Hunt Sab activists have long been used to the need to take direct action to stop this barbaric activity taking place. Opponents have often argued, before the ban, that in a democracy people should be allowed to go about their lawful activity and that therefore sabs had no right to intervene. Since the ban the law has been on the side of the sabs and yet hunting with hounds continues and the police have proved reluctant to intervene to stop it.

This should serve as a clear reminder for those who argue for reform through democratic means that justice in modern democracies is not blind, rather it is politically directed. Politically motivated protest is increasingly criminalised and yet no hunt ban law breakers have yet to be convicted. This disparity in the enforcement of laws shows the real interest of the police.

Acts of criminal damage against sabs by supporters (2), have yet to yield any convictions although there has been one arrest ( 3). This should be contrasted with the heavy, proactive intelligence led policing used against sabs before the ban. If the Police and Crown Prosecution Service continue to fail to uphold the law then Hunt Sabs will revert to old direct action techniques to save the lives of helpless animals.

Audio of interview with spokesperson from the Hunt Sabs Association: Link mp3 file