A brilliant quota of more than sixty sabs, representing nine Hunt Saboteurs Association–affiliated groups, attended the closing meet of the Duke of Beaufort Hunt, with the aim of preventing the Beaufort from killing any more foxes.
Sabs from Bristol, Cirencester, Mendips, Northants, Reading, Three Counties, Two Counties (Somerset and Dorset), Weymouth Animal Rights and Wiltshire, coordinated their efforts and travelled to Upper Chalkley Farm near Hawkesbury following on from yet another fox-kill captured on drone footage the week before.
The drone containing this evidence was subsequently seized by police, who appeared more concerned with alleged hunt complaints than with addressing the barbaric wildlife crime presented to them. However, following significant public pressure after details about the disturbing footage emerged, the police returned both the drone and the evidence to the sabs.
The Beaufort Hunt recently featured on Channel 4 News after being filmed on at least two occasions killing a fox. The news report can be viewed on the following link https://www.channel4.com/news/shocking-footage-reveals-illegal-hound-hunts-in-rural-england
On a separate occasion, footage showed a fox being hunted for several minutes before managing to evade the hounds—on the very same day as one of the confirmed kills. The scenes were so shocking that Channel 4 News senior correspondent described the hunt as “serial killers”, remarking that “one apparent crime a day is not enough for the Beaufort Hunt”, in reference to their relentless pursuit of wildlife. Even after a kill, the hunt was seen pursuing another fox without the slightest pause.
During their closing meet the mounted field appeared significantly reduced. Sabs estimated that around only eighty riders were present—far fewer than in previous years for a hunt historically associated with royalty, aristocracy and the landed elite of the Cotswold’s and North Wiltshire.
Regular high-visibility-clad hunt “stalkers” seemed overwhelmed, moving ineffectively from sab to sab in a futile attempt to track their movements. Even an apparent trip to Screwfix to purchase additional high-vis vests would do little to remedy the situation, as the hunt increasingly struggles to recruit volunteers capable of keeping pace with foot sabs across the challenging terrain. Instead, many lingered ineffectually on a pair of white quad bikes while sab teams ranged freely across fields and hills, frustrating the Beaufort’s attempts to pursue foxes.
Foxes were not the only animals affected. Sabs witnessed numerous deer and hares fleeing the disturbance, often towards nearby busy roads where unsuspecting motorists were unaware of the chaos unfolding in surrounding fields.
With the nearby Cheltenham Festival claiming the lives of four horses, it was perhaps unsurprising to see race goers arriving to join the hunt’s festivities—after all, the exploitation of horses, hounds and wildlife go hand in hand. Among the mounted field were fox hunters visiting from Ireland. Keen to stage an impressive day for their guests, the hunt seemed unprepared for the sheer number of saboteurs present on this otherwise beautiful sunny day.
Frustration quickly became evident as sabs positioned themselves across hills, valleys, coverts and even the skies, hunt activity was surrounded by teams of sabs at every turn.
On several occasions riders deliberately charged at sabs. In one incident within the Duke’s Badminton Estate, a sab from Northants Hunt Sabs was ridden down and injured within the Swangrove area of the estate, requiring ambulance transport and hospital treatment. In another incident, a rider rode into the back of another sab on a public footpath, causing the animal to land on her foot. Such aggression reflects the increasingly limited options available to those determined to continue hunting. Violence is all they have left in their armoury.
Around the time of these incidents, approximately nine or ten police units—many in riot vans—arrived in the area. The hunt’s well-used hotline to police appeared to have been activated. However, after waiting in nearby country lanes for some time, the attending officers appeared largely disengaged and eventually departed.
Throughout the day saboteurs monitored numerous artificial earths (AEs). At one location, sabs encountered terrier-men arriving ahead of the hounds, only for them to realise—much to their frustration—that sab presence had prevented them from blocking the earth before a fleeing fox could reach it.
At another artificial earth, saboteurs discovered freshly dumped offal, apparently intended to attract foxes to use the location regularly. Such tactics allow hunts to ensure a plentiful supply of foxes, to flush them above ground in the morning, predict where those foxes will seek refuge, and to block their escape routes on hunt days.
One particular fox was pursued repeatedly later in the afternoon as the huntsman returned to the same area several times. However, sabs maintained a consistent presence, forcing the hunt to abandon the chase. Eventually packing up at Manor Farm, Oldbury-On-The-Hill at around 5pm.
Sabs were able to stop for a picnic and photo opportunity outside the imposing Worcester Lodge, the grand gateway marking the avenue leading to Badminton House. Sausage rolls and camaraderie were plentiful; the passing hound lorry could muster little more than a few disgruntled V-signs in response.
‘Till the next time.
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