Hunt saboteurs who filmed a group of animal rights activists being attacked outside a fox hunt have said the incident was “shocking and deeply disturbing”.
The footage shows the hunt saboteurs being surrounded by a group of men and women who appear to be hunt supporters. The saboteurs are then pushed and shoved, and one of them is punched in the face.
The incident happened outside the Cottesmore Hunt in Rutland on Saturday. The hunt saboteurs were filming the hunt when they were attacked.
The footage has been shared on social media, and it has sparked outrage from animal rights activists. The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) has said that the attack was “a clear case of intimidation and violence” and that it is “unacceptable for people to be attacked for trying to protect animals”.
The HSA has also called for the police to investigate the incident. The police have said that they are aware of the incident and that they are investigating.
The Cottesmore Hunt has said that it “does not condone violence” and that it is “working with the police to identify the people involved in the incident”.
The incident has reignited the debate about fox hunting in the UK. Fox hunting was banned in England and Wales in 2005, but it is still legal in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Animal rights activists have long campaigned for a ban on fox hunting, arguing that it is a cruel and barbaric practice. Hunt supporters argue that fox hunting is a traditional sport that should be allowed to continue.
The debate over fox hunting is likely to continue for some time to come. In the meantime, the incident outside the Cottesmore Hunt is a reminder of the strong feelings that this issue can provoke.
The footage of the incident can be viewed here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62846831.
