Hundreds of thousands of people have now seen Lake District Hunt Sabs’ drone footage of the Coniston Foxhounds ripping a fox – who sabs have named Ember – to pieces. The footage has been devastating for hunting, proving once again that trail hunting is a cynical lie.
But what about the brave souls who put themselves in harm’s way to expose the vile Coniston Hunt? Read on, as two intrepid members of Lake District Hunt Sabs recall a day they will never forget.
“Tensions were higher than usual that day. This hunt is known to be a bit livelier than the usual crowd who attend the fell hunts. They’re also well known for ‘digging-out’.
The same old hunt antics soon began – their supporters tailing us as we dropped teams off, vehicles blocking roads – but this isn’t our first rodeo. We managed to get where we needed to be quickly.
We kept eyes on huntsman Mike Burton and the hounds – despite the thick fog that covered the valley – as he swept through the valley with the hounds. At one point, when the police arrived, the hunt spent a long time hiding in bushes.
Just as we were switching drones, the hounds went into cry. Everyone’s heart drops to their arse at that sound.“
“When the drone was back in the air, we saw the hunt gathered in an open area with shovels and terriers. In utter disbelief, we watched as they began to dig – fully aware that the drone was above them. The huntsman, Mike, took the hounds away from the area and hid in the bushes again.
Our drone operator narrated what he was seeing while I tried to alert the other teams. We were numb with horror. Step by step, the dig-out continued – as it does every week – but usually we can either stop it, or it’s done out of sight.“
“Everything slowed.
Then came the frenzy: the fox was pulled from the hole, a terrier still latched onto it. A young lad grabbed the fox, fumbling, and then did a strange sideways walk as if trying to hide what he was doing – but failing miserably. We knew where he was going and what was about to happen, but there was absolutely nothing we could do to stop it.
We prayed for a miracle, that somehow the fox would escape his hands. But no.
He used the live fox like a toy in a sick tug-of-war with the hounds. I’ve never seen anything so psychotic. It’s the kind of cruelty you read about in the early stories of serial killers before they move on to humans. Moments later, the horn blew, and the crowd erupted into whoops and cheers – a pack of drooling scum celebrating the kill. It was like something from The Hunger Games.“
“By then I was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably, while our incredible drone pilot somehow kept a steady hand to capture the footage. Then came the grim task of getting it to safety. We knew they’d be waiting on the roads to try to attack us or grab the drone.
We spent a long time making sure both we and the footage were safe before heading back to the road. The police had to escort us to collect the other teams and leave the area. The hunt’s supporters were rabid by this point – blocking roads, shouting abuse, still cheering and swearing, their excitement at the kill disgusting to witness.
We know this footage matters. But the feeling of failure will always haunt me. Every life lost to their sick game will never be forgotten. Their cruelty is their legacy – and that legacy is what drives us to keep fighting.
Rest in eternal peace, Ember.”
“We set off very early to seek out the Coniston Foxhounds from information given. It was a hard eight or so miles trek and climb in the fog, wind, mist and rain.
Just as we were gaining on the “spotters” who were looking down from Wansfell towards Stock Ghyll, where the drone was flying, a text came from the drone flyer’s buddy that the bastards were digging, then another message to say he’s got the fox under his jumper, then the final one to say the hounds had killed it. I was absolutely sickened to the teeth reading these messages out loud to the other sabs walking with me. They were extremely quiet as they digested it.
I’ve done sabbing for seven years now and although I know this goes on up and down the country, I was shocked and disgusted that my poor peers witnessed this first hand. We felt helpless, how did they feel and the poor fox before its horrific death? This has not put me off, it has infuriated me so much that I want to spend every minute I can spoiling their ‘country ways of life’.“
Lake District Hunt Sabs are in action every week, taking on the Coniston Foxhounds and other fell packs, whatever the weather.
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