A former fox hunter turned volunteer for the Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs has recorded footage showing a fox being chased by a hunt hound during a trail hunt in the Cotswold village of Icomb, near Stow-on-the-Wold. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, December 16, has raised alarms about possible illegal fox hunting, which has been banned in the UK for over 20 years.
The hunt was reportedly called off after saboteur Lynn Sawyer confronted the participants. Sawyer, who filmed the event, stated, “Fox hunts claim to be following trails, but what I witnessed was a fox being pursued by a hunt hound into thick brambles. They only stopped when they noticed my presence, but it clearly resembled the cruel practice of fox hunting.”
Gloucestershire Constabulary has been notified of the incident. The hunt organizers have been approached for comment but have yet to respond.
Emily Lawrence, campaigns manager at the League Against Cruel Sports, praised Sawyer’s bravery and expressed concern that such activities persist despite the ban. “This footage shows the fox managed to escape this time, but it highlights ongoing illegal hunting disguised as trail hunting. The government is rightly consulting on banning trail hunting early next year, and we encourage the public to engage in this process,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence also advocated for stronger legislation, urging the removal of loopholes in the Hunting Act and the introduction of jail sentences to deter law-breaking.
Recent data from the League Against Cruel Sports reveal Gloucestershire as the hotspot for fox chases since August, with 38 recorded pursuits—more than any other county in England and Wales. The figures also show 87 incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to hunts, including trespassing in private gardens, attacks on pets, and hounds running wild on local roads.
Campaigners further highlighted footage showing hounds running loose on village roads and the presence of terrier men—handlers historically used to flush out foxes underground before the hunting ban.
Chief Superintendent Matt Longman, national lead on fox hunting crime, has described trail hunting as a “smokescreen for illegal fox hunting,” underscoring ongoing concerns over enforcement and compliance.