Hunt sabs from York and East Yorkshire Coast groups were subjected to a violent attack by hunt supporters on 14th January 2026, leaving one individual hospitalised with significant injuries.
The incident occurred during a Middleton Hunt meet at High Belthorpe, Bishop Wilton. The pack was out of control from the outset, with hounds repeatedly ‘rioting’ – chasing non-target animals – across multiple areas including Belthorpe Win, Fox Covert, and near main roads.
The situation escalated in an area known as Hodgson Wood. A hunt supporter approached the sabs’ vehicle, with footage showing him attempting to gain entry to the vehicle, trying to rip off a windscreen wiper, and making threats. When the female driver exited the vehicle to document the damage, she was attacked by the thug who twisted her wrist, pinned her against the vehicle and ignored her pleas to stop.
When a second female saboteur from York Hunt Saboteurs bravely tried to intervene, the thug turned on her, dragging her by the hair, pulling her to the ground and punching her in the face. This attack resulted in a broken cheekbone, split lip, facial swelling, bruising, lacerations and other injuries. Footage revealed that the thug’s daughter, had also assaulted the same sab, delivering multiple blows and pulling her backwards by her snood, which was wrapped around her neck.
A 999 call was made and police are investigating, although they failed to attend the scene. On Saturday, sabs returned to the Middleton in much larger numbers to demonstrate that we will never be deterred by violence.
Local sabs commented,
“This extreme, premeditated violence highlights the desperation of hunt supporters when they are witnessed breaking the law and persecuting wildlife. While our focus was on documenting the hunt’s activities and protecting a fox from being torn apart, their response was to inflict serious physical harm on two women. We were present lawfully, monitoring a hunt with a long history of trespass and law-breaking. The police response so far – a single text message to a seriously injured victim – is utterly unacceptable. We demand a full investigation and appropriate charges for these brutal assaults.”
HSA Press Officer Rowan Hughes added,
“We are shocked and appalled by the injuries sustained in this unprovoked attack. For years, hunts have operated with impunity, while authorities have consistently turned a blind eye to their illegal activities. This escalating violence is the direct result of a culture of lawlessness and entitlement. Hunt supporters now feel emboldened to brutally assault women who stand in their way. This must end. We need a robust police response and, ultimately, a permanent ban on hunting to remove these violent acts from our countryside once and for all.”
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