WALKERS were left shocked after allegedly seeing a fox chased by hunting hounds across Bodmin Moor recently.

The North Cornwall foxhounds reportedly chased the fox out of Forestry England woodland, across their public car park used by walked to visit Rough Tor, near Camelford, and into a disused china clay works that now serves as a South West Water reservoir.

A member of the public tried to stop the hounds and reported the incident to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Separately, Paul Tillsley, head of conservation and education at the League Against Cruel Sports, witnessed the hunt whilst climbing the tor with his wife.

He said: “It had been an idyllic winter’s day. The sun was shining and families were out walking on the moor with their children and their pet dogs. Some people had arrived early to see the spectacle of millions of starlings coming in to roost in the woods.

“Suddenly, the peace was shattered as a pack of about 30 hounds chased a terrified fox through the car park, with the huntsman and a handful of mounted followers in pursuit.

Paul has reported the incident to both Forestry England and South West Water.

South West Water regulations state all dogs are to be kept on a lead and under control and Forestry England only allow ‘trail’ hunting under a licence.

The hunt was also believed to be accompanied by two ‘terrier men’ on a quad bike.

The incident comes nearly 15 years after hunting with dogs was banned in England and Wales with the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004, which came into force on February 18, 2005.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were notified on Saturday, January 18 of an allegation of a crime against the Hunting Act taking place in the Camelford area.

“The neighbourhood team and local wildlife officer have been informed.”

When asked if they would like to make a comment, a spokesperson from the North Cornwall Foxhounds said: “We were trail hunting near Rough Tor on Saturday, January 18. Unfortunately half the pack deviated from the laid trail, and apparently ran into the Stannon Pit area. They were called off, as soon as possible. No one from the North Cornwall Hunt entered onto SWW (South West Water) land.”