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Fox 'killed in hunt on school grounds'

PA The legs of a white horse being ridden - you can see a pair of black shoes in the stirrups and someone's black trousers. There are about 10 hunting hounds walking next to the horse.PA
Fox hunting was made illegal 20 years ago in the UK

Police are investigating claims that a fox was killed on school grounds by a hunt.

Witnesses described seeing a fox being chased across a sports field at Stowe School, in Buckinghamshire, on Tuesday afternoon, while pupils were in lessons.

It was then allegedly killed by hounds in one of the boarding school's outbuildings. The school has been contacted for comment.

Grafton Hunt held a meet in the local area and honorary secretary, Philippa White, told the BBC: "One hears rumours all the time; I am not going to tell the press if I do know anything."

Thames Valley Police said it received a report that a "fox was found dead in the grounds".

Steve Daniels/Geograph Stowe School with the grass field in front. It is an imposing neoclassical building with pillars at the front entrance.Steve Daniels/Geograph
The fox was allegedly chased across the school's sports field before being killed inside an outbuilding

A spokesperson for the force said: "Our Buckingham Neighbourhood along with the rural crime task force team have received a report whereby a fox was found dead in the grounds of Stowe School."

They added: "We are actively investigating and working with the school to secure evidence, but this is not believed to have involved the school, other than having come onto their grounds."

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