Author: unoffensiveadmin

[Image credit: @mendiphuntsabs] 

Fox and Hare hunting season are in full swing. With every hunt sabotage group and monitor group active in some capacity, some being out multiple times a week, there are by far too many reports and hit reports to include here. However, here’s some things we want to mention.  

The first Saturday of the month saw Glasgow Hunt Sabs visit two separate hunts on the same day. They first started with The Border Hunt, who travelled into Scotland for the day, and were limited to hunting with two hounds due to legal restrictions, and followed by the Jed Forest hunt with no kills reported.  Likewise, saboteurs from Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire kept the pressure on the Tedworth Hunt until they packed up, and moved on to the Beaufort Hunt. No kills were also reported.

A member of Mendip Hunt Sabs was beaten up and had equipment stolen whilst with the Mendip Hunt who were digging out a fox who had taken refuge underground in a badger sett.  They reported that the victim was taken to A&E due to concerning swelling around their temple, but was later confirmed to not have sustained any permanent damage. However, the health care professionals stressed that the saboteur was lucky. Despite the attack, the presence of the saboteurs prevented the dig-out and later saw the hunted fox leave to live another day. 

Dangerous behaviour was also seen, reported by North London Hunt Sabs, at a meet of the Puckeridge with Essex Union where one hunt supporter wielded a knife. Also, a pumpkin was thrown at their vehicle whilst in motion, which could’ve easily caused a crass or went through their windscreen, and some mounted hunt supporters attempted to charge and whip people. Regardless, the sab group managed to get on with disrupting the hunt and was also able to dedicate a team to De Burgh & North Essex Bassets along with neighbouring sabotage groups after receiving a tip-off. This hare hunting pack have historically been difficult to track down but were intercepted three times within November.  

Glasgow Hunt Sabs, following their success the previous week, reported that the Jed Forest Hunt had killed a fox in front of saboteurs who were present. Despite the change in legislation in Scotland, putting further limits and conditions on hunting, wild animals will suffer and be killed. In a social media post, the sab group reaffirmed their determination to continue by stating ‘we will not stop until there is an all out ban on fox hunting’.  

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs also experienced a kill whist sabbing the Beaufort Hunt, which was documented using a drone. Knowing how damning this evidence is, the hunt responded by using their own drone to force the sab groups out of the sky. Though they were able to keep the footage, their drone was stolen. Hunting continued following the kill but the sab group confirmed that they were successful in stopping any further kills from taking place. Drones have become an important part of hunt sabotage as well as monitoring and has time and again provided evidence no one can argue with, as seen by West Midlands Hunt Sabs recent published footage of the Dummer Beagles hunting a hare. 

Situations like the ones described above are unpleasant and stressful to say the least. So messages of support are greatly appreciated. It is also worth noting that saboteurs should not have to have to experience violence, traumatic experiences and other difficult situations to prompt support, so we would encourage people to reach out to their local group or elsewhere to thank them for what they do. Donations also help to go a long way!

Any information about hunts or shoots, wildlife killing fundraisers, the location of traps, tools and infrastructure used to kill and anything dodgy or suspicious relating to the interference or ill-treatment of wildlife should be reported to your local hunt sabotage group. Unsure of your local group? Contact the Hunt Saboteurs Association’s tip-off line at 07443148426 or via social media. The smallest bit of information could make the biggest different to wildlife life.

NO LIFE LIKE THE WILD