Cyclist injured, dogs killed in road accident

A cyclist was injured and a number of hunting dogs died or had to be put down following a road traffic collision near Ashwell on Monday.

A Leicestershire police spokesman said officers were called to the scene on Whissendine Road just after 8am.

“The incident involved a car, a cyclist and a number of working dogs,” said the spokesman.

“The cyclist suffered minor injuries and was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment.

“The driver of the vehicle was not injured.”

The spokesman said five dogs were killed in the collision while a further five had to be put down by a vet.

The road was closed temporarily while emergency services attended the scene.

Andrew Osborne, a spokesman for The Cottesmore Hunt, confirmed the dogs belonged to them.

He said the cyclist was an employee of the hunt.

“Police and a vet were on the scene and the dogs were put down,” he said.

The North Cambs Hunt Saboteurs, a group opposed to hunting, said it had received several calls regarding the incident.

“Eyewitnesses said some of the dogs were thrown over a hedge during the distressing incident and others were shot at the scene,” said the group in a statement.

“Obviously, there have been a number of hounds killed on roads over the years – we will be watching our hunts very carefully next season.”

The group appealed to anyone who came across hounds on the road to get in contact with them.

“If – as hunts claim – they are following trails and hunting within the law, there will be no need for hounds to be on the road during any hunt – so, if you see hounds running across a road, film them – it is evidence of illegal (or at best irresponsible) hunting.

“If anybody has any further details on the above incident – or any hunting-related incident, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.”