Police are hunting sick fox hunters after a killing was spotted in Inverclyde.
The animal killers, riding quad bikes and Land Rovers, were allegedly seen storming private land in Port Glasgow.
The land, near the town's Alderbrae Road, is owned by Ardgowan Estate.
Estate chiefs said no permission was given for the hunt.
Police confirmed that a probe is underway after locals claim they saw a fox being killed by a dog.
One alleged witness said 15 to 20 hunters gathered near a cycle path popular with young families.
Speaking anonymously he said: "I heard dogs barking near to the fields at the cycle track and when I arrived a woman was on the track already on the phone to police.
"She said 'it's a fox hunt'.
"I ran up the hill and I saw people on quad motorbikes and with Land Rovers and I saw a fox being killed by a dog.
"There were about 15 to 20 people involved - they were riding on the fence."
"Residents are upset about this.
"It wasn't nice, there were families and children on the cycle track.
"It should be done in a controlled way by farmers if foxes are killing their sheep and lambs."
Hunting with hounds was effectively banned in Scotland in 2002, but dogs can still be used for flushing out foxes to be shot.
Local councillor Jim MacLeod slammed the scenes as 'archaic'.
Mr MacLeod said: "It is really abhorrent.
"I am really disgusted that this happened near to houses and children in that vicinity.
"I understand the Scottish Government was set to introduce a new bill to close these loopholes in 2019 but this was delayed by the pandemic."
Ardgowan Estate owner Sir Ludovic Shaw-Stewart said: "The land belongs to Ardgowan Estate and although permission was not granted to hunt on estate land it is apparent from discussions with the hunt and police that the hounds strayed onto the land mistakenly.
"Having discussed the situation with the police we don't believe there has been any criminality."
Police have now confirmed they are investigating.
Sergeant Jason Logsdon said: "Inverclyde Police received a report on Saturday 19 December relating to alleged illegal fox hunting on private land behind Alderbrae Road, Port Glasgow.
"Area commander Chief Inspector Paul Cameron confirmed enquiries were ongoing at this time."
