Hunt causes chaos for animal owners around Mynydd-y-Garreg

Residents in Mynydd-y-Garreg have claimed that a hunt, which they say had no permission to use council owned land, has left their animals ‘traumatised’.

The incident took place at approximately pm on Saturday (Nov 11). Dyfed-Powys Police said that they received a call regarding dogs being lose on a property in the Four Roads area. They said: “Further investigation found the dogs to be a part of an organised trail hunt with no firearms. No wildlife or animals were injured and the organisers of the hunt were given the relevant advice. No further action will be taken at this time.”

According to some local residents horses, pigs, chickens and dogs were left traumatised by some 30 or 40 hounds from the hunt running amok on private land in Mynydd-y-Garreg.

Witnesses said that two huntsmen on foot and three on horseback had caused the chaos. Residents said that they had done their best to protect their animals.

One resident said: “There were dogs all over the place. The pigs retreated to a corner of the field, the chickens and my rescue dog all hid, while four of the horses grouped together and tried bravely to scare the dogs away. Two horses in an adjoining field were badly shaken and had to be brought in. The huntsmen blew their horns but this was ineffectual, and it took some 45 minutes for the dogs to be collected and the ordeal to be over”.

Mynydd-y-Garreg Mountain is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for geological reasons, and is home to rare and protected flora and fauna.

Another affected property owner Deborah Brooks said: “This place is a nature reserve really, with a variety of wildlife living in our quarry and fields here”.

Kidwelly Town Council confirmed they had been made aware of the incident, and that they had not given permission for the Hunt to be on Mynydd-y-Garreg Mountain, land surrounding the affected householders owned by the Council.

We contacted the Carmarthenshire Hunt for comment.