It’s a sight that nothing can prepare you for; a large number of people dressed in a uniform, usually on horseback, using hounds to hunt down, chase and kill one terrified mammal.
If you were out for a walk in the countryside and came across this stomach churning scene, what would you do?
Recently Wiltshire Hunt Sabs reported that local residents near Salisbury confronted the Tedworth Hunt and forced them to change their hunt meet location. When the hunt arrived at the next location, more locals were there to voice their disapproval. Hunts rely on the goodwill of local people and landowners to facilitate hunting in the area. The more disruption they experience, the increased likelihood that they will avoid that area in the future.
We put together the following list to help you react in the best way to keep yourself safe, while doing all you can to help hunted animals
If you have prior warning of the meet, pass on all the information received to the HSA tip off line on 07443 148 426. Try to let your local sab group know too. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Try to be as specific as possible. Location apps such as What3Words or an OS grid reference are ideal. You can also use a Google Maps pin.
Are the riders wearing a uniform, if so what does it look like? Are there hounds present? Can you see any quad bikes or terriermen? Have you seen an animal being chased? Are the hounds ‘in cry’ (howling) and running quickly in a line?
The hunt may try to tell you they are ‘trail hunting’, they may even produce a rag and start dragging it around! Do not be deceived; read here how hunts use ‘trail hunting’ as a smokescreen for their illegal hunting.
Have the HSA tip off number – 07443 148 426 – in your phone ready, along with that of your local sab group. Pass on the time that you saw the hunt, their location and if possible any video or photos (we will talk about this next).
If you feel that you are in a safe position, i.e. not stood in a road, or being intimidated by hunt supporters, then try to take video or photos of the hunt to pass on to the HSA or your local sab group. If you see fleeing animals try to capture this on video. Even if your footage doesn’t show illegal hunting, it can still be useful for identifying who the hunt were and give helpful information.
If you feel unsafe and are being intimidated by the hunt or their supporters, remove yourself from the situation and call the police on 999 to report their behaviour.
If a hunted animal passes by, slowly crouch down and avoid looking at them. Once they have passed, look to see if any hounds are in pursuit. If so you can deter them from following by standing in front of them and shouting ‘Get back to ‘im’ and/or clapping your hands loudly.
If you know the hunt will be in your area in advance, you can carry a small bottle of citronella spray (citronella essential oil mixed with water) on you. Once the animal has passed by, you can cover their tracks with the spray or if you are in your car, you can drive to cover their tracks with your vehicle. Watch out for hounds who may be nearby.
Avoid pointing out the fleeing animal to the hunt or their supporters, as they may not be aware of the route the animal has taken.
Call 999 to report illegal hunting and have the location to hand.
If you know of others in your local area who oppose the hunt, why not come together to form a group. Facebook pages, such as Locals against the Mendip Farmers Hunt, have helped communities to come together against the hunt and, in this particular case, created a hunt sab group!
You can read more about the tactics used by Hunt Saboteurs in the new book, ‘The Traditional Art Of Hunt Sabotage’. Read more about the tactics manual and the help the HSA Tactics Officer can provide here.
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