Huntsmen prove “ready to fight” in attacks on hunt saboteurs

HSA news release 19th October 2002

Today hunt saboteurs were the victims of 3 serious violent attacks:

1. A Hampshire hunt saboteur was almost crushed under the wheels of a Land Rover as he fell while being chased around a field at the Hampshire Hunt. Long Sutton, Hampshire, 8.45 a.m.
2. A Sheffield hunt saboteurs’ windscreen was smashed by a hunt supporter’s riding crop at the Grove & Rufford Hunt. Retford, Notts, 9 a.m.
3. A Dorset saboteur’s car was rammed by a Land Rover and the occupants threatened and attacked at the South Dorset Hunt. Dewlish, Dorset, 1.30 p.m.

   The attacks occurred before the main hunting season, due to start at the end of October. There is speculation that when the main season starts, the violence will escalate. Statements are being made to the police about the incidents.

   Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) spokesperson Nathan Brown said “Two of these incidents involved hunt supporters’ vehicles. When you consider that 2 saboteurs have already died under the wheels of hunt vehicles, it puts these attacks into perspective. When they marched in London, and on numerous other occasions, hunt supporters have been spotted wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan ‘BORN TO HUNT, READY TO FIGHT!’. We now have a clear indication of what this means.”

   The spokesperson drew attention to the near fatal attack on saboteur Steve Christmas who was run over by a hunt supporter in September 2000: “The lack of appropriate action by the CPS in bringing to justice the person who nearly killed Steve has given a green light to violent hunt supporters. A message is being sent out that says it is okay to attack hunt saboteurs or even to try to kill them.”

   Notes to Editors:-

   • Video footage and still grabs available of the incident at the Hampshire Hunt
   • Video available of the incident at the Grove & Rufford
   • Photographs of the damage sustained by the car in Dorset are available.