The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) has decided to continue its activities and retain its title following the implementation of the Hunting Act.
At its Annual General Meeting, held on Saturday 23 July, members of the direct action organisation decided:
HSA spokesperson Nathan Brown explained: "Although there were some good arguments put forward for a change of name, in light of the fact that the hunting fraternity has vowed to use loopholes in the law or blatantly break it, the members of the HSA have decided to retain the current name.
"Members were also influenced by the lack of commitment to enforcing the ban by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The Hunting Act is a very simple and easily enforcable piece of legislation where the will to do so exists. Our members are now fully conversant with it."
He went on to outline future activities for the Association: "Whilst we will continue to be active against other bloodsports such as shooting, we realise that our experience and ability to get close to where the hunting takes place puts us in the best position to gather evidence of law breaking. We know who is involved in hunting and we know where it takes place. We believe that when the first succesful prosecutions take place there will be a drop in the level of illegal hunting taking place. Gathering evidence with video cameras will now be one of our main tactics, but where necessary we will still intervene to save the life of the animal being hunted."
Hunt saboteurs will be targetting grouse moors at the opening of the grouse shooting season on 12th August - "The Inglorious Twelfth".
They will also be monitoring the activities of hunts in early autumn when traditionally secretive early morning "Cub hunting" meets take place to train young foxhounds by hunting fox cubs.
ENDS
Timeline: the recent wave of violence against anti-hunt protestors since the Hunting Act was passed...
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the HSA commented 'If this comment is true, then what it represents is a high ranking police officer stating that he is not interested in of evidence of law breaking! Such an approach beggars belief, and if it is correct you have to seriously wonder what it is Mr McWhirter thinks the police are there to do. He would do well to remember that it is Parliament that makes the law, and that it is the police's job to enforce it - whether he personally agrees with it or not.'
She continued 'Mr McWhirter has also expressed concern in the past that the police do not have the resources to police the ban on hunting with hounds. We have always refuted such a claim as nonsense - the police after all have certainly found enough resources to police our activities over the last 40 years! And surely if resources are lacking, then it is precisely the evidence gathering activities of hunt saboteurs and other anti-hunt campaigners that he should be welcoming! Which ever way you look at his comments, they make little sense. And as such we will continue to ignore them, and continue with our work until we are confident that the hunt ban is being enforced.'
The hunt had met at the Anchor public house, Runsell Green near Maldon, Essex intending to flush foxes towards guns and shoot them. Hunt saboteurs claim that a rider with the hunt made clear threats, saying "One of you is going to get it today. One of you is really going to get hurt." Hunt supporters attacked saboteurs on several occasions.
At approximately 1.30 p.m. a Master of the hunt attacked a hunt saboteur, attempting to smash a video camera used for evidence gathering. The saboteur was struck with ship several times on the wrist and on the head. She was taken by ambulance to Chelmsford hospital with a suspected broken wrist and concussion. Another saboteur had already left the area after being beaten up. At 3 p.m. police arrested a Master of the hunt as the hunt packed up back at the original meeting point.
A rider with the hunt had ridden into a tree earlier in the day and made a false allegation that his bloody nose was caused by hunt saboteurs. When the saboteurs explained the embarrassing truth, police took no further action.
On the last day of legal hunting with hounds, a gang of up to 50 Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray hunt supporters and riders attacked the 8 brave saboteurs who had been trying to stop the hunt killing foxes near Petworth Park, Petworth, West Sussex.
Today was their last chance to legally chase and kill foxes before the hunting ban becomes law at midnight tonight.
Led by well known hunt thugs, including some responsible for attacks on saboteurs and their vehicles in the past, the hunt group ambushed the saboteurs late on in the afternoon beating them with fists, boots and sticks, and stealing cameras and camcorders that had recorded some of the violence.
During the clearly pre-arranged attack (sabs had been tipped off a fortnight ago they were to get 'their beating' last Saturday at the Crawley & Horsham hunt), a female sab was headbutted by a large male hunt supporter and a 63 year old protestor had his glasses smashed when punched in the face.
In a shocking example of how the hunt riders were also involved in the attack, one black coated woman rider shouted at the thugs beating one of the sabs on the ground to "get out of the way, I want to ride over him".
The saboteurs were taken to Chichester Hospital for treatment to their injuries and will be making full statements to the police about the attack.
Towards the end of the day the saboteurs had used hunting horn and voice calls to call the pack of hounds away from a fox they were chasing. Members of the hunt repeatedly attempted to ride down the saboteurs.
One saboteur told how he was pinned against the wall by the huntsman and another mounted follower and threatened with a "serious kicking".
Female saboteurs were particularly singled out for threats and attacks. A female saboteur sitting in a Landrover told how she was hit several times with a whip by a female whipper-in with the hunt . Luckily there were no injuries. The huntsman also threatened to smash the windscreen of the landrover and drag the occupants through it.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Since the Hunting Act became law, we have seen a massive upsurge in violence. It is no longer a case of if violence will happen but where. Each week one hunt stands above the rest in the severity of its violence directed against saboteurs. This week we are able to award the Cotswold Vale Hunt with the label of most violent hunt in the country."
Notes for Editors:
Video and still images are available
According to information passed to the HSA, the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt
has been given notice to leave its current kennels - located with the Croome
and West Warwickshire Hunt, Leadon Vale Basset hounds and Three Counties
Mink Hounds. The kennels are on land believed to be owned by Norwich Union,
who have given notice that the occupants must leave when hunting becomes an
illegal activity.
The Countryside Alliance is expected to grossly exaggerate support for hunting. Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesperson Nathan Brown explained: "Every year, the Alliance announce vastly exaggerated figures for the number of people who allegedly attended Boxing Day meets. They back up the claims with examples from the biggest hunts in the country such as the Duke of Beaufort, Vale of White Horse or Bicester with Whaddon Chase but in reality the numbers don't stack up. Away from these 'fashionable' packs, many meets will be attended by only a handful of supporters. They can play numbers games as much as they like but hunting will still be illegal in February and this is their last Boxing Day hunt."
Hunt saboteurs will, as ever, be preventing hunts from catching and killing animals. Rather than focus on banner waving demos, saboteurs will blow hunting horns, immitate the huntsman's voice calls and use harmless scent dulling sprays that mask where the fox or hare has run. The HSA spokesperson described the process: "Boxing day for hunt saboteurs typically starts well before the meet. Sabs unblock badger setts and fox earths that terriermen have stopped up. Woods and fields that the hunt are known to visit are sprayed and enough noise made to alert wildlife in advance. Groups will then track the hunt from the meet and intervene where necessary, or move on to neighbouring hunts. It is quite common for hunts to be completely oblivious to the fact that they have been sabotaged. Whilst the riders quaff the stirrup cup, our members are in the woods taking effective pre-emptive action."
Notes for Editors:
Saboteurs had attended the Essex Hunt meet at Tile House Farm, Thaxted to use hunting horns and scent dulling sprays to prevent the hunt from killing foxes. At the start of the day, the huntsmen said to some of the saboteurs "You're going to get f***ing hurt today". Threats of violence continued and saboteurs were deliberately ridden into by hunters on horses.
At about 11.30 a.m. the huntsman and whipper-in started hitting saboteurs over the head with their whips. The terrierman for the hunt dismounted from a quad bike and approached the saboteurs armed with a cudgel. Whilst lashing out with the weapon, he struck one of the saboteurs on the wrist. A paramedic was called to the scene but the injured saboteur had to attend hospital.
The police were called and informed of the incident but declined to take any action until the injury was confirmed and a statement can be made by the victim. They have informed local saboteurs that they intend to arrest a terrierman in connection with the incident.
At a meet of the High Peak Harriers near Buxton in Derbyshire, a saboteur who had received stitches to a head wound following an attack on her at that hunt on 27 November was told by a hunt supporter he would give her stitches in the other side of her head as he approached her with his stick raised. He then verbally abused her in front of police officers and was arrested. There were 5 police cars and a helicopter in the air for approximately 2 hours.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Since the Hunting Act was passed on 18 November we have received reports of attacks on saboteurs every week. It is no surprise given the 'fighting talk' of the Countryside Alliance. We can only expect these attacks to increase when the hunting ban comes into place in February and their activities are illegal. We will not be deterred from saving animals' lives." Commenting on the use of a helicopter at the High Peak Harriers he said "If these resources can be made available to monitor the activities of saboteurs, we expect them to be used to pursue people who hunt illegally after 18th February".
Notes for Editors:
Last week at the neighbouring Essex Farmers and Union Hunt joint meet with
the East Essex Hunt at Roundbush near Maldon, several saboteurs were injured
in attacks and one received a suspected broken nose.
The masked hunt supporter, Bryn Chittenden, boasted that the police would not be able to identify him. There were numerous assaults on hunt saboteurs throughout the day with several receiving bruising and one female saboteur received a suspected broken nose. Later, the hunt waited for saboteurs to arrive at a farm before a fox was thrown to the hounds in front of them.
In 1993 Roger Wakefield, Essex and Farmers Union Terrierman was given 160 hours community service after being found guilty of violent disorder and affray against saboteurs. Hunt supporter, Bryn Chittenden (pictured) was also convicted of the same offences and given 120 hours community service.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "The Countryside Alliance claims hunting will take place 'as normal' on 19th February 2005. Yet before the ban is even enforced the hunting fraternity are concealing their identities. When the hunting ban is in place we can expect to see more hunt supporters dressed in this way. These lawbreakers will carry on their violence and intimidation against animals and anyone who gets in their way. Comments by police forces that they do not intend to enforce the ban will be seen by these thugs as encouragement to break the law. We will still be there to record the evidence and save lives."
Further images of hunt supporters in balaclavas and armed with weapons may be viewed at the HSA website.
She continued 'Simon Hart, the CA spokesman, has stated that hunt meets for the 19th February will be 'widely advertised' - and that is nothing but music to our ears as it makes our jobs a lot easier! Hunt saboteurs up and down the country will be ready, as always, to attend meets and ensure that no hunting is conducted. We will work with the police to advise them on hunting procedure. We will be there to record evidence of illegal hunting with a view to passing this to the police for use in prosecutions. And we will, as ever, be there to prevent our wildlife being tortured and killed in the name of 'sport'. This is something we have done for the past 40 years, and we are not about to give up now.'
The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) today called on the Countryside Alliance to reign in their supporters after violent attacks were launched on saboteurs in different parts of the country. Two saboteurs were attacked whilst attending a meet of the Crawley & Horsham Fox Hounds, who met at Ashington, West Sussex. One 17-year-old saboteur was repeatedly head butted, and had to attend hospital for a suspected broken nose. Elsewhere in Derbyshire, a female hunt saboteur was attacked whilst attending a meet of the High Peak Hunt who met at Flagg, near Buxton. An ambulance was called by police already present, and the saboteur received 5 stitches to a head wound at hospital. Police have arrested one person on suspicion of assault. A further incident came at a meet of the East Sussex and Romney Marsh Fox Hounds where saboteurs present reported a large influx of what were described as 'hunt thugs'. Discreet sabotage of the hunt by those present meant trouble was avoided. These incidents come just one week after a huntsman at the South Devon Fox Hounds was caught on camera attacking a hunt saboteur.
Dawn Preston, a spokesperson for the HSA stated 'Prior to the attack in West Sussex a redcoat (hunt staff member) was heard to say to saboteurs present 'You're all fair game now!'. This outrageous statement confirms what we have known for many years - that the hunters have no regard for life, be it human or animal, and will stop at nothing to try and continue their sordid activities. It looks like the period to February 18th, when the ban takes effect, will be one of the most dangerous for hunt saboteurs up and down the country. But the hunters should take note that we have not come through 40 years of hunt sabotage to give up now, and we will continue to save the lives of hunted animals despite such intimidation and physical injury. If the Countryside Alliance had any conscience they would publicly call on their supporters to cease such violent attacks, but as they lack such basic moral standards we know not to hold our breath on that one.'
She continued 'And so we see, pretty much before the ink is dry on the Hunting Act, the real face of the hunters and their supporters. We have been subjected to both verbal and physical abuse from the bloodsports fraternity since the HSA began some forty years ago, but have never before seen such blatantly displayed violence on such a scale. The attack on the female saboteur in Derbyshire was conducted before the hunt had even left the road from the meeting point! The key thing for the hunters to note in all of this is that despite such attacks saboteurs continue to sabotage hunts. And so it will continue.'
Notes to Editors:
The High Peak Hunt Huntsman, Nigel Cox, was filmed two weeks ago threatening saboteurs and trying to ride them down on a public road. Footage can be viewed at the Northwest HSA Website. Nigel Cox has a previous conviction for firearms offences and was given a 3 year suspended prison sentence in 1985 after he blew a hole in the radiator of an occupied sab minibus with a shotgun. He was also given a conditional discharge for assault (he had struck a sab with the gun) and criminal damage to a camera.
The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) had issued a warning to all groups on Friday to be careful and ensure they carried video cameras.
The South Devon Hunt is known as one of the more peaceful hunts in Devon. As one local protestor said "The South Devon are one of the more peaceful hunt in this area, and they knew we had videos. I hate to think what will happen at the others."
One saboteur was able to identify people involved in the attack for the police and one hunt supporter was arrested on suspicion of assault. Local protestors have heard an unconfirmed rumour that the Master and huntsman, Ian Pearse, has been arrested, along with the hunt's whipper-in. They are rumoured to have been banned from hunting until January as part of their bail conditions.
HSA spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Violence from huntsmen and their supporters is nothing new. Bear this in mind next time the Countryside Alliance try to represent hunting people as helpless law abiding citizens."
Elsewhere, 2 saboteurs were arrested at Peppard Common in Oxfordshire when they saved a fox from the hounds of the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt. They were taken to Abingdon police station and released without charge. The HSA Spokesperson said "In 3 months time, we hope the police will be as pro-active in targeting people who hunt as they have been in targeting those who stop it." He also outlined the HSA official response to the Hunting Bill's progress: "Hunt saboteurs are still not claiming victory yet. It is not over until the Countryside Alliance legal challenge has failed. It is not over until the Act is enforced. It is not over until wildlife goes unpersecuted. It is not over UNTIL THE LAST REDCOAT IS SLUNG IN JAIL."
Notes for editors: Part of the attack in South Devon was caught on video which can be made available.
5 terrier men on quad bikes chased 4 saboteurs across a field. One was able to escape but the gang set upon the other three. Two of them were attacked by 2 men at once and were head butted then punched 7 or 8 times. The saboteurs called the police but they did not attend. When 2 Land Rovers full of known violent hunt supporters from the Northamptonshire area arrived, the saboteurs were forced to leave the area. They were followed as they drove to a nearby police station to log the attack.
One of the saboteurs had to have his ear glued back together at hospital and will return today to check if his nose was broken. When one of the group returned to the scene at about 3 p.m. with police to identify the attackers, the whole hunt had packed up early and left. The saboteurs have been told that police are hoping to make arrests this week for two common assaults and one charge of Actual Bodily Harm.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Our tactics are highly effective at saving animals' lives. As the hunt ban gets closer we have noticed an increase in what appear to be highly organised and pre-meditated attacks on our members. Hunting is all about violence and intimidation - whether to defenceless animals or people who try to save them. This is the truth behind the picture postcard image."
Notes to Editors:
At the prestigious Cattistock Hunt near Abbotsbury, Dorset, a 61 year old GRANDMOTHER was ATTACKED BY A GANG OF HUNT SUPPORTERS when she tried to stop hounds chasing a fox. Hunt saboteur Sheila West was spraying a harmless mix of citronella oil and water along a hedge line when a gang of men attacked her. She was punched and in the ensuing fracas her hand was severely cut on barbed wire fence as she was pushed into it. The incident left her in a state of shock. The other 4 saboteurs present were also pushed around and subjected to threats.
According to one local protestor, "It was lucky the cops showed up, or we all would have got a battering". However, the police refused to arrest any of the perpetrators of the attack and the protesters will be giving statements to Dorset Police in the middle of the week. After the incident, the local Countryside Alliance representative was seen chatting to the officers. As one protestor put it, "There's something fishy when police refuse to arrest hunt supporters breaking the law and then you see them chatting afterwards".
At Bentley, Hampshire, 2 PROTESTORS WERE THREATENED WITH A KNIFE by a Hampshire Hunt supporter. Despite 3 van loads and several 4x4 vehicles of police being present they showed little interest, claiming that "people can do what they like on private land."
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown asked "Is it any surprise that cowardly attacks on small mammals lead to cowardly attacks like this?"
Nathan Brown, speaking on behalf of the HSA said "The scenes we saw outside Parliament today are nothing new - typical of the scenes our members are faced with when they protest in the countryside. Maybe now people will believe what we have been saying for the last 40 years. By putting off implementation of a ban for 18 months to appease foxhunters, the government are legitimising continued violence against animals and anyone who speaks out against it. Hunt saboteurs have been beaten with a variety of weapons, suffered arson attacks, their pets being killed, ridden down by horses and driven over by quad bikes and 4x4 vehicles. Two hunt saboteurs went out to save lives but never returned and our greatest fear is that they will not be the last."
The only saving grace of the delay in the implementation is that deer and hare hunting will face immediate bans after the Parliament Act is used to enact the law. However, it is difficult to understand why fox hunters have been given this reprieve. The cruelty is still the same.
Notes for editors:
The shooting party was discovered by the hunt saboteurs at 9.00am this morning following a tip-off from a local anti-bloodsports supporter. Hunt sabs then followed the shooting party up onto the moor before the shooters were even able to leave their convoy of vehicles.
Unfortunately stewards hired by the shooting syndicate from a company called 'Countrywatch (UK)' took it upon themselves to inflict a vicious assault on a small group of protestors isolated on the moor at Snailsden Moor near Holmfirth, W. Yorks. Such was police concern for the missing protestors, they scrambled the force helicopter to try and locate the injured protestors using a heat-seeking camera. All four protestors were eventually found but were sufferering from head injuries.
A three hour stand off ensued when no shooting took place, during which a large numbers of police arrived, the sabs then left the moor peacefully. Shortly afterwards, at 2.30pm, the shooting party was observed leaving the moor meaning that not one grouse was killed for 'sport'.
Interestingly, all protestors were searched by police using powers under Section 60 of the Public Order Act (no weapons were found), whilst the shooting party and stewards were allowed to leave the moor without police interest.
The victims of the assaults have made statements to W. Yorks police and are awaiting action on the matter.
Notes: Countrywatch (UK) previously provided stewards for a number of foxhunts in Southern England, but discontinued their services after Surrey police confiscated a large cache of weapons from a van hired to the company on its way to a hunt. David Dunn, head of the company was quoted as saying at the time 'business is booming - as long as there is trouble'.
Up to 20 gamekeepers repeatedly tried to start fights and one female saboteur received a broken nose and whiplash injuries as a result of an attack. The police initially took no interest and were even seen driving some of the gamekeepers around. Following remonstrations from the saboteurs, a hunt supporter was eventually arrested. However, enquiries to the police for a crime reference number have proved fruitless. 15 police vehicles, including a police helicopter, attended the hunt and 3 saboteurs were arrested for alleged offences. The protestors, from Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk, claim that hunt supporters were allowed to attack the arrested people as they were being led away. They also claim that the police carried out a baton charge and struck protestors around their legs with batons.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "The activities of the police on Saturday have to be brought under scrutiny especially given the fact that Ditchingham Hall is a large shooting estate owned by Earl Ferrers. We are left wondering if the police were his private security force that day." Earl Ferrers is a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk and Conservative member of the House of Lords. He also lists shooting as a recreation in Debretts.
Mink hunting is an activity taken part in by hunting enthusiasts when foxhunting and harehunting do not take place. It is acknowledged by many wildlife experts to be more damaging to fragile wetland environments than the activities of mink. A report by Suffolk Wildlife Trust on the activities of the Eastern Counties Mink Hounds submitted to the parliamentary Burns Inquiry into Hunting concluded "Our witness ended with the opinion that the disturbance created by the hunt far outweighed the damage done by mink...." A photograph of the saboteur immediately after her nose was broken is available (low resolution copy attached)
A hunt saboteur today agreed to a settlement of £5,500 from Wiltshire Constabulary in respect of a claim for wrongful arrest and subsequent false imprisonment dating to October 2001. The arrest took place at Ham, near Hungerford, and the saboteur was one of a group of 11 protestors who located a pheasant shoot and used non-violent direct action to prevent further shooting*.The remaining 10 protestors are currently in consultation with the solicitors, Irwin Mitchell of Sheffield, with respect to other possible claims. The settlement was reached on the day the case was due to be heard at County Court.
The hunt saboteur, a male aged 27 originally from Bristol but now living in Reading, was arrested by police who attended the scene after the shoot had packed up for lunch. All protestors present were arrested on 'Suspicion of ABH' and held for an average of 10 hours at Swindon West Lea Police Station before being bailed to allow for further police enquiries to be made. Notice was issued in late December by Wiltshire Police to advise all those concerned that no further action was being taken, and it was at this stage that the saboteur decided to take up a civil case against them.
Dawn Preston, a spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, commented 'Here we see a clear-cut case of the police acting simply on the word of the bloodsports fraternity, and not stopping for one minute to consider the evidence in the matter. 11 people in total were deprived of their liberty, with the average time held 10 hours. All too often hunt saboteurs get a very raw deal from the legal system, and for once we're please to report a case of justice winning through, albeit with the need for the saboteur concerned to fight for it! We can only hope that the good men and women of the Wiltshire Constabulary learn from this costly lesson, and take a moment to stop and think about what they are doing in future before simply arresting protestors.'
Notes to Editors:-
*It is standard shoot sabotage practice to simply walk up to the guns on
a static (stationary) shoot and stand next to the person with the
shotgun, as under the British Association of Shooting and Conservation
rules the shooter should immediately break his/her gun and lock it away
- thus preventing further shooting.
Saboteurs at the scene reported the police arresting "anyone they could grab" for alleged Aggravated Trespass. One protestor videoing the arrests had his video tape seized. The fox was dug out and shot in front of the police and remaining saboteurs.
Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesperson, Nathan Brown, said " We hold every policeman present responsible for the torture and death of a wild animal at the hands of the hunt. They could not have helped more short of digging the fox out themselves. The police today made a clear decision whose side they were on and dropped any pretence of unbiased policing. The fact that it happened when the hunt were on the land of a former High Sheriff stinks of corruption."
This will put an end to Surrey Police's cost-saving liaison with hunt saboteurs. The HSA spokesperson added: "This means the end of any co-operation with Surrey Police, and as a result they should expect their policing costs to rocket. Last season, Surrey Police failed to uphold a conviction against any of the many hunt saboteurs they arrested. This is an abuse of power and position to prevent us saving animals' lives."
Notes to Editors:- The arrested protestors were taken to Guildford police station, currently at the centre of allegations of officers committing rape. The owner of the Hampton estate, Bill Biddell, was High Sheriff of Surrey from 2001 to 2002, when he handed over to Penelope Keith. The Hampton estate is due to hold an open day for the Countryside Foundation for Education (CFE) in April. The CFE is an "educational charity" whose trustees include the Chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, Lord Daresbury, and the Master & huntsman of the North Penine Foxhounds, Michael Tones.
2 hunt saboteurs had to receive hospital treatment today after being attacked at a meet of the Essex Foxhounds at Nether Hall, Essex. One was taken to Harlow hospital where he received 4 stitches to a head wound and another had bumps and bruising to his head examined. The protestors state that they were attacked with whip handles when they tried to prevent members of the hunt from digging out a fox that had sought refuge in an earth.
Meanwhile at the Dartmoor Hunt, saboteurs have reported that the entire mounted field attacked sabs less than an hour after the meet, held at Delmore House, Cornwood. One of the sabs was struck repeatedly around the head with the handle of a whip resulting in large bruises. His hand was also damaged when he tried to protect his head. A 17 year-old saboteur was picked up by two riders and dragged down the road. A female saboteur was dragged along by her hair. The incident happened on public access land. When protestors made a complaint to the police, they failed to take action against the violent hunt members, but threatened they would arrest protestors for causing a breach of the peace if they went back on the moor.
Commenting on the violence and police behaviour, Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson said, "These attacks show the true violent side of hunting. The incident on Dartmoor illustrates the bias hunt saboteurs suffer from the police. The police will permit hunters to commit acts of serious public disorder and then use minor aspects of the law to curtail our legitimate right to save animals' lives." At the Hampshire Hunt near Basingstoke on the same day, a hunt horse collapsed and died in a field. It is not just foxes, hares and stags that are casualties of hunting.
Hunt saboteurs attended the kennels of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt this morning (4 Oct) to find that there was no hunt taking place. Local saboteurs were informed by Police Hunt Liaison Officer Sgt Cross that Mr Broise had resigned from his position as huntsman. The move has prompted speculation from hunt saboteurs. A Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson asked "Did he jump or was he pushed?" and went on to say "When hunts use violence against saboteurs it is because our tactics are so effective at saving animals lives. It does not stop us, it makes us more determined and we often respond by swamping a hunt with larger numbers. Although the official line is that Broise has resigned, we believe that the hunt have realised that he is a liability and he was given little choice in the matter."
Notes for editors:
In July, Broise was cleared of criminal charges in July relating to an incident in which 2 saboteurs were taken to hospital. The case received considerable media interest.
Jonathan Broise, based at the Petworth kennels of the hunt, was taken to Chichester police station after he allegedly rode over Wendy Bridle and used his hunting horn as a weapon to strike the face of Paul Loader. Wendy suffered a dislocated shoulder and fractures. Paul received cuts to his face and a smashed tooth.
Local hunt saboteurs claim that Mr Broise is "out of control" and are concerned that if he is not stopped he could kill someone. Last week, Paul Loader made a statement of assault to the police after he was strangled by Broise. In that incident, a live fox was thrown to hounds, breaking the Master of Foxhounds Association's own rules.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson, Nathan Brown, stated "Broise is known well to hunt saboteurs as a violent man. He was cleared in Crown Court of a vicious assault on 2 saboteurs earlier this year. Since then he has acted as if he is untouchable." Referring to the progress of the Hunting Bill through Parliament the spokesperson added, "This incident illustrates that violence against animals and people is all part and parcel of hunting. Hunting groups have publicly made threats to target people opposed to hunting. This is the sort of behaviour pro-hunting members of the House of Lords are protecting."
Hunt saboteur Paul Loder had managed to intervene when 8 hounds from the Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt were mauling a fox at Pithingdean Farm. The fox was obviously still alive and traumatised, nipping at Paul as he carried it to a nearby colleague. Their intention was to get the animal emergency veterinary attention and save its life. Paul was then throttled by a huntsman. Another saboteur on his first protest at a fox hunt, who now held the fox, was attacked by another member of hunt staff and his mobile phone was broken. Once wrestled from the safety of the saboteur's arms, the fox - still alive - was thrown to the waiting pack of hounds.
The protestors have lodged formal complaints of assault and made statements at Pulborough police station. The hunt staff at the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray hunt are infamous among hunt saboteurs for their violent behaviour.
A fox rescued from hounds by saboteurs at the same hunt in February 1999, nicknamed Copper, made headlines when a policeman's helmet was used to block an earth. The vet who subsequently attended Copper confirmed that he was suffering extreme stress from being chased. Copper's case provided firm evidence that hounds do not kill instantly with a "nip to the back of the neck" as claimed by fox hunters and was submitted to the government's Burns Inquiry. HSA spokesperson, Nathan Brown, commented "The hunting fraternity know that their tissue of lies is destroyed every time we save a fox that has been mauled by hounds, or retrieve the carcass. Veterinary examination will show that death by hounds is neither swift nor painless, so huntsmen will use any means to retrieve the animal - including violence."
As the House of Commons takes a historic vote today to ban hunting, the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) has revealed that the bloodsports fraternity are trying to dress up hunting as conservation. The HSA believes this is an attempt to mislead members of the House of Lords considering the Hunting Bill when it passes to the upper chamber.
A newsletter published by the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA) in April 2003 has revealed that the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB) now requires each of its hunts to appoint a 'Conservation Officer'. Harriers and beagles hunt hares, a species that has suffered population decline to the extent that it has its own Species Action Plan as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan to increase numbers. Numbers, however, are still in decline and as the Wildlife Trusts submission to the Burns Inquiry revealed: "There is no conservation reason for controlling hares in mainland Britain. In fact, precisely the opposite is true."
The Hunt Saboteurs Association believes that AMHB is concerned with the survival of their "sport", not conservation, and this move has been made in an attempt to deceive members of the House of Lords and convince them that hare hunting is a matter of preservation rather than persecution. This could be dismissed as conjecture, but we feel an editorial in the December 2002 edition of Hounds magazine reveals the true motive behind the appointment of 'Conservation Officers': "..perhaps their lordships might give greater thought to the debate if the staghound title was left out and the Exmoor Deer Management Group could be based at Exford, the Quantock Deer Management Group at West Bagborough and the Mid-Devon Deer Management Group at Worlington. The Taw Vale Hare Conservation Group are getting listened to in a completely different way to the Taw Vale Beagles, through just a name change." The move to appoint 'Conservation Officers' and repackage hare hunting came 4 months after this article appeared.
The Taw Vale Beagles were established as a hare hunt in 1962 when they were founded by a Master of the Dartmoor Otterhounds. However, between the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 editions of Baily's Hunting Directory their name had been changed to 'Taw Vale Beagles & Conservation Group'. The hare hunt had changed its name in order to repackage itself as a conservation body. However, its principle activity is still that of hunting hares. It is interesting to note that it was founded by a Master of Otterhounds, whose activities contributed to the demise of so many Otters at a time when the Otter population was under extreme pressure. Otter hunting ceased at about the same time they were afforded protected status to prevent their disappearance from the British countryside. An internal Countryside Alliance communication has been intercepted confirming that the Lords is where the hunting fraternity will focus their attention. Published on the day that the Commons vote was announced it states: "There will also be a campaign of letter writing to the House of Lords - all hunts, groups and clubs have had preliminary instructions".
The attempts to dress up hunting as conservation do not only apply to hare hunts. The CHA or the Countryside Alliance may point to a recent study published by the University of Kent that claims to show that there are links between fox hunting and conservation. However, the study was funded by an organisation whose directors are prominent supporters of the Heythrop Hunt which casts a considerable shadow of doubt over the findings.
It is no secret that fox hunts maintain 'coverts'. Dotted about the British countryside are many small woods that are maintained by hunts, many of which are complete with man-made underground chambers designed to encourage foxes to breed. The existence of 'artificial earths', as they are known, is an undisputed fact. In June 1998 two fox cubs were found encaged in an artificial earth with food scraps left for them in a wood belonging to the Sinnington Hunt. In June 2000 an employee of the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt was filmed leaving food for foxes at an artificial earth.
In recent days, it has been revealed how earlier this year an employee of the Cottesmore hunt had placed fox cubs into a recently constructed artificial earth in a covert 'conveniently situated' for the hunt's Opening Meet.
HSA Spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Dressing up hunting as a conservation activity is laughable. Even if the level of conservation carried out by hunts could be shown to be significant, such activities cannot be used as a justification for animal cruelty. Would dog fighting or badger baiting be allowed if the participants went out and planted a few trees? Of course not! So why should people who hunt foxes, hares, deer and mink be allowed to carry out acts of animal cruelty in exchange for maintaining woodland? True conservationists, such as the Wildlife Trusts and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, carry out their work through a genuine desire to conserve wildlife areas, not in return for the right to torture and kill the wildlife that lives within those areas."
The hunting fraternity are also implicated in environmental damage. For example, the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt was responsible for killing 10,000 crayfish when chemicals used to treat mange on their foxhounds polluted a river.
A gallery of pictures of artificial earths is available on the HSA website at http://hsa.enviroweb.org/aseye/huntcon.html
After initial success in stopping the hunt from killing, the hunt saboteurs reported that:
Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesperson Nathan Brown said "The hunt were ruthless in pursuit of foxes today and equally ruthless in their attacks on protestors. On Saturday approximately 20 police officers - including two mounted on horses - were present to stop 5 saboteurs saving animals' lives. There were only 25 riders out on Saturday, almost one officer per hunt rider. When our members were attacked there was no sign of the police. As a result, the victims have no faith that any action will be taken if they report the incidents to them."
The action of the hunt clearly breaches the Master of Foxhounds Association "Code of Conduct" which states that they should only hunt "..the fox in its wild and natural state" (i.e. not bagged) and that "Confrontation with saboteurs should be avoided whenever possible" (i.e. not attacking them). The Code also states that "Holding up" should only be carried out in "Autumn Hunting" not in the full season.
Hunt saboteur Neal, who is too fearful for his young family's safety to reveal his full name, is under no illusions about where the blame lies: "Some hunt supporter has done this because we had such a great day on Saturday at the South Dorset Hunt. They were hunting on the outskirts of town and we stopped them chasing a fox that lives round the back of some people's houses. The huntsman was so angry he lost it completely. He was even swearing at his own supporters."
This is not the first attack Neal has suffered. As well as numerous violent attacks whilst protesting, he has suffered vandalism to his cars, threatening phone calls, dead animals dumped on his doorstep and even a "home visit" from a terrierman armed with a pick axe handle.
In a separate incident on Saturday, a hunt saboteur at the Essex and Suffolk Hunt near Semer, Suffolk was driven into by a hunt supporter armed with an iron bar. He was then forced to cling on for life as the hunt supporter drove at speeds of up to 50mph with the protestor on the bonnet of the car. Half a mile up the road the driver was forced to halt at a cross roads and the saboteur was able to jump clear.
Nathan Brown, on behalf of the Hunt Saboteurs Association said "People who get their kicks from killing animals have shown themselves to have no regard for human life either. Anyone who voices opposition to these rural vandals is bullied or beaten into silence. How dare they whinge about the right to hunt as if it were a human right when they actively try to deny real Human Rights - the Right to Protest and the Right to Life!"
One local saboteur, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, "I can't believe this over policing when early on Saturday morning a 15 year old girl was attacked. They should be trying to catch whoever carried out that attack." Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesperson Nathan Brown added "I am sure that the public, who are largely anti-hunting, would like to see their taxes spent on tackling serious crime not assisting fox hunters. Previously we co-operated with Surrey Police and held regular liaison meetings to reduce the level of money wasted on policing hunts. This year their policy has altered to waste money by serving the hunting fraternity before the public."
Throughout the day, in what appeared to be a pre-planned operation, hunting horns were confiscated from saboteurs under the ruse that they were "offensive weapons". In reality, the copper horns are used to distract the hounds from the fox the hunt is pursuing. The HSA spokesperson said "This was obviously biased policing." During the day there were three arrests as anti-hunt activists tried to ascertain whether the hunt was illegally digging into a badger sett. One hunt monitor was assaulted and subjected to severe pain as police seized her video camera. Instead of being taken away, the protestors were handcuffed, held at the scene for 20 minutes and forced to watch as terriermen dug out and killed a fox whilst hunt supporters laughed and tormented them. One of the protestors said today "It was pure torture being forced to watch what they did to that defenceless animal."A complaint is being made to the Chief Constable of Surrey Police that his officers tortured peaceful protestors.
HSA spokesperson Nathan Brown explained "Based on recent years we know that many traditional venues for the Inglorious Twelfth will not be hosting any shooting. We will still be vigilant. Where they are shooting we aim to stop them."
Studies have blamed gamekeepers for the routine illegal destruction of eggs and shooting of adult birds of prey on Grouse Moors - including the endangered Hen Harrier. Numerous other wildlife crimes have been attributed to gamekeepers such as destruction of badger setts, illegal snaring and poisoning. The HSA spokesperson commented: "Rearing birds to be shot involves wiping out almost everything that moves bar the birds being reared. When the season starts on August 12th, people will pay large sums of money to shoot artificially bred grouse. Grouse shooting involves inflicting cruelty on animals on the moors all year round."
Grouse moors are artificially managed environments that are annually burnt to promote heather growth. As a result, peat run off from the moors dirties water in reservoirs. The water is then cleared using aluminium sulphate- thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. In the past, excessive levels of aluminium sulphate have been found in water supplies in Grouse shooting areas.
Notes to Editors :-
Journalists are invited to join protestors as they scour the moors for the shooting parties in the week following the Twelfth.
Hunt Saboteurs had been using non-violent direct action to prevent the Suffolk Hunt killing foxes on 2 March this year. Martin Nunn, a supporter of the hunt who is also known to help out with kennel duties, attacked a hunt saboteur. When a policeman intervened to halt the attack, he too was assaulted. The incident at Wepstead near Bury St Edmunds was clearly captured on video.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown commented: "Is it any wonder that hunt supporters continue to attack people who protest against them when this is the punishment they receive? Attacks on anti-hunt protestors are frequent and vicious, yet don't seem to receive the same column inches or response from the courts as huntsmen whinging about the 'danger' we pose by blowing a hunting horn. This man attacked someone using their lawful right to protest and then turned on a policeman trying to uphold that right. The light treatment of this man is especially dangerous in the light of the Real Countryside Alliance, which has threatened to break the law and use aggressive disruption. The hunting fraternity often talks about freedoms, yet stifles those who oppose them with violence."
The female protestor's necklace was also broken. Despite the hunt supporter's guilt, she will now receive no compensation for the damage caused.
In the release, intercepted by the Hunt Saboteurs Association, the Alliance claimed that the Three Counties Mink Hounds was attacked by "80 masked hunt saboteurs brandishing hammers and lengths of copper piping". The HSA can reveal that between 25 and 30 people had been in attendance to use non-violent direct action to prevent the hunt from hunting mink and disturbing riverside wildlife habitats. None of the group were carrying weapons. One or 2 who live in rural areas had their faces covered due to fear of reprisals. Also in attendance were 10 vehicles and a helicopter from Warwickshire Police. HSA spokesperson, Nathan Brown, pointed out that there were no searches of vehicles for weapons and no arrests for possession of offensive weapons. He commented "This latest aspect of the dirty tricks campaign waged by the Alliance against anti-hunt protestors is not only an insult to us but also to Warwickshire Police. The police would not stand by if people were carrying weapons".
He went on to say: "The Alliance constantly tries to portray hunt saboteurs as carrying weapons, yet hunt supporters are often photographed in possession of pick axe handles. This latest unfounded claim comes fresh on the heels of a dead fox carcass being dumped at the home of a 15 year old anti-hunt activist in Cornwall, following the launch of the sinister Real Countryside Alliance. This release may be an attempt to divert attention away from the activities of the Real Countryside Alliance. It certainly should not be believed".
"This is typical of the way in which the Alliance exaggerates figures and misleads the public. To claim that 25-30 people are 80 people takes a very active imagination. In the past they have exaggerated employment in hunting and numbers of supporters. Maybe they were looking through those same rose-coloured glasses when they did a head count! We urge Mr Hart to check his facts before misleading members of the government. We are also doubtful that he will be raising the issue of The Real Countryside Alliance and its sinister threats. Is it a case of one law for them and another for us?"
Notes to Editors:-
Alliance claims that 4 people were arrested and 2 were charged by police were also unfounded as only 2 arrests were made and both people were released without charge. The Real Countryside Alliance are believed to be responsible for daubing slogans on roads across the countryside.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown spoke of the incident:
"Just as there is no sense of fair play in the so-called "sport" of foxhunting, when one animal has to pit its wits against 30 or so hounds, 50 or so riders, a huntsman and assorted terrier men, there is no sense of fair play from the hunting fraternity when it comes to democracy and debate." He continued, "Throughout the recent debate on hunting in Parliament and after the vote in Scotland to ban hunting, the hunters have argued about rights. They have exercised their right to protest at various times, and disrupted people going about their normal business, but when we use those same rights to protest against them they seek to silence us with violence. Behind the façade of an oppressed minority that the Countryside Alliance wants to
project, lies a vicious group of people who will silence their opposition by foul means."
The Countryside Alliance recently announced a series of demonstrations titled the "Summer of Discontent". In its 39-year history, members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association have been subjected to frequent assaults by huntsmen and their supporters and 2 hunt saboteurs have been killed.
A hunt saboteur had been trying to stop the hunt chasing a fox when he was punched to the ground by another man, dropping the CB. It was then that Playford deliberately smashed the radio.
Whilst hunt saboteurs welcomed the guilty plea, they were disappointed to receive no compensation for the radio, which will cost around £100 to replace. They were also concerned at the light sentence and the fact that no action has been taken over the assault that took place that day.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson, Nathan Brown said, "Yet again hunting has shown its true nature. Non-violent tactics of hunt saboteurs save animals' lives and are frequently met with attacks and aggression from the bullies in the hunting fraternity. This hunt has a reputation for the violence meted out to protestors. David Reynolds, Master of the Woodland Pytchley hunt, is a prominent member of the Countryside Alliance, who have now threatened a 'summer of discontent' showing total disregard for the democratic process. I fear we will see more attacks on peaceful opponents of hunting."
During the course of the day, hunt saboteurs were using non-violent methods such as blowing horns and spraying harmless scent dullers to prevent the hunt killing foxes. The hunt reacted violently throughout, with one protestor hit over the head with a baseball bat, 3 protestors ridden down, and 6 whipped by hunt riders. A knife was also pulled out by a terrierman and used to threaten the anti-hunt activists. One eyewitness said that when police arrived and attempted to halt the attacks on protestors, they too were ridden at.
After one alleged incident, in which an activist was whipped, a huntsman refused to get off his horse when asked by police. The man, wearing the red coat denoting rank and importance in the hunt, was eventually arrested on suspicion of causing Actual Bodily Harm and Asssault. Officers from Essex Constabulary filmed the incident.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown commented: "Hunt saboteurs were subjected to violence throughout the day. The fact that the arrested man wore a red coat and that the attacks happened when the hunt met at the Senior Joint Master's farm implies that this sort of behaviour is acceptable within the hunt"
The HSA spokesperson pointed to the frequency of attacks against activists:
"This is the 24th incident of violence against anti-hunt activists in the 16 weeks since hunting was resumed after Foot & Mouth restrictions were lifted. There have doubtless been more that we are not aware of. Hunt supporters are showing their true colours - they partake in a violent activity and will react violently to anyone who opposes it. Incidents like the one today
show that hunt supporters are not a respectable minority as they claim, but are thugs, wreckers and bullies."
10 activists from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset had been present throughout the day near Goon Hill Down, Helston where the Cury and Western hunts had converged and prevented the hunts from killing any foxes using non-violent direct action. During the day one saboteur had his ear split open when a hunt official in a red coat whipped him round the head. However, events took an even more serious turn in an alleged incident as the hunt packed up. A group of hunt supporters approached a car driven by one of the activists, smashed up its roof, used a wrecking bar on the body work and then put a pick axe handle though the bonnet. The occupants of the car were lucky not to be seriously injured.
Spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, Nathan Brown, spoke of the incident: "The success of the sabs and the recent vote in the House of Commons must have inflamed tempers. There can be no justification for this aggravated attack which shows that people involved in hunting are far from a respectable minority - they are rural vandals."
The government has announced a 6 month period of consultation to find a 'compromise' between an outright ban and allowing hunting to continue unregulated. Mr Brown continued: "There can be no compromise on the issue of cruelty. The government should honour the wishes of the majority. Two hunt saboteurs have already been killed at hunts, and many others injured. The government should stop wasting time and ban hunting before another protestor loses their life and to stop the pointless slaughter of thousands of foxes, hares and deer."
The saboteurs are making an official complaint at Falmouth police station.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Unfortunately this incident is not out of the ordinary. People in rural areas constantly suffer trespass and, in cases like this, the loss of loved companion animals. Our members have not only witnessed cruelty to foxes and hares but also to the hounds and horses used by hunts. March 18 offers us the chance to stop repeat episodes like this - Come on Parliament, It's time to Ban Hunting!"
On Saturday 2nd March, a horse was injured so badly at the Four Burrow Hunt near Truro that it had to be put down in a Forestry Commission car park, distressing members of the public.
Hunt Saboteurs from Leeds and Sheffield were present at a joint meet of the Bramham Moor and Badsworth hunts at Monk Frystton near Pontefract today, Saturday 2 March. The 2 hunts are being forced to merge next season following regular disruption from protestors. During the afternoon, terriermen bolted a fox from an earth right in front of the protestors, who then succeeded in preventing the hounds from catching it using non-violent tactics such as spraying scent-dullers and blowing horns. A huntsman in a red coat then rode his horse at full speed towards the saboteurs, knocking into one which resulted in a suspected broken arm. The protestor was taken away in an ambulance but later released with severe bruising.
HSA spokesperson Nathan Brown said "I fear that we will see even more violence from the hunting fraternity. They know their days are numbered. A ban is imminent, and in the meantime we will continue to represent the will of the majority, effectively preventing these people from chasing and killing foxes and hares. Strangely the police are slow to arrest the perpetrators of violence against protestors, yet are more than willing to arrest someone just for blowing a hunting horn or running across a field."
He continued to comment on the merger between the hunts, saying "This season will see 3 sets of hunt amalgamations. The Bramham Moor and another hunt that is merging, the Garth & South Berks, have been under constant pressure from hunt saboteurs and it is paying off. If the government won't stop them, we will!"
Notes to Editors: -
More information on the incident today is available from Leeds HSA - Paul 07947 185450
A free vote on the future of hunting will take place in Parliament on 18 March. It is expected to recommend a ban.
This incident is one of 16 recorded incidents perpetrated against anti-hunt protestors since hunting resumed on 17 December.
Incidents have included:
11 years ago this Saturday, on 9 February 1991, Hunt Saboteur Mike Hill was killed by a vehicle belonging to the Cheshire Beagles Hunt. On 3 April 1993, Tom Worby died under the wheels of the Cambridgeshire Foxhounds hound-van. On 1 Sept 2000, hunt saboteur Steve Christmas came close to losing his life when he was run over by a 4x4 at a meet of the Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent Hunt. Steve had to be airlifted from the scene and spent months in intensive care.
Today the Hunt Saboteurs Association called for more appropriate
policing at hunts. Spokesperson Nathan Brown said "We have recently seen
approximately 100 police officers mobilised in Sussex to prevent hunt saboteurs from
blowing horns or spraying the ground with a harmless mix of citronella
oil and water. Meanwhile, no concerted attempt has been made to tackle the
violence dished out to protestors by hunts and their supporters.
"
Taking one day as a snapshot, Saturday 19 January 2002, attacks were made on hunt saboteurs at 5 different hunts across the country showing how widespread the problem is:
If you f***ing get in the f***ing way of my f***ing car again I'm going to f***ing kill you... you 're gonna f***ing die!!"
With the exception of the Woodland Pytchely arrest, police have taken
very little interest. The HSA spokesperson commented "Hunt
saboteurs have always received threats and violence, but this season we
have seen an escalation in the severity of attacks. We are not talking
about a few punches being thrown, we are talking about protestors being run
over. A lot of resources are spent protecting the right of people to hunt, yet
none are spent on protecting our right to protest and, more seriously, our
right to life. This season has been one of the most violent experienced in the
Hunt Saboteurs Association's 39 year history. The fact that nobody was
prosecuted in the cases of Mike Hill, Tom Worby or Steve Christmas has
given hunt supporters the green light to attack saboteurs and has given hunt
protestors very little faith in the legal system. Other than seeing an
increase in prosecutions of hunt thugs, a solution would be for the
government to honour its election pledge and enable Parliament to ban
hunting once and for all.
"
Aside from numerous cases of violence, this season has already seen other incidents such as hunts trespassing on railways, hounds being killed, trespass through villages, and sheep being disturbed during the lambing period. Reports have been received of disturbance by a hunt causing 2 pregnant ewes to abort their lambs.
arrogant, reckless and stupid" after their hounds strayed onto a main train line at Grove, near Wantage in Oxfordshire. The Hunt, who are closing their kennels due to constant sabotage, had been hunting by invitation of the Old Berkshire Hunt.
Hunt saboteurs had spent the early part of the day with the hunt and successfully prevented them from catching 3 foxes when, towards the end of the day, huntsman Peter Swann took his hounds to woods and scrub on the edge of the train line. The line, consisting of four sets of tracks, forms part of the main Reading to Swindon line and serves the West Country and the Midlands.
A fox, which ran along the train line and then crossed it was chased by the hounds. Whilst hunt members were several hundred yards away, hunt saboteurs intervened and tried to stop the hounds running on to the track. They also managed to retrieve some hounds that were already running along the tracks. When the hunt eventually did arrive, their inaction meant that saboteurs had to continue removing the hounds from the line. Minutes earlier, police at the hunt had been informed that a criminal trespass by the hunt was likely and that they should intervene to prevent such an incident.
Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown spoke of the
incident:
"The actions of the hunt today were arrogant, reckless to the extreme and
plain stupid. Hounds have been mown down by Intercity trains before on
countless occasions, yet the huntsman chose to hunt his hounds right
next to the train line. It was only the quick thinking and action of hunt
saboteurs that prevented a potential tragedy. We could have seen the whole pack
killed, or even a major train accident caused by them.
"
When protestors raised the issue with hunt members and the police, a
hunt official allegedly told them "Trains don't run today
". However, 2
trains had already passed the scene in the previous 10 minutes. Mr Brown
continued: "Whether or not a train would have been passing is neither
here nor there. Rail trespass is a criminal offence, and the arrogant
disregard of this fact is typical of the way they treat other people's property in
the countryside. Protestors are reviewing video and still camera footage
taken in order to pursue this matter with Transport Police.
"
I was a hair's breadth from being seriously hurt". Another protestor was kicked in the ribs during the incident. Immediately before the attack, Broise allegedly shouted "
Let's sort this out once and for all". A formal report has been lodged at Midhurst police station.
Mr Wild is one of a group of protestors who have been regularly attending
the Chiddingfold hunt to prevent them from chasing and killing foxes.
Spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, Nathan Brown, commented
"The attendance of hunt saboteurs at the Chiddingfold has obviously had
such an effect that the hunters have turned their attention away from their
traditional quarry and decided to vent their rage and bloodlust on
protestors. It is a miracle that Mr Wild escaped with minor injuries.
A horse can easily crush a person's skull or cause irreparable spinal
damage. I have no doubts that the intention of these people was to kill my
colleague.
"
Jonathan Broise has a history of violence. In February 2001 he received a conditional discharge after head-butting a disabled magistrate. He has also previously received a formal written caution from the police for assaulting a hunt protestor.
This incident follows incidents at 3 separate hunts on Saturday when
hunt saboteurs were driven at by hunt supporters. One protestor was taken to
hospital with a suspected fractured fibia and was almost dragged under
the wheels of a horse trailer. A hunt steward was also arrested on Saturday
after a protestor was attacked at another hunt. Mr Brown added "It is
as if the hunting fraternity has declared war on anyone who dares oppose
them. It is a shame the government does not have the guts to stand up to them and
honour their election pledge to ban hunting.
"
It was only pure luck that I managed to get into the hedge as close as I did and the vehicle missed me. The horse trailer took my legs from under me."
An ambulance was called and he was taken to Treliske hospital with a suspected fractured fibia. Following x-rays he was released from the hospital. The driver of the vehicle did not stop, and despite the incident being a serious "hit and run" incident, police did not arrive for almost 2 hours. One officer at the scene said that it was "difficult to prove it was a deliberate act". The police are still making enquiries.
Two hunt saboteurs have died under the wheels of vehicles driven by huntsmen and a third was recently critically injured. In 1991, Mike Hill died under the wheels of a vehicle belonging to the Cheshire Beagles. In 1993, 15 year-old Tom Worby died under the wheels of a vehicle belonging to the Cambridgeshire Hunt. In September 2000, Steve Christmas was run over at a meet of the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent Hunt, and air-lifted to hospital with a crushed pelvis, four broken ribs and internal bleeding. No-one has been charged.
Nathan Brown commented "When I heard the news that Andy had been run over by a horsebox, I feared that I was going to have to break the news that another sab had been killed. What we have seen happen in the past leads us to have little faith in any prosecution being brought. How many more lives - human and animal - have to be taken before Labour will live up to their manifesto pledge and ban hunting?
"
Local hunt saboteur Clive Richardson said "We have been subjected to abuse from this hunt for years, so it is nothing new, but we are glad that the police are taking this attack seriously. After the incident we successfully prevented a fox from being dug out of an earth and the hunt packed up at 2.15 pm - 2 hours earlier than usual.
"
Nathan Brown, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: "This is an example of the depths to which the hunting fraternity will stoop to prevent hunt saboteurs from saving lives. It is testament to the fact that our tactics have a profound effect on hunts. It is not the first time that hunt stewards have attacked sabs, but we will not be deterred from taking action to save wildlife from being ripped to pieces for fun.
"
In March 2000, 2 hunt stewards were arrested after hunt saboteurs were attacked at the Quorn Hunt, a favourite of Prince Charles. As Master of the Woodland Pytchley Hunt, David Reynolds is responsible for what happens during a day's hunting and would have sanctioned or organised the use of stewards. He is also a Board member of the pro-hunt Countryside Alliance.
Nathan Brown commented further "The Countryside Alliance tries to promote itself as a respectable body, but the behaviour at Mr Reynolds' hunt shows what sort of people the Alliance really are. The fact that violence against hunt saboteurs is tolerated at a hunt run by one of the Alliance Board members sets an example and gives a green light to other hunts to follow suit. They will stop at nothing in their pursuit of terrified wildlife.
"
The bombs were left in woods and near hunting areas in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire in August 2000. At the time the Guardian newspaper ran a story
"Bomb linked to anti-hunt activists" which claimed that hunt saboteurs could be responsible for the devices. The report included the line "A spokeswoman for 721 Explosives Ordnance Depot at Ashchurch said police had indicated they could not rule out hunt saboteurs.
"
Spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, Nathan Brown, stated "We demand public apologies from the Explosives Ordnance Depot for spreading this malicious misinformation, Gloucestershire police for not withdrawing or denying the claim and the Guardian newspaper for running the story without approaching us for a comment.
"
He went on to explain "The Hunt Saboteurs Association has represented hunt saboteurs in this country for 40 years. We are sick of being ignored by the media and tired of being misrepresented as violent. Hunt saboteurs are non-violent and use tactics and intelligence to outwit huntsmen in pursuit of wildlife. We save the lives of hundreds of hunted animals every
year. To suggest that we would wish to endanger life is an insult.
"
The violent attitude of foxhunters has already started to rear its ugly head despite the fact that the hunting season is only a few weeks old. Several incidents over the last week, one including Prince 'not nice, but dim' William, give the lie to the hunters' claim that "confrontation is not the country way". Attacks and intimidation against hunt saboteurs have been reported from the North West, down through Oxford and Northamptonshire to the South East.
Violence broke out once again yesterday on the Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray FH as West Sussex Wildlife Protection activists were attacked by hunt supporters wielding iron bars as they attempted to film the hunt packing up near Midhurst, West Sussex.
The previous week, when the hunt were the only one known to be hunting in the South of England on a Saturday, the most serious offence the police could find to deal with was the alleged absence of DTI licences for CB radios some of the sabs were using. With over 40 hunt saboteurs in attendance, no kills and no violence, the hunt appear to have taken their revenge yesterday.
The four WSWP activists were set upon by CLC supporters armed with iron bars and were forcibly prevented from reaching the safety of a nearby road. Dramatic footage taken by WSWP (stills from the video shown here) shows the supporters attempting to seize the group's video cameras, threatening to give activists the "f**king kicking of your life", and throwing one into a ditch. Throughout the 15 minute incident the CLC supporters threatened and used violence.
One camera is reported to have been damaged in the incident. It comes less than a fortnight after three hunt supporters on the notorious adjacent Crawley & Horsham FH were arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage following an incident during which a hunt monitors' camera was smashed and an anti hunt protester injured. Nicolas Soames MP - so keen to accuse anti hunt campaigners of violence - was seen scuttling away from the scene. The Chiddingfold FH was recently exposed for breaching FMD regulations and is being investigated by DEFRA.
During the sabotage of the Grafton foxhunt in Northamptonshire earlier in the new year, saboteurs split into two groups to stop the Bicester with Whaddon Chase foxhunt also killing. The two hunts were in very close proximity on the day and after one group of sabs made towards the pack of screaming hounds, they realised they had found a different hunt.
The Bicester see themselves as the darlings of the media, but when there are no cameras around, they are one of the nastiest hunts in the South. They count Baroness Mallalieu and Michael Heseltine's daughter as riders, but have also had convicted violent criminals in their ranks. Two hunt supporters were jailed several years ago for their part in an attack with a quad bike which left a sab with serious spinal injuries. Of the sabs attacked at the hunt last week, one of them received head injuries and broken glasses after being punched in the head. Others were threatened by supporters with alsatian dogs.
Video footage of the Sussex incident has been passed to Sussex police. Breath not being held. On previous experience, there would have been no point involving Northamptonshire police!
The call comes after the latest incident where a hound from the South Devon Foxhounds was shot on Boxing Day after breaking its leg, despite offers from hunt saboteurs present to take the animal off the hunt and deal with its veterinary treatment and recovery. The hunt met at Poundsgate on Dartmoor, near Newton Abbot, Devon on Boxing Day and hunt saboteurs were present with them throughout. One saboteur overheard the huntsman saying to another follower that one hound was to be taken back to the kennels and shot, and indeed this did happen, despite the offers from saboteurs to take the animal and deal with its recovery.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated
"This is a pitiful example of how the lives of the hounds are regarded
as totally expendable by the hunt. It doesn't matter to the hunting
fraternity whether the animal concerned is a fox or hound; at the end
of the day they use them for a purpose and have no concern for their
welfare. Hunt saboteurs often witness such needless waste of life as
they are actually in the field with the hunts when incidents occur. For
example we have reported incidents in the past of hounds being killed on
railways lines, drowning in reservoirs after falling through ice, and
even an incident of a beagle being strangled to death after getting
caught in a snare. Had we not been present such horrific incidents would
pass by unheard of, as the hunts themselves certainly wouldn’t admit to
them.
"
She continued "The saboteurs made it clear in this latest incident that
they were willing to take the hound from the hunt and deal with its
treatment, recovery and re-homing; however the huntsman refused point
blank to consider this, choosing instead to simply end the life of what
was probably a loyal and quite young dog. We know that hunting hounds
can successfully be re-homed; the hunts however will never admit this
as it blows one of their emotive arguments against a hunt ban out of the
water; that all hunting hounds would have to be destroyed once a ban is
brought in. We've said it before, and we'll say it again; hunting
hounds can be re-homed, and when the hunt ban comes we will endeavour to
find each and every hound a new home. Unfortunately the hunts will never
accept this fact, and instead will no doubt continue to reward the
loyalty and dedication of their hounds with a bullet in the head.
"
The failure of the criminal justice system to get justice for what hunt saboteurs see as a horrific attack on a hunt saboteur have led to the timely ‘What do we want for Christmas? – JUSTICE!’ campaign being launched. Had Steve not survived the incident he would have become the third hunt saboteur to die whilst simply trying to save the lives of hunted animals.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated
‘Legal advice is currently being sought on the ways forward from here,
and the Crown Prosecution Service, the police and perhaps most
importantly the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Foxhounds (based at
Felbridge, nr East Grinstead, West Sussex) themselves should be aware
that this is certainly not the end of the matter - indeed it is just the
beginning of our fight to get justice for Steve Christmas. Steve's legal
team are currently investigating all options in order to progress the
case, with one possibility being an action under the European Convention
of Human Rights. Article 2 of the Convention states the right to life,
which could be argued to include a right to know that the state will
prosecute those responsible for attacking Steve; as well as Article 3,
the right not to suffer inhuman treatment and Article 8, the right to
respect for private life. Other articles may be relevant, such as the
rights of expression, assembly and not to be discriminated against for
political views. Steve’s dedicated legal team continue to work on the
case and, along with his friends and supporters, they will endeavour to
do their utmost to get justice for him.
'
Steve Christmas was one of a group of hunt saboteurs in attendance at a meet of the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Foxhounds in September 2000, using non-violent direct action in order to save the lives of our hunted wildlife. But instead he almost lost his own life after he was purposefully driven at and run over by an alleged hunt supporter, leaving him with a crushed pelvis, broken ribs and serious internal bleeding. His injuries were so serious that he was air-lifted to hospital where he spent four weeks in intensive care. In total Steve suffered 5 broken ribs, serious internal bleeding, a pelvis broken in 2 places which required a metal plate fitting and had 3 foot of bowel removed. Whilst in hospital he caught MRSA, a hospital super bug which itself nearly killed him, and he also suffered Adult Respiratory Syndrome were the lungs go into shock and stopped working. In short he is still recovering from his injuries today.
The concern of the hunt at the time was duly expressed by a spokesperson who stated ‘It was nothing
to do with us. We were two and a half miles away when it happened
'
(Surrey Mirror, 07/09/00, front page) The police charged the driver of
the vehicle, Martin Maynard, with ‘Grievous Bodily Harm (with Intent)'
together with various driving offences but in September 2001 it was
discovered that the case was not to proceed to full trial.
Notes to Editors:-
Both Steve Christmas and Dawn Preston will be available for interview on
Sunday 2nd December at the Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre at Kensington
Town Hall, London (10am - 4pm). The start of the campaign will be marked
with the sale of special campaign Xmas cards and t-shirts, and the
publication of a new campaign leaflet.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the HSA, commented: "We know from our
extensive records that hunts follow virtually the same routes year after
year from the same meets, so we figured we should use our knowledge and
experience in the hunting field to disinfect the path of the hunt for
them.
" She continued "This would of course help the hunts stay in line
with the DEFRA rules that allow hunting under restriction, and provide a
service to the farmer by decreasing the risk of FMD spreading. An
amazing co-incidence is that disinfectant is also known to be a very
effective scent duller, and as such would mask the scent of any fox or
hare that the hunt chase. Our tactical approach to hunt sabotage needs
little amendment here, as the disinfectant would simply replace the
harmless citronella oil or garlic mix spray that we would normally use
and we already have the "trained staff" to deal with the application of
it!
"
The HSA believes that DEFRA have chosen to ignore the presence of anti-hunt protestors at hunt meets, failed completely to consult with the HSA on the matter of the resumption of hunting, and as yet failed to respond to our letter setting out our real concerns on the matter. Despite this failure on behalf of the Government, the hunting fraternity now seems intent on blaming hunt saboteurs for any problems once hunting does resume.
Indeed fanatical Australian hunter Janet George, a previous Press Officer for the British Field Sports Society (the forerunner to the Countryside Alliance), and who purports to 'speak for the countryside' is now openly advocating violence towards hunt saboteurs on this matter. In her latest rant against both the government and hunt saboteurs she encourages 'farmers' and 'farm workers' to hold down and spray 'followers' who haven"t completed the DEFRA certificates of compliance. This is obviously encouragement for them to physically direct their frustrations at sabs who know only too well how violent these people can be. Still if this does happen, and we doubt sabs will take it lying down, we are sure the hunt officials will note it as an 'unusual event during the hunt' and it will make an interesting report for DEFRA on what hunters are really like.
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