Fox hunts are going to cause a serious road accident, protesters have warned, after a hound was hit by a car.

The dog was injured when it was hit by a car driven by Sue Braun, of Chinnor, in Thame Park Road, Thame. The vehicle's headlights were damaged.

Earlier, a fox being chased by the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt had dashed in front of campaigner Penny Little's car.

Mrs Little, of Protect Our Wild Animals, was monitoring the hunt.

"Suddenly, the hunt and hounds went across the road right in front of me," she said.

Mrs Little, of Great Haseley, was filming the hunt to show Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Charles Pollard the dangers to motorists.

"Their irresponsible behaviour is going to cause a pile-up," she said. "They are a tremendous traffic hazard as they charge across country roads without any warning.

"The hunt behaved with lunatic disregard for the public's safety once again, and as usual a hound has suffered.

"They are a disgrace. I filmed the hounds as they charged across the road followed by the hunters."

But Alan Hill, Master of the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt, said: "The hounds were not out of control.

"In the first incident they were there with riders as they crossed the road. In the second, a hound was hit and suffered slight bruising. It is now all right.

"There were people from the hunt on foot and they talked to the motorist involved."

Mrs Braun was not available for comment.

Story date: Monday 20 March

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