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Dog killed and mutilated in its own garden by a pack of hunting dogs

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,390 ✭✭✭mojesius


    I read about this online. The poor dog and family, it must have been horrific for them. :(

    I emailed the club to express my outrage about the incident. I hope the club gets disbanded and it leads to stricter hunting regulations in general.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Before everyone goes off on one about the evils of hunting. the Bray Harriers are a drag pack and don't hunt live prey. This incident is extremely unusual. Hounds normally pass countless loose dogs without a problem. Doesn't excuse this incident but its far from normal.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    fits wrote: »
    Before everyone goes off on one about the evils of hunting. the Bray Harriers are a drag pack and don't hunt live prey. This incident is extremely unusual. Hounds normally pass countless loose dogs without a problem. Doesn't excuse this incident but its far from normal.

    In my view, the only thing that's relevant here is that this incident happened on somebody else's private land. Why they were there is irrelevant, if you trespass on private property you should be criminally prosecuted as a burglar would be. Hunting in the wild is one thing, but...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    The Brays follow a predetermined course over land with prior agreement from the landowners. I have no idea what happened here. Can only surmise the hounds were out of control.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,942 ✭✭✭wingnut


    Disgusted to hear about this. I am normally a restrained guy but if this happened my dog I don't think I would be responsible for my actions..

    Spotted a post on facebook from another guy who said this has happened before:
    The bray hunt tore my dog apart 20 yrs ago in ashford as well,and yesterday while out with my other dogs i spotted the hunt across the fields,and i had to leave the area incase of a repeat of what happened to my other dog 20 yrs ago,

    Bray hunt let my dog and my mother nearly 3 miles away from home with our dog in her arms dripping blood,hunt didnt give a ****e,hound ware on the main road and went and attacked my dog which was on a lead on the side of the road in croneroe area.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,772 ✭✭✭jameshayes


    anyone know where this happened?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Somewhere near Ashford. Don't know where exactly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23 Brian728


    Truly horrific incident. Not sure how I'd have reacted if it was my poor dog. While nothing will bring the poor family pet back, I hope they pursue this fully and get some form of justice


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 998 ✭✭✭dharma200


    Imagine I let my three dogs off the lead, to run around in a pack, through the local fields.....

    Erm no, because it would be against the law, as the dogs would not be u der control, and might attack someone's dog or livestock and get shot.... These dogs.... Oh no.... Sure, they are special dogs, allowed to be in a large pack running loose... Makes me sick


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 498 ✭✭FueledByAisling


    I came across this earlier on Facebook 'justice for (the dogs name that I can't remember') and found it a bit odd. I can understand the pain the family must be in after I too recently lost my dog, but the post on fb is a bit odd. For instance, the owners seem to emphasise the fact that loose horses were left on their lawn (while the riders went off to try get the hounds), they seemed angry at riders dismounting to help the dog being attacked. The bray hunters have never had an accident like this occur before and do not actually hunt live foxes so I think the hatred being sent their way is a bit unfair.

    Although nothing can be done to compensate for the loss of that poor dogs life, as an active member of the we equine world and a hound owner I just think the whole situation is being blown up to something very extreme. It is nothing more than a freak accident which nobody could have expected, It is very unusual for the dogs to turn on another and in fairness,the hunters did try and stop it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Knine


    I would say the situation was very extreme for the family who witnessed that happening to their dog. I know my own kids would be tramatised for a long time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    If the hunt had no permission to be on the land, which was the case according to the journal.ie (not a great source though) AND the hounds attacked the dog it is not just a case of "shíte happens".

    1 - they broke the law for trespassing.
    2 - the dogs were not under their control as is a legal requirement.
    3 - if these dogs targeted an animal that was supposed to be safe from them, what's to say those dogs will not do it again OR could even go for a child. Dogs don't have the same level of understanding as us humans.

    As a mother living near Bray, I would be very concerned for the safety of children if these animals are not controlled. Hound owners HAVE to be held accountable for their dogs.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    I will also add, that in my innocence and youth, I used to hunt with a couple of hunt packs who shall remain nameless.
    The behaviour of the huntspeople towards members of the public, homeowners, and farmers was often disgraceful, rude, and bullyish. When the hounds on occasion chose to enter private yards and gardens, and this never happened during a chase, and always resulted in dead chickens or ducks in farmyards (in my experience), the self-entitled, bombastic way the huntsmen entered private property to control the out-of-control hounds was appalling, even to my young self.
    By my early teenage years I'd learned enough about hunting folk to realise that this sort of behaviour just wasn't for me. Complete lack of respect for their neighbours, and indeed their quarry, even their own horses and hounds. No thanks.
    So I'm not one bit surprised at the anger this incident has provoked.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    DBB wrote: »
    I will also add, that in my innocence and youth, I used to hunt with a couple of hunt packs who shall remain nameless.
    The behaviour of the huntspeople towards members of the public, homeowners, and farmers was often disgraceful, rude, and bullyish. When the hounds on occasion chose to enter private yards and gardens, and this never happened during a chase, and always resulted in dead chickens or ducks in farmyards (in my experience), the self-entitled, bombastic way the huntsmen entered private property to control the out-of-control hounds was appalling, even to my young self.
    By my early teenage years I'd learned enough about hunting folk to realise that this sort of behaviour just wasn't for me. Complete lack of respect for their neighbours, and indeed their quarry, even their own horses and hounds. No thanks.
    So I'm not one bit surprised at the anger this incident has provoked.

    As a member of the equine community for over 20 years, I have to say a few hunters are some of the most obnoxious, self important and downright horrible people I have ever met. The sense of entitlement is horrifically overwhelming. I have near choked on my lunch as some came back from hunts INDIGNANT that someone had threatened them off private land because "their" fox (never knew you could own a wild animal) had sought refuge there. And that the farmer was a príck for never letting them on, as though it was something he should have to yield to.

    That said, some hunters are lovely people, I just do not agree with their idea of "sport".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 620 ✭✭✭mosi


    I used to ride a lot and help out at stables in that area as a kid, and have also worked at a stable out there. I always remember on hunt days, if the hunt was known to be coming close, how the dogs around the stables would be kept inside for exactly the reason of the incident here...that the hounds could kill the dogs if they came across them.
    The Brays do use public roads at times. They have ridden past my parents' house on a few occasions. My family know the days that they may possibly expect a hunt, although it is not very often.
    I would be inconsolable if any of mine or my family's dogs were killed in such a manner. My parents have always been quite paranoid about hunt days, but most people are probably not aware of when the hunt will be out. They really should put up public notices in areas where they plan to ride. As a successful drag hunting club, the Brays could potentially be an example of how "hunting" does not have to require a live quarry. With incidents like this, however, they really need to take responsibility and make a public statement about how they can avoid this happening again. I know it is a rare case, but I'm sure that does not matter to the family who lost their lovely little pet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Poor doggie :'(

    I'd say the backlash will ensure the hunting club gets closed down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    Poor doggies regularly maul and hunt other domestic animals such as sheep causing horrific injuries and death and domestic 'doggies' regularly attack children / cats / postmen

    The Bray harriers are a Drag Pack that do not hunt live quarry. If these hounds went out of control then the BH will have to take responsibility same as any other animal owner

    I absolutely detest that this is being used to beat the old drum of 'look at those toffs on their horses' riding over other people's land

    This is absolute rubbish. The people who ride like the BH are the same as other regular individuals - but instead of rugby or wrestling or other activity they ride.

    The last thing we need is absolute rubbish being promulgated as opinion about others who people target for their own ideological purposes. Shame on them.

    It is indeed sad that this dog lost its life. But like every other domestic animal attack it needs proper reporting not rabel rousing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 Aptitude


    gozunda wrote: »
    This is absolute rubbish. The people who ride like the BH are the same as other regular individuals - but instead of rugby or wrestling or other activity they ride.

    Yeah - cause rugby players and wrestlers go around the countryside with packs of killer dogs on the loose. :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 Aptitude


    gozunda wrote: »
    Poor doggies regularly maul and hunt other domestic animals such as sheep causing horrific injuries and death and domestic 'doggies' regularly attack children / cats / postmen
    gozunda wrote: »
    It is indeed sad that this dog lost its life. But like every other domestic animal attack it needs proper reporting not rabel rousing.

    You complain about rabel (rabble?) rousing yet you are yourself guilty of it by criticizing people for referring to a dog that has been murdered and savaged as a "doggie".

    I think the type of "doggie" that attacks postmen and children aren`t really referred to as "doggies". Yeah, dogs attack cats - but you shouldn`t have a cat if your dog is likely to kill it, and if it`s a neighbours cat, it can probably jump to safety :pac:

    Anyway, this all very off topic. Let the group responsible be punished.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    Aptitude wrote: »
    You complain about rabel (rabble?) rousing yet you are yourself guilty of it by criticizing people for referring to a dog that has been murdered and savaged as a "doggie".

    I think the type of "doggie" that attacks postmen and children aren`t really referred to as "doggies". Yeah, dogs attack cats - but you shouldn`t have a cat if your dog is likely to kill it, and if it`s a neighbours cat, it can probably jump to safety :pac:

    Anyway, this all very off topic. Let the group responsible be punished.

    I criticised no one. And yes domestic doggies aka people's pets do attack other people's domestic animals. It is quite a common phenomen. I didn't mention keeping the dog and cat together either, I do like your presumption that any other cat should be able to "jump out of the way" - so is it ok for domestic dogs to attack cats? I don't think so. Can sheep climb trees / jump to safety as well?

    To repeat - For the other poster Bray Harriers are a Drag Pack - that means the hounds are not used for live prey - unfortunately they displayed the same type of behaviour that is seen in other domestic dogs - unprovoked attack.
    Please reread the post carefully for what was actually said.

    Domestic animals have been known to attack other domestic animals. What I dislike is this been used to highhack what happened - as I clearly stated.

    'It is indeed sad that this dog lost its life. But like every other domestic animal attack it needs proper reporting not rabble(!) rousing.'
    Hope that is understand at least

    To repeat - For the other poster Bray Harriers are a Drag Pack - that means they do not go after live prey -'packs of killer dogs' unfortunately the animals displayed the same type of behaviour that is seen in other domestic dogs - an unprovoked attack.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,279 ✭✭✭The Bishop Basher


    Tragic situation for everyone but particularly the family.

    That said, I'd be waiting on the facts before pointing fingers.

    There's an awful lot of conclusions being jumped to on here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    I came across this earlier on Facebook 'justice for (the dogs name that I can't remember') and found it a bit odd. I can understand the pain the family must be in after I too recently lost my dog, but the post on fb is a bit odd. For instance, the owners seem to emphasise the fact that loose horses were left on their lawn (while the riders went off to try get the hounds), they seemed angry at riders dismounting to help the dog being attacked. The bray hunters have never had an accident like this occur before and do not actually hunt live foxes so I think the hatred being sent their way is a bit unfair.

    Although nothing can be done to compensate for the loss of that poor dogs life, as an active member of the we equine world and a hound owner I just think the whole situation is being blown up to something very extreme. It is nothing more than a freak accident which nobody could have expected, It is very unusual for the dogs to turn on another and in fairness,the hunters did try and stop it.

    What if a child had been alone in the garden when this happened. This can't be talked away hunt have to accept responsibility


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    gozunda wrote: »
    I absolutely detest that this is being used to beat the old drum of 'look at those toffs on their horses' riding over other people's land

    I'm assuming that this comment is not aimed at anyone who has posted thus far in this thread? There has been no mention of "toffs" or anything the like of it here.
    There are some sports, and some activities (I won't class hunting as a sport), which seem to attract a disproportionate amount of rude, obnoxious people. In my experience, having worked in the horse industry for years, hunting is very much one of them: some are fine, many are not. That's got nothing to do with what social class the participants do or don't belong to. An idiot is an idiot.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    What if a child had been alone in the garden when this happened. This can't be talked away hunt have to accept responsibility


    This was very sad incident but as said children are regularly attacked by domestic dogs. In this instance it was another dog. what is needed is that responsibility be taken, not this issue used for personal tirades on others or an undefined witch hunt because unfortunately some of the comments amount to that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,480 ✭✭✭wexie


    gozunda wrote: »
    This was very sad incident but as said children are regularly attacked by domestic dogs. In this instance it was another dog. what is needed is that responsibility be taken, not this issue used for personal tirades on others or an undefined witch hunt because unfortunately some of the threads here amount to that.

    So you mean the owners, or those responsible for the dogs to be held fully and unconditionally responsible?

    For allowing their animals to trespass on private land and attack and kill a family pet.

    Not to mention to run loose in a public area quite clearly not under control?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    It shouldn't have happened - end of story. Don't know all the facts but the huntsman will surely have some questions to answer.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,190 ✭✭✭✭IvySlayer


    So the people on the horses tried to save the dog but couldn't? The dogs were completely out of control?

    The dogs that did this should never be let outside again, and the people responsible never be allowed to own/be in control of dogs


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,575 ✭✭✭ZiabR


    Unreal, that is very sad, the poor dog.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,528 ✭✭✭ShaShaBear


    gozunda wrote: »
    This was very sad incident but as said children are regularly attacked by domestic dogs. In this instance it was another dog. what is needed is that responsibility be taken, not this issue used for personal tirades on others or an undefined witch hunt because unfortunately some of the comments amount to that.

    Where are the statistics you gathered to back up such a statement?
    I would love to see some numbers to suggest that domestic dogs regularly attack children.
    I suppose you're going to try and argue that these "regular" attacks on children are also unprovoked?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    ShaShaBear wrote: »
    Where are the statistics you gathered to back up such a statement?
    I would love to see some numbers to suggest that domestic dogs regularly attack children.
    I suppose you're going to try and argue that these "regular" attacks on children are also unprovoked?

    Don't believe that it happens? Take a look at news reports of some significant and horrendous attack stories involving domestic dogs in the last couple of years. These exclude stories that don't make it public where a domestic pet bites or otherwise attacks family members. It is deeply saddening but It happens. Dogs are by instinct predators and will attack sometimes even when not provoked. Btw are you suggesting the attacks you appear to deny only happen when an animal is 'provoked'?

    Such incidences are certainly more 'regular' in my opinion than the incidence referred to in this thread.

    As I have already said the reported incident concerns an attack by domestic animals on another domestic animal. I am sure the structures are in place to deal with this without huge nashing of teeth and mud slinging,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,579 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    mosi wrote: »
    The Brays do use public roads at times. They have ridden past my parents' house on a few occasions. My family know the days that they may possibly expect a hunt, although it is not very often.
    I think part of the families point is that they weren't informed, and even their website didn't have a location listed apparently. Part of the solution is for all hunts to post up the routes, or potential routes of the hunts around the area - for drag hunts in particular this should be straight forward.

    I'm not really one to go OTT, but as other's have mentioned it could've been a young child or children playing in what is a private garden, and apparently the pack were completely out of control. And what if children (or even adults for that matter) were in the garden when the hunts men and women left their horses loose in the garden to try and control the dogs? Pretty easy to have a spooked horse in a panicked situation, and a kick from a hunter might not be inconsequential. It's a mess from start to finish.

    And those saying that domestic dogs do attack. Yes they do – what’s the usual consequence for the dog(s) if they can't be controlled? And will that be the same for the pack?

    We have a hunt that goes in the vicinity of our house a few times a season. I have to say I haven’t had a problem up to now – I always assumed the dogs were under control.. However, in light of this, I’d like to be informed when they will be in the area so I can at least be more aware and take precautions if I feel it necessary.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,480 ✭✭✭wexie


    gozunda wrote: »
    Don't believe that it happens? Take a look at news reports of some significant and horrendous attack stories involving domestic dogs in the last couple of years. These exclude stories that don't make it public where a domestic pet bites or otherwise attacks family members. It is deeply saddening but It happens. Dogs are by instinct predators and will attack sometimes even when not provoked. Btw are you suggesting the attacks you appear to deny only happen when an animal is 'provoked'?

    Such incidences are certainly more 'regular' in my opinion than the incidence referred to in this thread.

    As I have already said the reported incident concerns an attack by domestic animals on another domestic animal. I am sure the structures are in place to deal with this without huge nashing of teeth and mud slinging,

    You don't really think that a single dog attacking (regardless of whether on not it was provoked) on it's own territory is comparable to an out of control pack of hunting dogs attacking someone's pet in their own back yard do you?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,354 ✭✭✭borderlinemeath


    gozunda wrote: »
    Don't believe that it happens? Take a look at news reports of some significant and horrendous attack stories involving domestic dogs in the last couple of years. These exclude stories that don't make it public where a domestic pet bites or otherwise attacks family members. It is deeply saddening but It happens. Dogs are by instinct predators and will attack sometimes even when not provoked. Btw are you suggesting the attacks you appear to deny only happen when an animal is 'provoked'?

    There is ALWAYS something to provoke an attack. ALWAYS. The very, very odd exception would be where the attacking dog has a neurological disorder (the last one I heard of was an Irish setter who's unexplainable attacks were caused by a brain tumour)

    Dogs will go on the defensive and get into skirmishes with other dogs and animals because they aren't correctly socialized. The reaction is primarily rooted in fear, not in an 'instinct predator' way that you suggest. Dogs are not wolves, there's about 15,000 years of domestication between them. There are some breeds that still have an innate prey drive towards some animals but to suggest that all dogs are 'instinct predators' is way off.

    A dog will attack a human, be it an adult or a child out of fear or frustration. Fear because it is either in pain, or has been frightened into submission by an adult using negative and forceful punishment, or by a child doing something as simple as pulling it's ear. Frustration can be as simple as not getting enough regular exercise, for breeds such as the collie who need huge amounts of mental and physical stimulation, this is cited as the main reasons why they can bite/nip or eventually attack.
    Such incidences are certainly more 'regular' in my opinion than the incidence referred to in this thread.

    As I have already said the reported incident concerns an attack by domestic animals on another domestic animal. I am sure the structures are in place to deal with this without huge nashing of teeth and mud slinging,

    The difference here is that this was an organised event, (albeit with not enough public notice, and perhaps a questionable permit) with dogs that are meant to be specifically trained for a hunt. This pack were clearly out of control, they attacked one of their own species in their frenzy and the huntsmen seemed unable to control them even after dismounting. The majority of incidents that you try to allude to are not part of an organised 'event'. It's one that could have been easily prevented, with adequate notice, communication and training and control of the dog pack.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,528 ✭✭✭ShaShaBear


    gozunda wrote: »
    Don't believe that it happens? Take a look at news reports of some significant and horrendous attack stories involving domestic dogs in the last couple of years. These exclude stories that don't make it public where a domestic pet bites or otherwise attacks family members. It is deeply saddening but It happens. Dogs are by instinct predators and will attack sometimes even when not provoked. Btw are you suggesting the attacks you appear to deny only happen when an animal is 'provoked'?

    Such incidences are certainly more 'regular' in my opinion than the incidence referred to in this thread.

    As I have already said the reported incident concerns an attack by domestic animals on another domestic animal. I am sure the structures are in place to deal with this without huge nashing of teeth and mud slinging,

    More regular in your opinion. Not in fact. I did not once deny that dogs attack children. But certainly it is not a regular occurrence, and definitely not with regards to the news. I believe there has only been two in news in the past several years for Ireland and England. But yes, I do believe, as many trained professionals on here will tell you, that dogs rarely if ever attack a child (or any human) when unprovoked.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭Merry Prankster


    DBB wrote: »
    There are some sports, and some activities (I won't class hunting as a sport), which seem to attract a disproportionate amount of rude, obnoxious people. In my experience, having worked in the horse industry for years, hunting is very much one of them: some are fine, many are not. That's got nothing to do with what social class the participants do or don't belong to. An idiot is an idiot.

    It's hardly surprising that many of those who enjoy killing wild animals for fun turn out to be <snip>, is it? To derive pleasure from such an activity requires a certain level of callousness and disregard for suffering - not personality traits that one commonly finds in decent people.


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    It's hardly surprising that many of those who enjoy killing wild animals for fun turn out to be <snip> is it? To derive pleasure from such an activity requires a certain level of callousness and disregard for suffering - not personality traits that one commonly finds in decent people.

    I'm not particularly interested in getting into this side of this debate, as it will pull the thread way off topic. Plus, I also think that tarring every single person with one brush is a silly road to go down. To be fair to the ethos of drag hunting, it is a fair compromise where people get their day out, but there is no animal to be killed at the end.
    This particular incident needs investigation, and I'm disgusted by it. But it's not particularly fair to imply that the followers of drag hunts are bloodthirsty.
    Followers of non-drag hunts, well, we could debate that all day. But not in this forum!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭Merry Prankster


    DBB wrote: »
    I'm not particularly interested in getting into this side of this debate, as it will pull the thread way off topic. Plus, I also think that tarring every single person with one brush is a silly road to go down. To be fair to the ethos of drag hunting, it is a fair compromise where people get their day out, but there is no animal to be killed at the end.
    This particular incident needs investigation, and I'm disgusted by it. But it's not particularly fair to imply that the followers of drag hunts are bloodthirsty.
    Followers of non-drag hunts, well, we could debate that all day. But not in this forum!


    Fair points, I stand corrected.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    <snip>
    I tried to drop the hint nicely above, but now I will be more forthright.
    Do not drag this thread off-topic any more. The poster you quoted has already acknowledged that they may not have been fair in what they said. So let's leave it at that.
    Back on topic please.
    Do not reply to this post on thread.
    Thanks,
    DBB


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    A friend of mine wonders if the dog found the laid scent and rolled in it and then came back to her garden. Ugh. Its a plausible explanation. Tragic accident for the dog and her owners if that's the case.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    fits wrote: »
    A friend of mine wonders if the dog found the laid scent and rolled in it and then came back to her garden. Ugh. Its a plausible explanation. Tragic accident for the dog and her owners if that's the case.

    Anything's possible, but I would say that excuse is rather stretching plausibility to the extreme.

    In all the hunts I went on as a kid, the farm birds and pheasants the hounds killed whilst trespassing on private property.... What possible excuse there?

    I'll hazard my own guess. On the assumption that very few dog attacks are truly unprovoked, it's predatory behaviour. A pack of hounds come upon something small and fluffy, they will kill it. That they killed a dog (or hen, duck or pheasant) means they killed non-target species, a behaviour called Predatory Drift.
    All dogs are capable of it, and those who use dogs to hunt with, particularly in large packs, would be more than familiar with it. They therefore should go to every possible extreme to ensure that it cannot happen when there are other species at potential risk.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    DBB wrote: »
    Anything's possible, but I would say that excuse is rather stretching plausibility to the extreme.

    In all the hunts I went on as a kid, the farm birds and pheasants the hounds killed whilst trespassing on private property.... What possible excuse there?

    And I've seen packs of hounds walking quietly close to their huntsman through a field of ewes and newborn lambs under absolutely perfect control. I don't doubt you when you say those things happened but I haven't seen them happen. Its absolutely unacceptable of course as well.. A lot depends on huntsmans skills. As far as I know imfha regulate their member packs very tightly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Just to add to that, the worst huntsman I ever saw was with a drag pack. It was a complete joke and I wouldn't go near them with a very long bargepole. (not the brays). They shouldn't have had hounds at all imo. They were unaffiliated. I was out with the brays once and thought they were reasonably well organised.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    I'd hazard a guess that a huntsman will make damn, damn sure his hounds will not disturb a field of ewes... Lands to hunt on are becoming increasingly hard to find, and for a hunt to ride gaily through a field of livestock would be suicidal for that hunt.
    In this case, hounds were clearly not under control, and as you said, this is a serious failing on the huntsman's part. It's a pity this happened to a drag hunt because they are trying to maintain a compromise which keeps everyone happy.
    Part of me wonders if hounds used in drag hunting are simply not as disciplined as full-blown hunting hounds, because they can lay trails that avoid livestock and other potential problems, thus meaning the hounds don't need to be trained as well around livestock?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    DBB wrote: »
    I'll hazard my own guess. On the assumption that very few dog attacks are truly unprovoked, it's predatory behaviour. A pack of hounds come upon something small and fluffy, they will kill it. That they killed a dog (or hen, duck or pheasant) means they killed non-target species, a behaviour called Predatory Drift.
    All dogs are capable of it, and those who use dogs to hunt with, particularly in large packs, would be more than familiar with it. They therefore should go to every possible extreme to ensure that it cannot happen when there are other species at potential risk.

    its possible, but doesn't explain how the hounds went off the trail and into the garden. Anyway, I would be interested to know what happened but I doubt we will find out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 98 ✭✭lynchieboy


    The hounds must have mistook the dog for a fox, hyped up on the hunt, these are the same type of hounds! What a disaster for the family.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op1DOYDybjc


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,301 ✭✭✭Snickers Man


    Justice for Isabelle?

    Come on, guys. This has to be a spoof.

    There's probably another FB page demanding justice for the Ashford One.

    Has this been reported as fact in a reputable media outlet, print, web or broadcast?

    If the only evidence is a Facebook page, some healthy skepticism is in order.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 645 ✭✭✭Vision of Disorder


    gozunda wrote: »
    This is absolute rubbish. The people who ride like the BH are the same as other regular individuals - but instead of rugby or wrestling or other activity they ride.

    I never realised it was impossible to ride a horse without the accompaniment of a pack of hounds... :rolleyes:
    Aptitude wrote: »
    Yeah - cause rugby players and wrestlers go around the countryside with packs of killer dogs on the loose. :rolleyes:

    It'd be a hell of a gimmick for a wrestler to be fair.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Justice for Isabelle?

    Come on, guys. This has to be a spoof.

    There's probably another FB page demanding justice for the Ashford One.

    Has this been reported as fact in a reputable media outlet, print, web or broadcast?

    If the only evidence is a Facebook page, some healthy skepticism is in order.

    A quick Google will reveal that this incident has been reported in several local and national papers, and the hunt has acknowledged it too.

    eg http://www.thejournal.ie/dog-attacked-hunt-1200991-Dec2013/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,279 ✭✭✭The Bishop Basher


    I'm from the area and I don't think there's any doubt that it happened. The details are a lot more sketchy at the moment however.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭✭fits


    I'm just thinking.... A full 24 hours elapsed between the incident and the setting up of that Facebook page, and yet whoever set the page up( owners im presuming) didn't even know it was a drag hunt? You'd wonder whether the hunt engaged properly with the family at all.


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