Terrier Work - Fox Baiting

Nearly 40% of foxes that are killed by hunts are dug up by terriermen and killed - something the hunts don't want the public to witness as it totally destroys the fantasy of a 'quick kill'. Consider the time locating the fox, digging the hole and then dragging it out from the earth. Some terriermen who work for foxhunts have been sentenced for illegal badger baiting.

"Digging out is very often done in the twilght or by torchlight and is rarely carried out in accordance with the Master of Foxhounds Association guidelines, let alone in any humane way." J.N.P. Watson, former Master of Beagles

In November 2005 members of the public, including children, witnessed terrierwork by the Melbreak fox-hunt in Cumbria whilst enjoying a quiet walk. One witness wrote:

"My husband and I witnessed fell hunters sending terrier dogs down a hole and then saw one of the hunters literally digging a fox out, which took 15 minutes, throwing it alive towards a pack of hounds and being ripped apart by them. The hunters had every opportunity to kill the animal humanely, but it seemed to me that they were getting pleasure from the suffering inflicted on the fox.

“There were several walkers on the fell who witnessed this, some with children, the huntsmen did not care at all that we had witnessed such a distressing sight. I cannot begin to describe the effect this has had on me, I feel physically sick when I think about it, I have not been able to sleep through the night since and when I wake up it is the first thing that I think about.

“Given what we witnessed, fox hunting is clearly not a matter of pest control. Neither I nor my husband has ever been a member of or have any association with any anti-hunt organisation; we are just ordinary members of the public who get pleasure from walking in a beautiful part of our English countryside.”

Another witness commented, “One hunter whipped the hounds on several occasions to control them as the fox was dug up. We shouted at the hunt to stop but they took no notice of us. What the fox went through is anyone’s guess.”

"Widespread earth stopping by men who have no intention of unblocking at the end of the day leads to numerous stories about foxes shut in and starving to death." J.N.P. Watson, Former Master of Bealges

To see the full horror of terrierwork visit Digging Out and the League Against Cruel Sports website and view their video footage.