Protesters criticise force over its handling of hunt
Kent Police has been widely criticised over its handling of an alleged illegal hunt.
The North Downs Hunt Saboteurs posted graphic images and videos of a dead fox after a hunt earlier this month.
More than two weeks later, the saboteurs say nothing has been done by Kent or Surrey Police to prosecute, and has called on the wider public to show their disgust.
Hunting various mammals, including foxes, deer and hares with dogs, has been illegal since the Hunting Act 2004 came into force in February 2005.
However the organisation at the centre of the complaint has denied wrongdoing.
Mark Bycroft, of The Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt, said: “My understanding of the day is that we were out on a trail hunt with our pack.
“I’m aware they are making accusations that a hound killed a fox, but I’ve not seen any evidence of the hounds killing a fox.”
Lee Moon, spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, denies these claims.
He said: “The hunt terrier men had shouted to say a fox had been spotted. Hounds then went into cry and chased it for between five and 10 minutes.
“Hunt saboteurs arrived just as the hounds were ripping the fox apart, but were unable to save it.”
Although police confirmed the incident had been reported to them, the saboteur group says nothing has been done.
On its Facebook page, a spokes- man wrote: “We have made one very brief statement and given them a number of videos, but at no stage have the DI or DS contacted the witnesses or discussed the content of the videos with us.”
Hundreds have tweeted police since the saboteur group’s call on Friday.
A police spokesman said: “We were called at 3.33pm on Saturday, December 3 to a report that a fox had been killed by dogs in Oakenden Lane, Chiddingstone Hoath.
“Officers met with the informant and obtained further information. They have explored all lines of inquiry and would ask anyone who has further information to contact them.”