HSA news release 5th February 2005

Police and Ambulance called as hunt saboteurs ambushed by hunt supporters

The Hunt Saboteurs Association today condemned more violent attacks on their members and restated their determination to continue to sabotage hunt activities where necessary. The call came as around 30 hunt thugs at a meet of the East Kent Fox Hounds, who met at Crundale House, near Ashford, Kent, launched an unprovoked attack on around 15 saboteurs who were present using non-violent direct action to disrupt the hunt. The ambush is believed to have been planned, and happened half way through the day when the saboteurs left open fields and entered woodland. A 999 call to the police and ambulance services was made, and two saboteurs were taken to hospital to treat potentially serious head and arm injuries. Police are investigating the matter with the assistance of hunt saboteurs present.

Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated "Here we are, just 14 days from the Hunting Ban taking effect, and still we see evidence of the hunting fraternity’s sheer inability to get a grasp of reality. For the record, hunting will be banned from the 18th February and violent attacks on our members do nothing to change this fact. The saboteurs attacked today will, injuries willing, be out at the next available opportunity and will do all they can to stop the senseless killing of our wildlife for sport."

She continued ‘The Hunt Saboteurs Association has been sabotaging hunts for over 40 years now. Unfortunately over that time we have been subject to many, many attacks, two of which resulted in the death of hunt saboteurs. Anyone who thinks we are about to give up now in the face on such persistent cowardly attacks is very much mistaken. The Association will remain in existence for as long as is necessary, and we will continue to sabotage hunting activities until such time as these sick individuals decide not to persecute our wildlife. Or indeed the very people who seek to stop such persecution.’

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.

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