Police have launched an investigation following complaints that a fox hunt in Angus caused chaos in a residential estate.
Fife Foxhounds were accused of “failing to respect privately owned and rented boundaries” at Panmure Estate near Carnoustie.
However, Fife Foxhounds said they were hunting within the law with permission from the landowner and were not aware of any wrongdoing.
Officers have spoken to residents in the estate after complaints that a number of hounds were out of control during the authorised hunt.
Witnesses claimed the hunt was stuck at a locked barrier at the Marches when the dogs continued to chase a fox through their private gardens.
Emma McGregor who lives on the estate said: “It’s frustrating, because although hunting is legal, in any other circumstances, surrounding a person’s home and allowing animals to run through their property, causing distress and alarm to domestic animals and the homeowner would be arguably in breach of something.
“My animals were very upset, particularly my old cat who was utterly terrified as he ran from the hounds and has been very wary since.
“Those animals had no right to be in my garden and the alarm they caused wasn’t any the less because they were chasing a fox.
“Failing to respect privately owned and rented boundaries demonstrates the utmost contempt and arrogance.
“While hunting is legal, allowing the hounds to kill the fox is not.
“If the hunt master was at a great enough distance away to lose control of his hounds and allow them into roads and private gardens, I’m not sure how he can be close enough prevent a kill.”
Fife Foxhounds honorary secretary Liz Bell said she was not aware of the police investigation.
She said: “We hunt within the law and had permission from the landowner and farmer.”
Asked about allegations of hounds being out of control in private gardens, she replied: “I wasn’t aware of that.”
Lord Bonomy is leading a review on Scotland’s hunting with dogs legislation following mounting allegations that fox hunts regularly break the law.
The review will look at whether legislation is providing the necessary level of protection for foxes and other wild animals while allowing for the effective and humane control of these when required.
As it stands, the legislation allows hunts to pursue foxes with dogs for pest control but the hounds must only be used to flush the creatures from cover to be shot by waiting gunmen.
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey said: “I have been in touch with Police Scotland who I know are looking into this matter and we must, in fairness, await the outcome on those inquiries which may, I suspect, take a little time to complete.
“There is a legislative framework that hunting must follow and beyond that I would also expect those participating to show appropriate respect for the property and rights of rural dwellers.”