HSA news release 15th January 2005

Cotswold Vale Hunt win most violent hunt of the week award

Hunt saboteurs have told how, on Saturday (15 January), they were repeatedly attacked at the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt near Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire.

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.

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.

Ends.

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