Foxhound pack ‘caused mayhem on quiet lane’
APACK of foxhounds caused mayhem in a quiet street during a hunt meeting, according to furious residents.
Cheshire police are now investigating allegations that the animals were chasing a fox - which was found dead in a back garden.
Residents told of “pandemonium” when the pack of dogs came hurtling across a field and into Penningtons Lane, Macclesfield.
Edwina Church, 47, said her husband Kevin saw dogs which appeared to be chasing a fox which he then saw killed.
She said: “It was horrific. Pandemonium broke out.
“There was a stream of dogs running through our garden into next door.
“We had 15 of them jumping around in our garden.
“The dogs were frantic.”
Mrs Church’s 82-yearold mother, who has chronic heart failure, saw it unfold and was said to be “traumatised”.
Her daughter continued: “A lot of people on this road are elderly. They were frightened to come out. The dogs were frantic. I’m an animal-lover and I was shaken. It was heartbreaking.”
Cheshire Police said on Facebook they are working with the RSPCA and specialist officers to investigate.
They said: “We are aware of concerns around hunt activity in the Macclesfield area yesterday. We are investigating this matter and working with specialist officers and the RSPCA.”
Penningtons Lane residents say they heard a “screaming” pack of dogs belonging to Cheshire Forest Hunt run through nearby fields where pregnant cows were grazing at around 12.45pm.
Two quad bikes then came “flying down the lane” said resident Julie Clark, 47.
Mrs Church claims one of the hunt members got off her bike and retrieved the dead fox from the garden.
Other members of the hunt then arrived together with the police.
Ms Clark said:“The dogs were huge. God knows how someone didn’t get hurt. It was dreadful.”
Farmer Andrew Kidd has pregnant heffers in a field through which the dogs rampaged. Mr Kidd said Cheshire Forest Hunt Huntsmaster Richard Garton phoned him to apologise for the incident.
The huntsmaster “apologised 100 per cent”, said Mr Kidd.
Macclesfield Councillor Beverley Dooley, who owns some of the land which the hunters crossed over, said permission had not been given to use the land.
She said: “Penningtons Lane is used by people walking dogs, by children on bikes. There were no children playing in the gardens when it happened.
“We’re all shocked at the blatant disregard for other people and their property – their land, their animals.”
Macclesfield MP David Rutley said he has contacted the Cheshire Forest Hunt to establish how the events occurred.
The Express has tried to contact Cheshire Forest Hunt for a comment.
Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 395 of February 25.