A number of hounds claimed to be from the Four Burrows Hunt had to be rescued after they fell down mineshafts yesterday.

Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service were called to the Porkellis area of Helston yesterday (February 7)at 3.34pm.

They helped in rescuing some dogs which had fallen into a dry shaft. Line rescue teams from Tolvaddon and appliances from Falmouth and Helston attended. Two officers were also in attendance.

Falmouth Packet: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service helped rescue the dogsCornwall Fire and Rescue Service helped rescue the dogs (Image: KernowSabs)

Crews used line rescue equipment at the scene to make a successful rescue.

A spokesperson for Kernow Hunt Sabs who were following the Four Burrows Hunt at the time, told the Packet that the hounds belonged to the hunt. They said they thought three hounds had gone down the mine.

They said the hunt met at Medlyn Farm, Porkellis and rode the area around Boswin and west of the fishing lakes before being taken into Wheal Rock area.

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“Hounds had chattered on and off in various areas,” they said, adding that the hounds then ran into a scrub area near the mine shaft. 

They added: "A little while later other hunt staff returned and then the fire engines arrived.”

Fox hunting was banned by the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales, and the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 in Scotland, but trail hunting is permitted by law. 

Four Burrow Hunt Kennels have been contacted for a response.