HSA news release 9th February 2005

Saboteurs driven at, ridden over, whipped but undeterred at last few hunts

Hunt saboteurs were mowed down by a terrierman on a quad bike and then whipped and ridden over by a huntsman as they tried to stop one of the last legal fox hunts in Essex today.

A terrierman with the Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, who had met at at Bois Hall, Kelvedon, deliberately drove his quad bike into a group of 9 hunt saboteurs as they were on a footpath attempting to stop the hunt from killing foxes.

One of the saboteurs managed to scramble out of the way and received a glancing blow from the vehicle. At the same time, a mounted rider with the hunt, started riding into the group and lashed out with his whip.

Most of the group managed to hide under a tree, but one of the saboteurs was cracked on the head with the rider's whip. When one of the group shouted "Don't hit women", he responded by shouting "I don't give a f*** about hitting women." Another 3 saboteurs were ridden into and whipped by the same rider. as they tried to help their colleague. As the group tried to make their way to safety, one of them lost his footing.

The rider of the quad bike deliberately drove at speed at the saboteur lying on the floor. The saboteur narrowly missed being hit by the wheels of the quad bike but was struck by a wooden box on the front of the vehicle containing terriers used to locate foxes in their earths. A witness said "He very nearly went under the wheels. It was clear that the terrierman's intention was to run him over."

The saboteurs remained in the area, managing to call hounds away from a fox they were chasing. Both wing mirrors of the group's Land Rover were smashed.

The saboteurs logged 3 allegations of assault and one of criminal damage with police at Brentwood police station.

Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said "The wave of violence we have experienced since the Hunting Act was passed serves as a reminder of the torment and violence suffered by the animals who are hunted. It would be naive not to expect to see more trouble before the ban comes in, and after it. We will not be deterred from stopping hunts regardless of whether they are legal or not. "

Notes for Editors:
Eye witnesses and film footage available: North and East London Hunt Sabs - Contact HSA Press Officer, Nathan Brown 07815 313181

Ends

Timeline: the recent wave of violence against anti-hunt protestors since the Hunting Act was passed...

* 18 November 2004
Parliament passes Hunting Bill. Hunting to be illegal on 19th February.
* 20 November
3 saboteurs injured. One has to undergo emergency surgery to save his finger. South Devon Hunt, Devon
* 27 November
Saboteur receives 5 stitches to head wound after attack. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire
17 year old saboteur receives broken nose after repeatedly headbutted. Crawley and Horsham Hunt, West Sussex
* 4 December
Saboteurs threatened by terrierman wearing balaclava. Numerous assaults on saboteurs including a broken nose. Essex Farmers and Union/East Essex Hunt, Essex
* 11 December
Saboteur's wrist broken in 2 places by terrierman. Essex Hunt, Essex Saboteur threatened by hunt supporter in front of police. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire
* 18 December
Saboteur ridden over by hunt rider twice. Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, Essex.
Saboteurs punched and equipment stolen. Attempts made to smash saboteur's van window with log. Van whipped, kicked and thumped. Attempts made to drag saboteurs from van. Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt, Dorset.
* 24 December
2 cars smashed up and dead fox left on passenger seat of car. Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt, West Sussex
* 27 December
Saboteurs threatened with knife. One ridden down. Hunt supporters then armed themselves with iron bars and sticks. Weston and Banwell Harriers, Somerset.
2 saboteurs rugby tackled to ground. Puckeridge Hunt, Suffolk.
* 31 December
12 hunt saboteurs injured by mob of 30 thugs. East Essex Hunt, Essex.
* 1 January 2005
Pregnant woman taken to hospital with head injuries after being whipped and ridden over twice by hunt staff. Essex Hunt, Essex.
* 3 January
Hunt monitor's car destroyed in arson attack. West Sussex
* 4 January
2 saboteurs receive facial injuries and equipment is stolen. Surrey Union Hunt, Surrey.
* 8 January
4 female saboteurs attacked receiving limb injuries / fractures, vehicle badly damaged. Crawley & Horsham Hunt, West Sussex.
* 15 January
Saboteurs threatened and attacked, vehicle damaged. Cotswold Vale Hunt, Gloucestershire.
* 20 January
Hunt supporter armed with a metal spike punctures sab Landrover door, barely missing the driver's leg. Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, Wiltshire
* 22 January
60 year old female aboteurs ridden down - receives head and neck injuries. Dunston Harriers, Norfolk.
* 29 January
2 hunt ‘stewards’ arrested after attack on hunt saboteurs. Avon Vale Fox Hunt, Wiltshire.
* 05 February
2 hunt saboteurs injured, 15 attacked by 30 hunt thugs. East Kent Fox Hunt, Kent.
* 05 February
Hunt saboteurs threatened with violence by hunt followers in front of police, obstruction and theft from motor vehicle ignored. Hampshire Fox Hunt, Hampshire.