes to the area, with the hunt due to meet in the area?
Either way leaving a dead sheep in a field and not removing its body is a biosecurity issue and against Defra regulations. Welsh Borders Sabs, who stayed to sab the Cotswold Vale Farmers/ South Herefordshire remnants (when the hunt finally showed up about 9.30am), found the remains of several more dead sheep in the course of the morning. A report will go into to Trading Standards.
More to follow on the second half of our morning at the Herefordshire and Clifton
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