Pet killed in hunt on private Bedfordshire land

Mabel Blades owns Pennworley Wood in Melchbourne where she has planted 4,000 trees.

She claims she has had problems in the past with various hunt groups trespassing on her land but says the incident on Saturday involving The Oakley Hunt, was the last straw.

She said: “It’s really upsetting and frightening to see a gang of people on horses searching around your land, and I’m devastated that they allowed their dogs to kill my rabbit.

“I do see some legal hunt groups in the area, but they know that the wood is private and it’s clearly signposted.

“We have had some issues before, but they began telling me when they would be in the area so I could take extra precautions.

“I don’t want to be forced to have confrontations with people, who can sometimes be quite nasty and scary over something that shouldn’t be an issue.

“It is private land, and it has been for over 20 years.

“I attempted to settle the matter and reminded them not to go into the wood during their hunts – but it never stops them. I think these people should respect the law and at least have the decency to apologise.

“I just want to keep the plants and animals in the area safe.”

A spokesman for The Oakley Hunt declined to comment.

> Traditional fox hunting with hounds was banned in the UK in 2005.