Hunt Kennels – The Infectious Timebombs Waiting to Go Off

The Hunt Saboteurs Association has received leaked images and conversations from a closed Facebook group showing that there has been an outbreak of an unknown infectious disease across the Grove & Rufford hunt hounds.

On Saturday, 22nd March, a vet closely associated with the hunt reached out for advice from others in the hunting community after an outbreak of a ‘sudden onset respiratory disease’ had resulted in the death of five hounds and a prediction that there could be another 10-20 deaths in the next 24 hours as, at that point, over 50% of the pack of 70 were showing signs of infection. The poor dogs suffered horrendous symptoms starting with a worsening cough, progressing to blood pouring from nose and mouths, congested lungs, sky high temperatures and rapid heart rates.

The vet in question had received the results of a post-mortem on one of the dead hounds finding that their internal organs had turned black. This had prompted an alarmed call to the Animal & Plant Health Agency in case anthrax had been involved which thankfully was all clear. They had suggested that the hounds diet of ‘15% flesh, 85% pies’ where the flesh of fallen stock is not fit for human consumption or involved the consumption of rejected pork pies could have contributed to the situation.

At this point in the conversation, things took a disappointing but predictable direction with the vet suggesting that this could possibly be a ‘malicious poisoning from antis’ and supported by a number of participants. Utterly ridiculous, of course, but it reflects the mindset and utter desperation of the hunting sect. There was a suggestion later in the chat that this might be an outbreak of Streptococcus Zooepidemicus. Our own research referencing recognised governmental sources indicates this to be highly likely and to be able to conduct a ‘malicious poisoning’ of the pack with it would be virtually impossible.

Streptococcus Zooepidemicus is originally an equine bacterial infection manifesting as a severe respiratory disease. It has been known to be contracted by dogs (and even pigs) kept in close proximity to horses carrying the bacteria in the past but is now known to be just as likely – and potentially even more infectiously – to be contracted from other dogs who are carriers but displaying no symptoms. It is transmitted and contracted on the air from the respiratory tracts so will quickly spread where the animals are housed closely together. Isolated outbreaks were known about as far back as the 1970’s in greyhound kennels but are becoming much more widespread over recent years. It is noted how quickly outbreaks can occur within large groups of dogs kennelled together and how rapidly their condition can deteriorate. All of the symptoms noted in this case – even the dark coloured internal organs due to toxic shock haemoragging – align with the infection too.

Crucially, it’s been noted that outbreaks can be triggered by other factors such as a primary infection from other viruses and/or bacteria impacting on the host animal’s immune system. This effectively opens the door for the respiratory disease to take hold. Scientific tests have shown that deceased dogs have often been carrying a number of other infections at the time of death. One of which stood out – multiple strains of e-coli contracted from infected food sources. Given most packs are fed on fallen stock – or in the Grove & Rufford’s case, sub-standard pork pies – then this must be a risk factor. This was recognised as a potential source for infections by participants in the leaked group chats.

Interestingly, it’s been noted that stress may play a role in the lowering of dogs immunity – and specifically related to travel. When the average context and conditions of hunt packs are considered, such as routine contact with horses, poor quality food sources, frequent travel backed with veterinary care either of amateur or of dubious persuasion, then it is pretty obvious that this cruel infection poses significant risk in hunt kennels, and to the hounds therein, now and into the future. Worryingly, it has been reported that there is even a zoonotic risk arising with infections having been transmitted to humans.

If hunters truly cared about the animals in their care as they frequently trumpet then we should be seeing dynamic action – both pre-emptive or reactive – to address the situation but on this evidence, the response on the ground is sadly lacking. We may never know the volume of infectious outbreaks in kennels, or indeed, the number of hound deaths due to disease or neglect but it is clear, that hunt kennels are a fertile breeding ground for all manner of threats and could be described as ticking timebombs of infection for the resident animals, hunt staff, local communities and wildlife.

It should be noted that the Grove & Rufford are serial offenders on all manner of misdemeanours having been previously convicted of hunting act offences, exposed for maintaining artificial earths to hold & release foxes to be hunted, numerous violent attacks on hunt sabs and their hounds being killed when failing to control them on public highways.

Rowan Hughes from the Hunt Saboteurs Association said:

We are worried for the Grove & Rufford hounds and where this may have ended up. Given that the vet involved in responding to this incident openly supports the Hunt on social media and from the tone of conversations conducted in the chat group we are concerned that this could have delayed diagnosis and treatment for the poor hounds as the idea that animal lovers may have poisoned the hounds took attention away from seriously considering the symptoms, history and progression of the clinical signs. We are also worried that this is the tip of an iceberg. It’s clear from the leaked conversations that disease is an accepted result of cramped living conditions, poor diet and patchy welfare meaning that these Grove and Rufford Hunt hounds are far from alone in suffering horrendous infections. Given the animal suffering involved and the wider risks now arising, why has there been no public statements from the hunt in question or the BHSA on what is being done to address the clear threats to animal and human safety going forwards?”