Chases 1,000s, blowing top as criminal escapes (6)

I believe the answer is:

hounds

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'chases' is the definition.
(hounding is a kind of chasing)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for hounds that I've seen before include "Badgers" , "Harasses like hunting dogs" , "Hunting dogs kept in packs" , "Persecutes with dogs?" , "Dogs used for hunting" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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