Podcast Investigates Illegal Bloodsports After Animal Carcasses Found

Investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor launched their 10-part podcast series, 'Buried: Dead Rabbit,' to explore the disturbing discovery of approximately 20 mutilated animal carcasses, including rabbits, hares, pheasants, a fox, and a muntjac deer, found outside a Hampshire primary school in 2024. The discovery prompted an investigation into the world of illegal bloodsports, specifically hare coursing, an activity banned in the UK since 2005. The podcast delves into the connections between these activities and organized crime, uncovering the presence of violent individuals terrorizing rural communities.

The series, which follows the award-winning BBC podcast 'Buried,' aims to shed light on the dark web and alleged police corruption, drawing parallels to the popular television drama 'Line of Duty.' The journalists' investigation was further supported by naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham. The discovery of the animal remains, which included a deer with its head severed, left the local village in shock and raised significant questions about the perpetrators and their motives.

'Buried: Dead Rabbit' seeks to expose the extent of illegal bloodsports and their entanglement with criminal networks. Hare coursing involves dogs hunting hares to kill them, a practice that has been outlawed for nearly two decades. The podcast's narrative explores the dangerous characters involved and the impact of their activities on communities across the country. The creators have also announced a forthcoming documentary based on their findings.

The podcast is available on BBC Sounds. The investigation into the animal dumping incident and the broader issue of illegal bloodsports highlights a significant challenge for law enforcement and rural communities facing the consequences of organized criminal activity. The scale of the discovery and the brutality involved underscore the severity of the problem being investigated by Ashby and Taylor.