Eton College launches investigation into claim its beagling club took part in illegal hare hunt

The League Against Cruel Sports claims to have filmed the club hunting in North Yorkshire

Footage has emerged of an alleged hare involving Eton College’s beagling club, which the prestigious institution is now investigating.

The League Against Cruel Sports claims to have taken footage of a hare being pursued by dogs at a hunt at Aldby Park in Buttercrambe, North Yorkshire, in October last year.

The group has alleged that the members of the hunt in the video are wearing the Eton College Beagles’ “distinctive uniform of brown velvet jackets”.

A spokesman for the group said the footage shows a hare fleeing from dogs after hunt staff and supporters are heard discussing its whereabouts.

The footage was taken on 27 October last year during the half-term holiday, according to the League Against Cruel Sports, and has this week been handed to North Yorkshire police. The group has also called on the headmaster of Eton College to conduct an internal inquiry.

It is illegal to hunt a wild mammal with a dog, unless the hunting is exempt, under The Hunting Act.

Eton College is now investigating the claims “as a matter of urgency”.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Eton College takes its legal responsibilities extremely seriously and expects all school activities to comply with the law.

“We are investigating this allegation as a matter of urgency and will be co-operating fully with the relevant authorities.”

North Yorkshire Police have not issued a comment.

Additional reporting by PA