The Hunt Saboteurs Association today condemned the Countryside Alliance for creating the climate of fear and hate which almost led to the death of a hunt saboteur after he was attacked and purposely run-over by a hunt supporter. Steve Christmas had to be airlifted to Haywards Heath Hospital after being run-over by a hunt supporter, who then proceeded to drive back to the spot and taunt the remaining saboteurs who were attempting to help their friend. Both wheels of the 4 x 4 vehicle ran Steve over, and he is currently in Intensive Care with four broken ribs, a totally crushed pelvis and internal bleeding. The incident happened at a meet of the Old Surrey and Burstow Foxhounds who met at Warren Farm, Horsted Keynes, Nr Crawley, West Sussex at 6.30 am this morning.
Steve was one of four people in attendance at the meet to use non-violent direct action in order to prevent the hunt from killing. The four had already been attacked approx 20 mins prior to the incident when the Huntsman (M Bycroft) began whipping them, and three hunt supporters (from the same vehicle which later ran over Steve) started attacking the saboteurs. One saboteur was hit and knocked over by the vehicle as they attempted to leave the field and get back to the road. Despite this initial attack the saboteurs managed to flee the attack and attempted to continue sabotaging the hunt.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated ‘This incident shows both the hunters and hunt supporters blatant disregard for life – whether it be human or animal. It must be a sick and twisted individual indeed who is so fearful of his favourite ‘sport’ being banned that he tries to kill those who seek to prevent him from torturing our wildlife. Do not forget that two hunt saboteurs have already been killed in the last ten years – and at one stage today I was terrified that another name could be added to that list. How many lives have to be lost before we see an end to this abhorrent sport and those that partake of it?’
She continued ‘Although the main fox hunting season does not start until the 1st November the hunt, like others throughout the country, were out cub hunting. This practice aims to teach the new influx of hounds how to hunt as this is not a natural skill, using fox cubs as the quarry, and takes place from late July to the start of the main season in November.
"The Countryside Alliance have attempted to claim that we were in attendance today to disrupt gamekeepers preparing pheasants for the approaching shooting season. This claim has no basis in fact, and I can only assume that they are so ashamed of the fact they hunt innocent and defenceless fox cubs that they seeking to hid the fact from the general public. They have not only failed to condemn the actions of both hunt supporters and hunt staff today but instead actually continue to urge bloodsports supporters to ‘take up the fight’ to save hunting. They should be ashamed, but I doubt they are’.
Hunt saboteurs holding a peaceful demo tonight, to draw attention to the fact a saboteur was almost killed yesterday, came under attack when a member of the hunt staff and another hunt supporter attacked them with pick-axe handles. Around 50 people attended the protest, held at the Old Surrey and Burstow Fox Hound kennels at Felbridge, East Grinstead. Police were in attendance but no arrests were made.
Hunt saboteur Steve Christmas was almost killed yesterday morning whilst sabotaging a cub-hunting meet of the hunt. He had to be air-lifted to hospital with a crushed pelvis, four broken ribs and internal bleeding after being hit and driven over by a hunt supporters vehicle. It is believed that the attack was premeditated. He is currently in Intensive care in Haywards Heath hospital.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, commented ‘Do these people have no shame? Not only did both hunt staff and support attack saboteurs yesterday and almost kill one of them, but today they again resort to violence'.
'Saboteurs are also dismayed at the lack of concern or coverage at the serious attack on Friday, but the cynically disproportionate interest and airtime given to the incident at the hunt kennels - however after years of being slandered and abused, we should not be surprised. So much for the 'great' british press'.
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