Hunt moitors attacked at Old Surrey & Burstow

HUNT SABOTEURS ASSOCIATION
BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX
www.huntsabs.org.uk
Tel: 0845 450 0727

Violent unprovoked attack launched on hunt monitors - 999 call made
One left with broken arm and vehicle badly damaged

For immediate release
3rd February 2007

Hunt monitors present at a meet of the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent Hunt
were today subjected to a horrific unprovoked attack on them and their
vehicle, leaving the driver with a suspected broken arm. The hunt supporters
attacked the vehicle late on in the day, attempting to steal the keys and
when this failed they proceeded to smash all the vehicles windows in an
attempt to get at those inside. A spade was used to smash the driver's
window and then attack the driver, who is now awaiting the results of x-rays
at hospital. The incident happened around 4pm after the hunt had met at
Walter's Green, Fordcombe near Tunbridge Wells.

Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA), stated
'What we have here is a mindless and totally unprovoked attack on people who
were there simply to check that the hunt wasn't hunting illegally. Several
known hunt supporters were involved, including the Terrierman (a member of
staff employed directly by the hunt), and full statements have been made to
the Kent Police, called via a 999 call. An ambulance was also summoned to
the scene to assess the injuries of the driver, and he was taken quickly to
hospital for further investigation.'

She continued 'Around a dozen hunt supporters in total joined the frenzied
attack, attempting at one point to roll the Landrover over, and all the
windows were smashed by the thugs - one can only assume to give them access
to those inside. Luckily the driver managed to somehow get the vehicle away,
as what could have happened if they had gained access to the other monitors
inside doesn't bear thinking about. This hunt are not strangers to media
attention, as back in 2000 a protestor was run over and almost killed at a
hunt meet by an alleged hunt supporter, and this led to a high-profile
campaign against them. We can only assume that as the hunt has been
prevented from hunting wild animals for sport some elements of its support
thought they would have their own fun by hunting the very people who are
their to save lives. They should know that such attacks will never stop us.'

Notes to Editors
· The hunt monitor was taken to the Kent and Sussex Hospital (Tubridge
Wells) by ambulance
· Kent Police responded to the 999 call and are dealing with the
investigation
· The HSA was set up in 1963 and has over 40 years experience of getting
between the hunters and their quarry. Traditionally this was by using
non-violent direct action, but since the Hunting Act the new tool of
sabotage is the video camera, as activists seek to get evidence of illegal
hunting.
· Further information on the HSA and previous press releases can be found at
www.huntsabs.org.uk