Claim that cat is killed by hounds from Western Hunt, Cornwall

It is after a video emerged apparently showing a cat being killed by the dogs and then tossed into a hedge by a huntsman.

Carly Jose, a 39-year-old teaching assistant from Madron, said her family was torn apart when their rescue cat, Mimi, was found dead.

In the video, a group of at least six dogs can be seen gathering around the cat as a man shouts 'leave it'.

The man then runs towards the pack as Carly leaves her front door and the dogs disperse.

Then, having reached the cat before Carly could see what had happened, the man picks up the dead cat before running towards a fence.

He is then obscured from view, but Carly said another neighbour saw the man thrown Mini's body into a hedge.

Carly said: "I was upstairs with my youngest daughter, my eldest was at the vets where she works.

"I heard a massive commotion, dogs and a lot of voices – so I ran down to check the garden, I thought dogs might have got into the back but there was nothing there.

"I went to the front and saw lots of hounds all over the front garden.

Mimi the cat was allegedly killed by hounds. Picture: SWNS

"The huntsman was there with the hounds as well, I just knew that something bad had happened.

"Then a neighbour said that he saw what had happened, a hound had killed Mini."

Carly was devastated at the news, but was even more shocked when another neighbour approached and said the incident had been caught on camera.

Carly continued: "The man can be seen checking behind himself then throwing her as far as he can into the hedge. He just wanted to cover his tracks, I think.

"We live in a small village and the hunt hounds are based just up the road, they have several exercise areas where they can run around.

"They don't usually come this way, I don't know why. I don't know why they came my way that day."

Carly Jose with cat Mimi. Picture: SWNS

A spokesperson from the Western Hunt, said: “The hunt is aware of events that took place on Saturday, March 6, while the hounds were being exercised in an area where they are taken routinely, without incident, by officials of the hunt.

"The hunt has been in contact with the cat owner to apologise unreservedly for the distress this has caused and is also helping the police with their enquiries.

"Incidents of this nature involving hounds are incredibly rare due to the professionalism with which the hounds are managed, however the hunt has taken this matter very seriously and is reviewing their procedures to prevent any re-occurrence.”

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "No arrests have been made but enquiries are ongoing".