Cat killed by hunt

[Silent Knight]

The huntsman has obviously cleaned the body and returned it. He repeatedly apologised. It was an accident. Sad though it is, The owners were given more respect than most who have their cat run over and left in the gutter.
Taking pictures of the body says to me they probably want compensation.

However, I must say, the dog food bag was insensitive. A cardboard box and a sympathy card may have stopped the publicity.

Think on guys.

 

[AmyMay]

If the huntsman can't control his hounds, then he shouldn't be in the job. End of.

 

[fburton]

FBurton - your comment that "if it is acceptable for a fox then it is acceptable for a cat" makes me sick. Can you not see that this form of death is indeed not acceptable for any living animal. If it had been one of your pets that was savaged would you be saying, oh well its just like a fox so doesn't matter.
For anyone who finds hunting acceptable, you must also be able to admit that you find the death of a cat/dog/horse by a pack of dogs acceptable. If you find this story disturbing, you should not be supporting the hunt!

Who says I support hunting with hounds (or not)? My statement is a perfectly logical one, but perhaps I should have emphasized the word "if". Please read what I wrote again with that in mind.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Who's to say they wouldn't rip a child to bits if it 'panicked' and ran? I know cats more closely resemble foxes, but the idea is the same.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/5926593719/

I believe what's happening here is a prelude to a mass murder!!

Seriously, I'm not even pro hunting but that's got to be one of the silliest things I have ever heard said and I've been here a whiiiiile.

Cats have a chase instinct that works pretty similar too, does it mean because a cat will chase a bird that tomorrow its donning it's zorro mask and going next door to murder the kids? Nope, same thing with hounds.

 

[Wagtail]

Who says I support hunting with hounds (or not)? My statement is a perfectly logical one, but perhaps I should have emphasized the word "if". Please read what I wrote again with that in mind.

Indeed, your statement could be ead as being 'anti hunting' too. I had thought that when I first read it, but decided to take it at face value.

The way I first read it was 'all of you who are pro hunting view the fox's death as a relatively fast and pain free one, so why should it be different for a cat?'

Or it could be read (as it was by most) 'We all agree that foxes are killed quickly and relatively painlessly, so why should it be different for a cat?'

As this board is (mainly) pro hunting, I think much of the outrage on this thread has been about the insensitive way it was handled.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Yes it was an accident but that doesn't make it acceptable.
Returning the body in a dog food bag says everything anyone needs to know about the attitude of hunts to the general public.
As someone who hunted for many years I find the attitude of the hunts I've encountered recently leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[AmyMay]

Yes it was an accident but that doesn't make it acceptable.
Returning the body in a dog food bag says everything anyone needs to know about the attitude of hunts to the general public.
As someone who hunted for many years I find the attitude of the hunts I've encountered recently leaves a lot to be desired.

Thanks for putting to words what I was unable to.....

I completely agree.

 

[Wobblywibble]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/5926593719/

I believe what's happening here is a prelude to a mass murder!!

Seriously, I'm not even pro hunting but that's got to be one of the silliest things I have ever heard said and I've been here a whiiiiile.

Cats have a chase instinct that works pretty similar too, does it mean because a cat will chase a bird that tomorrow its donning it's zorro mask and going next door to murder the kids? Nope, same thing with hounds.

Where's the "like" button!!

 

[fburton]

Where's the "like" button!!

Right next to the "dislike" button (at least it is on my keyboard).

 

[HarlequinSeren]

Yes it was an accident, but the huntsmen should have complete control over the hounds. Personally I would never take my two dogs out off the lead if I didn't think they would listen when I called them back if they started to chase something. With a large pack of hounds it's even more important that there is full control as there's a lot more dogs to be keeping an eye on, and a lot more potential for things to go wrong fast, as obviously happened in this instance.

It doesn't say whether the couple were warned that the hunt would be passing through that day, and I know round where I am a lot of the time there's no warning at all. My property backs onto land which the hunt sometimes crosses, and the hounds sometimes come through the hedges even though they're not allowed as it upsets my animals, but I get no warning as to when it may happen and the huntsmen don't always seem very adept at calling them back particularly quickly. Sometimes it isn't even the local meet, it can be one that starts several miles away. I know some hunts are respectful of people's property and warn people when they will be coming but not all do. Some seem to think they own the countryside and can come and go as and when they please with little regard for those around them. Note I said some there, not all

This isn't the first instance where a pet has been killed by a hunt, and I doubt it will be the last. What is really wrong with this case though is the insensitive way it was handled. Yes, as some have already said the cat's owners were lucky to get the body back at all, but to return it in a dog food bag is incredibly rude and inappropriate. They had the cats body for two days, the least they could have done was find something more suitable to return it in - a cardboard box or a towel would have been better.

To those who say it was a quick and relatively painless death, and so ok, it is most definitely not the death I would ever choose for any of my animals. Imagine the poor cat's terror in its final moments as it was running from a pack of big dogs? And who's to say it died quickly anyway? Once the huntsman had taken it from the hound it may not have been dead but died later from internal injuries.

Let's have a look at perspective here. Say a normal group of people were out with a large pack of dogs they couldn't completely control, walking around the countryside, and they happened across someone's cat and the dogs killed it. If someone posted that story on this forum there would be a lot of angry responses saying how they should be able to control their dogs if they're letting them off the lead etc. I know a lot of the posts on this thread are upset about what happened in the real life situation, but those who think its just an accident and one of those things that just "happens" but is regrettable, would you think the same in the scenario I just mentioned?

For the record I'm not anti, I just think control is soo important with any animal, especially dogs. There should have been a high enough level of control here that this situation never occurred.

HS x

 

[HarlequinSeren]

Sorry for the ginormous post lol x

 

[pelena]

Had the cat bolted across the road, in-front of a car, as they do, would that most dreadful of rags, The Mail, have made a dog's dinner of it? Of course they wouldn't.

Another point, I'm surprised to see the cat in one piece. I'd have expected the hounds to have broken it up, and there would have been very little evidence.

Assuming that the poor moggy was in fact, killed by hounds, it was an accident, and one which could hardly have been prevented.

Alec.

Look, I hunt. And I sure I don't buy the Daily Hate Mail's "callous huntsmen" attitude and anything published in there should be taken with a large pinch of salt. But I am also a cat owner- and if mine was savaged by hounds ON MY LAND (if this is indeed true) I would be bloody furious. It is hardly the same as a cat being run over buy a car, on a public road. I would be equally furious if someone's dog savaged it on my property (it being the law that dogs should be under control).

Hunting, like it or not, is something we do by choice, and it is not something everybody agrees with- and they have a right to disagree with it. It is not a necessity, like driving, but a sport. So it is not ok if someone's pet gets killed on their own land. Perhaps the huntsman should have been in better control of the hounds or at least they should warn people if they are about to pass on their land.

also, the choice of the dog food bag (cannot help but see the irony....) is unfortunate...

 

[Hollyberry]

This is the second incident in a week where the hunt have been shown in what has come to be their true colours. I firmly believe that Hunting should be stopped in all shapes and forms apart from Drag Hunting where you know exactly where you will be riding as you have a trail. Hunts are supposed to be doing the same as drag hunting but they are not, the hunt in my neck of the woods often canter past my field which is on a tarmac, winding lane which is used by all sorts of traffic and you can't tell me they are following a line. They go all over the place and cause a lot of upset to local residents. Hunting in the shires on private land is the only place they should be allowed to hunt, we are too urbanised now, even in some of the country areas, for this to be allowed to continue. This is why these sad events happen, utter madness and if these same people were on motorbikes they would certainly be stopped as yobs ruining the countryside and being a menace to other people. It is no fun finding a field of 20-30 riders cantering up behind you when out hacking and totally ignoring the fact that they are causing a potentially dangerous situation, and this has happened not only to me on 3 occasions but to friends as well.

 

[Snipe]

This is the second incident in a week where the hunt have been shown in what has come to be their true colours. I firmly believe that Hunting should be stopped in all shapes and forms apart from Drag Hunting where you know exactly where you will be riding as you have a trail. Hunts are supposed to be doing the same as drag hunting but they are not, the hunt in my neck of the woods often canter past my field which is on a tarmac, winding lane which is used by all sorts of traffic and you can't tell me they are following a line. They go all over the place and cause a lot of upset to local residents. Hunting in the shires on private land is the only place they should be allowed to hunt, we are too urbanised now, even in some of the country areas, for this to be allowed to continue. This is why these sad events happen, utter madness and if these same people were on motorbikes they would certainly be stopped as yobs ruining the countryside and being a menace to other people. It is no fun finding a field of 20-30 riders cantering up behind you when out hacking and totally ignoring the fact that they are causing a potentially dangerous situation, and this has happened not only to me on 3 occasions but to friends as well.

This hunt was following a trail...

 

[Alec Swan]

....... But I am also a cat owner- and if mine was savaged by hounds ON MY LAND (if this is indeed true) I would be bloody furious. It is hardly the same as a cat being run over buy a car, on a public road. .........

The similarities, in the two points above, are that they would be both be regrettable accidents. No cat owner who allows their cat to have a degree of out-doors freedom, has any control over its movements, and in that they run the risk of it crossing a road, in front of a car, or suddenly appearing before hounds.

Another point for those who have beloved moggies, most will catch birds, and many of those birds would be protected by law. We have a cat, and it was wished on us. My OH seems rather attached to it, but I'm not, and from what I can make of it, the feelings mutual! Anyway, I accept that my cat is a liability, from the local wild bird population, point of view, I also accept that it may cross the road, in front of a car, AND that it may suddenly appear before hounds.

Cats have to take their chances, in my view. Perhaps that's why fable has it, that they have been dished out with 9 lives.

Alec.

 

[Alec Swan]

.......
also, the choice of the dog food bag (cannot help but see the irony....) is unfortunate...

I'll admit that I missed that point! Very funny!

Alec.

 

[Mare Stare]

The similarities, in the two points above, are that they would be both be regrettable accidents. No cat owner who allows their cat to have a degree of out-doors freedom, has any control over its movements, and in that they run the risk of it crossing a road, in front of a car, or suddenly appearing before hounds.

Cats have to take their chances, in my view. Perhaps that's why fable has it, that they have been dished out with 9 lives.

Alec.

As a cat lover I agree entirely.

My whole thoughts on this story are that ***** happens.

The cat's demise could have been dealt with a little more sensitively though. The dog food bag thing made me chuckle though

 

[Marydoll]

As a cat lover I agree entirely.

My whole thoughts on this story are that ***** happens.

The cat's demise could have been dealt with a little more sensitively though. The dog food bag thing made me chuckle though

I disagree with this statement, if a pack out hunting, were to attack your horse in your field, or your dog if you were out walking, would you still feel the same way about it ?
"Aw its a shame but s*** happens" im pretty sure wouldnt be acceptable to you.

 

[millitiger]

One thing- are they sure that a chase ensued or did the hounds just 'happen' across the cat?

Quite different things imo.

My dog has caught a few cats by simply tripping over them in a verge or hedge where the cat in hiding silently- I can call him back from chasing anything but it is very hard to stop that automatic/split second 'grab' when something jumps up right in front of him.

(thankfully my dog has no interest in killing things and simply holds them down until I get there to retrieve whatever it is).

 

[eatmoremincepies]

A regrettable accident, not very well handled by the hunt . . at least they took the cat away and cleaned it up, but a visit by a master with a sincere apology and a goodwill gift would surely have been courtesy. Plus would probably have taken the sting out of the story.

 

[noblesteed]

I know for a fact the hunt in question are a very careful, well-organised hunt and were hunting a trail. It is very sad, and unfortunate the poor cat was killed. My house backs onto a very busy cycle/bridleway and our cats are REGULARLY chased by dogs whose owners have let them off the lead. The dogs will even run into our back garden given a chance! Thankfully our cats are wise to this and have plenty of escape routes. But I do worry what will happen to them when they get old... They will probably need to be kept inside.
But dogs are dogs, and many dogs could have attacked this poor little cat, not just hunt hounds. It is just typical of the Daily Bogpaper to publish this sort of stuff. I mean, who in their right mind would allow a photographer to photograph their dead pet laid on a table! Not me that's for certain, give the poor little mite some dignity! Of course I am sure the cat's owners were VERY well compensated by the Daily Mail for all of this trauma.
It was already reported in our local press, so why get the Daily garbage involved? Oh yes, £££££££££££££££££

 

[pelena]

Alec- fair point (Though my cats are so rubbish that they won't catch anything that isn't pre-cooked). Poor moggy though

 

[scarymare]

How dreadful for all concerned.

Any hunt which cannot control its hounds should be disbanded. I'm neither a pro nor an anti but if my cat got killed by a hunt I would be shouting about it from the rafters after probably punching the man who delivered it. I would then expect a prosecution for cruelty and I would want my day in court.

What can I say, I love my cats.

 

[SplashofSoy]

How dreadful for all concerned.

Any hunt which cannot control its hounds should be disbanded. I'm neither a pro nor an anti but if my cat got killed by a hunt I would be shouting about it from the rafters after probably punching the man who delivered it. I would then expect a prosecution for cruelty and I would want my day in court.

What can I say, I love my cats.

I would like to see someone who has a terrier or hunting breed type dog call them off when they clock a cat whic takes flight 2 yards in front of them which sounds like what happened here. Same would apply to a pack of hounds. They are not robots with an off switch which acts instantly. This was an 18 year old moggy not a fit young cat and was probably caught and killed in a split second before action could be taken.

 

[Marydoll]

I would like to see someone who has a terrier or hunting breed type dog call them off when they clock a cat whic takes flight 2 yards in front of them which sounds like what happened here. Same would apply to a pack of hounds. They are not robots with an off switch which acts instantly. This was an 18 year old moggy not a fit young cat and was probably caught and killed in a split second before action could be taken.

I agree to a certain extent, yes it would be very difficult, but if you plan to hunt with dogs where other animals may be around, is it acceptable that anyone elses pets or animals they come across before they can be brought under control are expendable if caught ? Personally Thats not acceptable to me.

 

[Luci07]

THEY OWE IT TO ALL OWNERS OF LAND THEY GO THROUGH TO WARN THEM OR TELL THEY COMING THROUGH SO OWNERS CAN GET THERI PETS SAFETLY INDOORS PERIOD.

They had, it was a drag hunt, and people had been told.

Horrific end for a much loved pet but really, to go overboard that the hunt returned the cat in a dog food bag? yes it was tactless but the hunt owned up, cleaned up the pet and returned it. As for calling off the dogs - can only guess that they did or, to be really unpleasant, there really would not have much left of said cat. If anything you could blame the huntsman for not being quick enough - if anyone could at that time.

My sisters elderly cat, was not allowed out solo at the end of her life as she was no longer fleet of foot. I also have to say that my - pet - dogs would most definately chase a cat and I would not like to think what they would do if they could catch it.

And just to throw something else back in the fray... close friend lost her extremely loved, brilliant character cat... to a dog fox which she unfortunately witnessed. And that was not quick or painless.

Daily Mail is an awful paper that seems to have forgotten how to report stories clearly, therefore I would take anything I read in it with an extremely large pinch of salt..

 

[SplashofSoy]

Marydoll, I didn't say it was acceptable, it was a dreadful accident but not the despicable deliberate criminal act some people on this thread have made it out to be

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I would like to see someone who has a terrier or hunting breed type dog call them off when they clock a cat whic takes flight 2 yards in front of them which sounds like what happened here. Same would apply to a pack of hounds. They are not robots with an off switch which acts instantly. This was an 18 year old moggy not a fit young cat and was probably caught and killed in a split second before action could be taken.

Come and watch my two terriers. I can and have called them off a rabbit just before they were about to kill. Its called training.
I do wonder about the skills of some hunt staff these days, some seem a little amateurish.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I am neither pro or anti hunting but I have heard of this happening with other hunts. My brother-in-law witnessed a pet cat being torn to shreds by hunt dogs. It happened on private property and the hounds were obviously not under control. The incident was also witnessed by the young children who owned the cat. The hunts response...."never mind its only a cat"!!

Same here, I am not bothered as such by hunting but this bothers me. The thought of this makes me feel so sick, I would be just devastated. This story of the local incident you mention is awful, to turn around and say it is only a cat, well that makes me furious!

Poor old cat, what a terribly way to go, it was not just a cat by any means

 

[Marydoll]

Marydoll, I didn't say it was acceptable, it was a dreadful accident but not the despicable deliberate criminal act some people on this thread have made it out to be

I know you didnt say it was acceptable, i just posed a question, i dont mind drag hunts, and also have no problem of a fox is flushed, then shot. Ive seen and dealt with the aftermath of a fox in a friends hen house, it dessimated them and 2 of her geese, while i was looking after them. If id got that fox id have shot it myself
I dont think anyones pet should be an acceptable casualty to allow hunting with a pack of dogs, to me its to great a price.
I also agree accidents happen, but what is being done to minimise or prevent it happening ?