If you run into a hunt, you might wonder if you should call the police or not. We all know that hunts are breaking the law on a regular basis and they claim they aren’t. They claim they are hunting “within the law”. This guide is for anyone who thinks they have seen illegal hunting and know they should call the police, but are unsure how or what to report.
If you are not sure what you have seen and would like some advice, please fill in the contact form below. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

How do I recognise illegal foxhunting?

We believe that most hunts go out with the intention of chasing and killing wildlife.
Chasing a wild mammal with a dog (even one dog) is illegal. These are the things to look out for:

• Riders. People wearing red, green or tweed jackets, on horses.
• Foxhounds. A pack of up to 30 dogs. 
• Quad bikes with riders. These are terrier men and inside the boxes are terriers. They dig out hunted foxes that have hidden in a badger sett or earth.
• Hunt followers. These are people are part of the hunt. They usually drive 4x4s and park up to look over hedges and gates in order to see the fox fleeing. They will be pointing out the fox to the hunters.
• You might come across blocked badger setts. Interfering with a badger sett is also illegal. Terrier men block up badger setts in advance of a hunt, in order to stop foxes from hiding in them. If a fox does enter a badger sett, the terrier men dig the fox out.

The crime IN PROGRESS

You will hear: horn calls and the fox hounds yelping excitedly;

You might see: foxhounds running; horses and riders moving at speed; quad bikes speeding along; hunt followers shouting and pointing.

IF YOU SEE A FOX ANYWHERE AMONGST THIS,

THIS FOX IS BEING ILLEGALLY HUNTED.

Click here to see it happening

HOW DO I REPORT IT?

Do not put yourself in harm’s way. If you are in a vehicle, lock all your doors as soon as you see the hunt. Retire to a safe place before reporting the crime. If it is safe, take video and photos of what’s happening. Make an immediate note of the location – what3words is useful – and the time. Make a note of number plates, if you can. 

If the crime is in progress, call the police on 999. You DO NOT have to give your name. Make sure you tell the call handler that you have seen a fox.

You can also alert the Hunt Saboteurs Association, by texting their hotline number 07443148426

If you want to report it later, you can do it online or by calling 101. You will need to give the time and the location, so make sure you know these.

You can also use Crimestopers to report – 0800 555 111. This is always anonymous. 

Other Hunt crimes to report

Also look out for “cub hunting”

In late summer and autumn, the hunts go out early morning or late evening to kill fox cubs. Riders usually surround a wood and send the hounds in to kill the cubs. This is also illegal.

It is illegal to park on a grass verge in a country lane

Quadbikes – there are rules concerning their use. Too many riders, mud on number plates, children aboard. See below for further details.

It is illegal to obstruct the highway.

It is illegal for a rider to take a horse on a footpath.

What if I see quad bikes?

Here is some advice from Surrey Hunt Monitors