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A hunt saboteur was taken to hospital in an ambulance today (Saturday, February 11, 1995) after being ridden down by a Master of Foxhounds at a joint meet of the Fitzwilliam Hunt and the Woodland Pytchley Hunt at Chapel End, Great Gidding, Northants.
While walking along a public footpath near Little Gidding and causing no disruption to the hunt, a saboteur was confronted by DAVID REYNOLDS, Master of the Woodland Pytchley Hunt who rode his horse over him, causing serious internal injureis. The attack took place in full view of the police, who called an ambulance and the Tactical Support Group (TSG) to the scene. Some indication of police priorities can be seen from the fact that the TSG arrived some 20 minutes before the ambulance. Some hunt saboteurs were arrested when the TSG arrived, unlike Mr Reynolds who was allowed to calmly ride away from the scene.
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police later claimed that 10-15 arrests had been made. In fact there were four arrests, of whom 3 were saboteurs and one a hunt steward. Saboteurs pronounced the day a victory as they had ensured that the two hunts between them killed no animals that day.
The injured saboteur has since been released from hospital following treatment but the incident has highlighted the brutality of those who get their kicks from blood.
This is the second violent attack in as many weeks involving the Woodland Pytchley Hunt which numbers Richard Otley (sheep exporter) among its riders. Other supporters of this hunt have been arrested for public order and assault offences and specific saboteurs have been targetted with threats of death and violence and have also suffered damage to vehicles.
Northamptonshire Police have admitted that they no longer have the resources to deal with this kind of problem. We hope that the Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill, which gets its second reading in the Commons on March 3rd will see an end to this barbaric excuse for a sport and none too soon.
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