Hunters and animal rights groups are said to have clashed at the annual New Year's Day 'Meet' for the Carmarthenshire Hunt group on Wednesday morning.
Hundreds were in attendance at the event in the Guildhall Square for the Carmarthenshire Hunt Club's Meet which has been an annual tradition since the club's formation in 1889. Supporters and protesters filled the square whilst riders paraded through the town with a number of hounds.
But tensions are said to have been running high between both sides, with onlookers claiming cheers of 'I hope your kids get cancer' and the word 'c***' were heard on several occassions.
Anti-blood sport activists gathered in the town to demonstrate their anger at the club's trail hunting activities, which some animal activists claim is just as bad as the traditional sport. It involves people on foot or horseback following a scent along a pre-determined route with hounds or beagles, but without a fox being chased, injured or killed. The Hunting Act of 2004 banned hunting with dogs in England and Wales
David Newman, of West Wales Animal Aid, said: "They have no control over the dogs if they are trail hunting and many foxes and domestic pets have been ripped apart all over the UK since the Hunting Ban. Cats have been killed recently and hounds have been killed on main roads."
The RSPCA add: "Trail hunting involves laying a trail for hounds to follow, using urine, body parts and carcasses from animals such as foxes. Some fear trail hunting is being used as a smokescreen to get around the law and continue traditional, illegal fox hunting, which would be a major concern."
The Carmarthenshire Hunt Club have always maintained that their hunts are continually monitored and are in line with current legislation.
And with such strong opinions on the subject many onlookers were left shocked after seeing both sides clash at the Meet.
Lucy O'Neill, 26 was walking through the town and says she heard aggressive language: "I honestly couldn't believe what I was hearing: people were screaming the most awful things at each other, it was quite shocking. The 'c' word was being thrown about even when there were children there."
Simon Welch, another onlooker, said: "It was disgusting and coming from the mouths of adults I heard 'I hope your kids get cancer' being cheered. What kind of world is this when people say that?"
Mr Newman was at the protest and said that he encouraged groups to keep things peaceful but also experienced aggressive behaviour, claiming protesters were told "go to your council homes and get a job".
He added: "Police had to step in a few times. At one point myself and another person had to stand back to back to stop it all breaking out in a fight."
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that they were in attendance: "Police were in attendance as is standard for this kind of event. No arrests were made though and both parties were thankful of the police involvement."
