Who Is The Avon Vale Hunt’s ‘Fifth Man’?

Last Thursday, Channel 4 News screened an extended report on illegal fox hunting in the UK.

One horrifying sequence – supplied to Channel 4 News by the HSA – shows members of the Wiltshire-based Avon Vale Hunt digging a fox from her underground refuge and throwing her to the hounds.

This video led to the conviction of huntsman Stuart Radbourne and whipper-in Oliver Thompson. Inexplicably, animal cruelty charges against the two terriermen – Tom Ledbury and Charlie Ball – were dropped.

However, a fifth man was also present, but has so far evaded justice because he has not been identified. This individual wears the same hunt uniform as Thompson and Radbourne but has a characteristic ‘mullet’ hair style under his riding cap.

The video clearly shows that the Fifth Man is no mere observer of events – he is actively involved in the abuse of the fox. He repeatedly uses his whip to keep the hounds at bay until his colleagues have managed to drag the terrified fox from her refuge.

Once the fox has been thrown into the pack, the Fifth Man stands back and shrieks encouragement to the hounds. He appears to take particular enjoyment in watching the live fox be torn to pieces.

As an active participant in this cruel and illegal act, the Fifth Man needs to be identified.

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence and any information leading to this individual’s identity will be passed to the police.

Please contact the HSA by emailing in confidence here or via our
confidential tip off line: 07443 148 426.

Find out how you can get involved with our campaign to strengthen the Hunting Ban here.