No criminal case to answer after death of hunt dogs

Police investigating how three dogs from a hunt came to be killed on a busy road have concluded there was no criminal wrongdoing.

The hounds - Muxloe, Topper and Shogun - died when they ran out in front of cars on the A43 near Hannington, Northamptonshire, on 19 February.

The county's rural crime team began an investigation to establish the circumstances which led to the incident, to identify if any criminal offences had been committed.

They found the hounds had run ahead after one rider fell off their horse, left the trail laid for them and ran straight into the path of oncoming vehicles and as such, there was no criminal case to answer.

Northamptonshire Police said: "Nine possible offences were considered against the evidence, which included interviews, witness statements and maps showing the path the hounds were supposed to be following, which did not run near to the A43.

"All of this information was presented to a police decision maker, who considered each element before concluding that no further action be taken as a result of the incident."

They had worked with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Crown Prosecution Service and the RSPCA to "explore all investigative avenues".

PC Chloe Gillies, of the rural crime team, said: "The deaths of these hounds were deeply distressing for all involved, from the motorists involved and those who saw the collisions happen, to the hunt staff in charge of the hounds that day as well as the emergency services who attended the incident.

"We were clear from the outset that the reasons for the collision would be investigated thoroughly and impartially.

"That investigation has now concluded with a decision that no charges will be brought, following detailed scrutiny of the evidence gathered."

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