DRONE footage showing ‘chilling scenes’ from an alleged illegal fox hunt by members of the former Taunton Vale Harriers is being investigated by police.

The film was shot last week near Bridgwater by members of Somerset Hunt Saboteurs (SHS) who routinely try to disrupt hunt meets.

Taunton Vale Harriers recently merged with the Weston and Banwell Harriers, which previously also incorporated the West Somerset Vale Harriers.

The amalgamated hunt met on Wednesday (December 3) in Chilton Trinity for an afternoon trail hunt, which is a legal activity, and were followed by a number of saboteurs.

A licensed drone operator filmed the activities, which the saboteurs said showed a dismounted huntsman ‘actively pursuing the fox on foot, alongside his hounds’ and a ‘terrier man’, with a master on horseback watching from the other side of a ditch.

A spokeswoman for the saboteurs said the footage showed a huntsman controlling the hounds and repeatedly encouraging them to go into a scrub area and taking them to a point in a hedge where the fox had crossed.

The spokeswoman said the saboteurs also filmed using a handheld camera, catching the sound of hounds ‘in cry’ and hunt staff ‘hollering and encouraging the hounds’.

She said: “We remain hopeful that the fox escaped, as the hounds continued searching for nearly an hour before the hunt finally left the area, looking dejected.”

However, the saboteurs felt unable to intervene in the hunt due to ‘safety concerns’.

The spokeswoman said: “In the footage, the fox can be seen escaping through a ditch, evading capture momentarily.

“Although the drone operator was unable to capture further footage of the fox’s escape, they report that the hunt continued for approximately another 50 minutes before eventually packing up for the day.

“It was deeply distressing to witness what appeared to be blatant hunting activity and to feel powerless to intervene due to having too few hunt saboteurs present.

“We maintained a safe distance and focused on gathering clear evidence, which we hope will once again support a successful prosecution.”

A Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesperson said: “This is blatant footage of illegal hunting, no attempt to follow a trail.

“For 20 years, since the Hunting Act, we have been told by hunting’s ‘governing body’ that these scenes are a falsehood, and they expect us to believe the lie of trail hunting.

“However, again and again camera footage shows the grim reality of fox hunting.

“This footage serves as a stark reminder of why many believe a change in the law is urgently needed to ensure the humane treatment of animals and to close any loopholes that allow for the pursuit and killing of wildlife in the name of sport.

“This incident comes at a time when the Government is preparing a public consultation on the future of hunting practices.

“The ongoing debate highlights the need for reform to the Hunting Act 2004, which continues to allow hunting through a series of loopholes.”

The SHS spokesperson said the incident appeared similar to another which occurred last year which resulted in a huntsman being found guilty of hunting a wild mammal.

She said: “With the strength of this latest footage, Avon and Somerset Police should have what they need to pursue further action.

“We also hope it contributes to wider efforts to push the Government toward finally ending hunting with hounds.

“I felt physically sick listening to the drone controller’s running commentary as to what was unfolding in an area we could not get to, and it was absolutely heart wrenching to see the extent of blood lust in the footage.

“It is time the Government put an end to this barbaric outdated ‘tradition’.”

The Wellington Weekly approached the hunt for comment but it was unable to do so before this article was published.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s rural policing team was also contacted but had not yet been able to respond.