By Peter Tremayne

Police are investigating an incident in West Cornwall in which hounds from the Western Hunt, based at Madron, near Penzance, attacked and killed a pet cat on a local housing estate.

The attack was captured on video and has been widely shared on social media, making national headlines. The video also shows a man from the hunt picking up the cat’s dead body and throwing it over a fence.

No arrests have been made. The incident is the latest in a series in which out-of-control hounds have attacked and killed domestic pets in Cornwall. In 2005 hounds killed a pygmy goat on The Roseland and in 1995 the Western Hunt was again involved in the death of a pet cat near Penzance.

A spokesperson from the Western Hunt, quoted by ITV News, said: “The hunt is aware of events that took place on Saturday, 6th March, 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.

A still from video footage of Western Hunt hounds killing a pet cat. Moments later a hunt official picks up the cat's body and throws it over a fence. Police are investigating.

"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 reoccurrence.”

petertremayne@cornwallreports.co.uk