A PACK of hunt hounds are alleged to have run riot in fields belonging to an animal sanctuary.

Staff at the Farm Animal Sanctuary, in the Littletons just outside Evesham, said that around 30 hounds belonging to the North Cotswold Hunt entered their premises last Monday (February 28).

Owner of the sanctuary, Jan Taylor, said the dogs ran through a field containing recently-rescued pregnant ewes and then a field with two elderly horses, one of which was recovering from a recent surgery.

The pack continued into a neighbouring field with ewes and young lambs, which “panicked and scattered”.

Ms Taylor added: “One of our staff members witnessed the sheep running and went to investigate.

“Most of the hounds had disappeared by this time except for one, who had tried to jump the fence adjacent to a public footpath. His hind leg was caught in the fence, he was hanging upside down.

“The staff member went to help him but in his panic he went for her, ripping her coat and causing a wound on her hand.”

She added: “The whole incident was chaotic, the hounds were completely out of control.

“We called our vet to come out to check the vulnerable animals just to be on the safe side.

“Hunts are always quick to say that their hounds are always under close control. Rubbish!”

The Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs were informed about the incident but were unable to attend.

A spokesperson said: “We got a message to say they were running riot, it doesn’t surprise me at all.

“We weren’t out so I guess they thought they could get away with it.”

North Cotswold Hunt were unavailable for comment.