Trail hunting is a lie. The Hunting Act is failing. It’s time to hold hunts—and the government—to account. Tell your MP enough is enough.
Protect the Wild has received powerful footage that confirms what we’ve all known for far too long: the Hunting Act 2004 is not fit for purpose. The lie of “trail hunting” continues to unravel—because behind that smokescreen, real animals are being hunted, terrorised, and killed.
On November 16, 2024, Teesside Anti Blood Sports (TABS) captured devastating footage of a fox being chased by the Zetland Hunt during a meet at Piercebridge. This wasn’t hidden. This wasn’t accidental. The pursuit happened in plain sight—hunt masters, riders, and antis all watching as hounds tore across the landscape after a terrified fox.
Monitors leapt into action, screaming “Leave it!” in desperation. But the Zetland allowed the hounds to hunt on, trespassing onto private land where they had no permission to be. In footage seen by Protect the Wild, an elderly woman emerges—visibly distressed— she pleads with the hunt to leave her property. Her fear, her outrage—it says everything. This is not trail laying. This is real hunt havoc.
That fox survived. This time. But the trauma left behind—for the fox, for the activists, for the woman whose land was invaded—cannot be ignored any longer.
The 19-second clip, along with further evidence, was submitted to Durham Constabulary. After months of frustrating back-and-forth, the police concluded the footage didn’t even justify interviewing the hunt. No charges under the Hunting Act 2004. No Community Protection Notice for trespass. Nothing for the emotional harm inflicted. Nothing for the blatant, public chase.
“I was devastated,” said witness Liam Henderson.
“The fox was just seconds away from being caught. Despite the masters being right there, no one acted. I believed there was more than enough evidence to warrant legal action.”
But, it doesn’t stop there.
On December 7th 2024, Liam was out again with TABS, monitoring the Zetland Hunt at Frocett Barnes. Once again, he caught a fox being actively hunted. This time, the fox bolted from a covert directly in front of him. Hounds were in pursuit. Huntsman Jack could be seen encouraging them on. Liam tried to follow, but was blocked by a landowner. When he found the hounds again, they were circling a pile of logs—almost certainly where the fox had taken cover.
This is the truth:
- The Hunting Act 2004 is riddled with loopholes.
- Hunts exploit those loopholes with confidence.
- Authorities are either unable or unwilling to act.
- Wildlife is being chased, harassed, and killed.
- Landowners feel helpless and violated.
- Sabs and monitors are left to enforce a law that barely exists.
How many more times will foxes flee for their lives?
How many more members of the public must face down hunts on their own land?
How many more anti’s must risk themselves to fill the void left by a broken system?Enough. Is. Enough.
Liam continues to volunteer with North East Hunt Monitors because—right now—it’s ordinary people, not the police, who are standing between foxes and death.
“I truly believe that if we hadn’t been there on those days, both foxes would’ve been killed. Sabbing and monitoring hunts is one of the only thing keeping them in check—because the law is failing.”
This footage is more than shocking. It is evidence. It is proof. It is a wake-up call.
We must stop pretending the Hunting Act works. It doesn’t. And the government knows it. That’s why we’ve launched Hunt Havoc Info—a new platform where people can document and report hunting-related harm: illegal hunting, trespass, violence, traffic chaos, out-of-control hounds. It’s fast, easy, and powerful.
The most important part? With one click, you can send this information directly to your MP with a clear message: Enough is enough. The government promised to protect wildlife. So why are they not committing parliamentary time for a proper ban on hunting?
If you’ve had enough of seeing foxes torn apart.
If you’ve had enough of lies, loopholes, and lawlessness.
If you’ve had enough of politicians turning their backs. Tell your MP. Share the footage. Use Hunt Havoc. Be the pressure they can’t ignore.
Because every day this goes on, another fox flees for their life. And some days, as we have seen many times, they don’t escape.
