HARROWING REPORT FROM PROTECT THE WILD ON FOXHOUND CRUELTY

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Used, Abused, Incinerated – The Disposable Lives of Hunting Hounds These dogs are not seen as companions or working partners, but as expendable commodities—cast aside when they’re no longer of use. CHARLOTTE SMITH APR 7 READ IN APP Protect the Wild has obtained harrowing footage, filmed by Wildlife Guardian, documenting the abuse of foxhounds at the Dwyrd hunt. The footage reveals serious animal welfare violations, including the horrifying moment a foxhound is violently dragged away to be shot and then incinerated. This disturbing evidence sparked further undercover investigations, culminating in 2021 with the largest-ever joint raid by North Wales Police and the RSPCA—a case extensively reported by Rupert Evelyn and ITV. As a result of the raid, all hounds were seized and successfully rehomed by the RSPCA, effectively shutting down the hunt. This case not only highlights the urgent need to expose the cruelty inflicted on foxhounds, but also powerfully disproves the hunts’ longstanding claim that these animals cannot be rehomed. The Scruffing of a hound being led to their death At the start of the footage, a foxhound is seen eagerly jumping at the gate—likely seeking affection or attention from hunt staff. This moment of innocent trust makes what follows even more distressing. The hound is then aggressively scruffed—a practice that causes both pain and fear. It is widely accepted that adult dogs, including working breeds, should never be handled in this way. Scruffing forces the dog’s weight onto the skin and underlying tissue, which are not designed to bear it. In this case, the hound is lifted so forcefully that their front legs leave the ground, swinging in the air. The intensity of the motion reveals how roughly this animal was handled in what would turn out to be their final moments. This level of rough treatment likely caused significant emotional and physical suffering. The hunt staff made no effort to reduce this distress—inflicting cruelty in a moment that should have been handled with dignity and care. Veterinary professionals consulted by Protect the Wild have raised serious concerns, including: Unnecessary and excessive use of force Exposure to fear and psychological distress Likely exposure to physical pain Inadequate staffing during euthanasia—humane shooting of a large dog at close range requires at least two people to ensure proper restraint The method used in the shed also raises ethical questions. The person preparing the firearm would have required both hands free, meaning no one was appropriately restraining the hound—yet another failure in basic animal welfare standards. Hound bodies carried past other live hounds, then burned. The abuse did not end with the individual hound. The footage also documents how, after being killed, dead hounds were carried in full view of the surviving pack. This shows a complete disregard for the emotional needs of the other animals. Foxhounds, like all dogs, form strong social bonds—and exposing them to the bodies of their dead companions could cause psychological trauma. Later, the footage shows multiple foxhounds being killed, their bodies then burned on-site. This cruelty is not an isolated incident. It is part of a wider, deeply concerning pattern of systemic neglect—where foxhounds are treated as disposable tools rather than sentient beings. The Forgotten Victims of Hunting Protect the Wild’s ongoing research has consistently highlighted this shocking and persistent neglect. Since August 10th 2024, over 500 foxhound welfare incidents have already been recorded. That number is expected to grow as we uncover more historical cases and publish additional reports. Between 2022 and 2025, we estimate that over 1,500 cases of foxhound welfare concerns—reported by anti-hunt monitors, members of the public, and local media—will be documented across the UK. While many of these incidents occur in public view, this latest footage offers a chilling glimpse into what happens behind closed doors. It underscores the physical violence and emotional neglect foxhounds endure, exposing the reality that many hunts try to keep hidden. These dogs are not seen as companions or working partners, but as expendable commodities—cast aside when they’re no longer of use. This is cruelty, plain and simple. No dog deserves such treatment. There Is Another Way Foxhounds deserve to live peaceful, safe lives once their ‘working’ years are over. This case proves that rehoming is possible—and effective. It’s time for the hunting community to take responsibility for the animals it exploits and to offer them the chance to live out their lives free from fear and suffering. You can find out more about hound welfare and our calls to rehome the hounds here. Support Wildlife Guardian! Wildlife Guardian investigates and reports on wildlife cruelty committed in the name of sport, and aims to bring hunts to justice. They’re a brilliant team of highly skilled individuals and we’re proud to work alongside them to shine a light on those intent on killing wildlife for kicks. Donate to Wildlife Guardian Want to help Protect the Wild fund more investigations? Let me be brutally honest — the first few months of this year have been the toughest we've ever faced at Protect the Wild. Financially, it's been a real struggle. As an organisation that runs entirely on small donations, we've always pushed ourselves to grow and make an impact, but right now we're having to make hard choices. Our Equipment Fund, which usually supports sabs, monitors, and wildlife defenders, is currently being used solely to fund vital undercover investigations — and that means we can’t support those on the ground in the same way we want to. That’s why we’re launching Project Investigation, a fundraising drive to raise £2,500 a month so we can run investigations without compromising our frontline support. We’re asking 500 people to donate just £5 a month — enough to fund consistent, fearless, high-impact work that exposes cruelty and forces change. You’ve seen what our covert work can do: our Beaufort and VWH Hunt investigations shattered the trail hunting myth, our badger cull footage aired on the BBC and challenged government policy, and our exposés on raptor persecution are helping take down the shooting industry. What we’re working on now could change everything — but only if we have the resources to keep going. Please, if you believe in what we do, be one of the 500 and help fuel this fight. We’re currently on 106 donors! 20% of the way there! :) Join Project Investigation SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing