Recent News & Press Releases from the HSA Press Office

This page is of Recent News, Press Releases and News Articles. Older News and Press Releases are archived and available by logging on to www.huntsabs-org.uk and scrolling down to the 'News' link near the bottom of the page.

Photographs of these attacks etc mentioned in these News and Press Releases are also available on the above website.

***Saboteurs hope 40th year will be their last Boxing Day protest***
HSA news release 18th December 2003

Hunt saboteurs will be targeting hunts up and down the country this Boxing Day, which marks the 40th anniversary of the first action by the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA). The sabotage of the South Devon Foxhounds meet at Torquay on Boxing Day 1963 with smoke bombs and hunting horns was such a success that the hunt completely called off the day. Some of the tactics are still in use 40 years on, with hunting horns and mimicry of the huntsman's voice calls still being core activities. A recent innovation has been the "gizmo" - an amplified tape recording of hounds in cry that is used to pull them off the scent of the hunted animal.

Hunt saboteurs will also use covert "pre-meet" methods such as laying false trails, using sprays which cover the scent of hunted foxes and hares or unblocking badger setts previously blocked by hunts. HSA spokesperson Nathan Brown explained "As an organisation, we are not interested in playing numbers games at the hunt meets, which are largely attended by people who don't participate in the hunt itself. One hunt saboteur in the right place at the right time can stop a hunt in its tracks.

"Our main focus is saving lives, so some saboteurs will not attend the meet but will be busy in the area to be hunted. Many hunts will not even realise that they have been sabotaged and put it down to a bad day, but we will know that our activities have saved lives. We hope this will be the last Boxing Day we are needed to save foxes and hares from hunts."

Some saboteur groups will join other anti-hunt protestors on traditional banner demonstrations.

Notes to Editors:-
Saboteurs who have been involved with the HSA since it burst onto the scene as the first 'animal rights' organisation 40 years ago can be made available for interview. Interested journalists wishing to cover the activities of hunt saboteurs can make arrangements to meet their local group through the HSA Press Office contact number.

They need to remember:
* Not to leave it to the last minute and make arrangements early (Hint - give us the same respect you show the countryside alliance, and unlike the hapless BBC Points West journalist phoning us at 10 to 11 from the meet, you may get a quote you can print!)
* Hunt saboteurs are there to save lives, not provide a media stunt
* The terrain covered, largely on foot, will be wet and muddy
* The hunt lasts all day and does not end at the meet. Traditionally media coverage just focuses on the meet, not the actual hunting and killing that takes place after. Why not try and be different and show what the hunts do after they move off - blocking roads, riding at protestors, digging out or bolting foxes etc
* It is not just foxhunts who hunt wild animals for fun in this country - Staghunts in the West Country and hare hunts all over the UK will also be out although they are rather less proud of what they do in front of the cameras.

For further information please contact Nathan Brown on 07815 313181

ENDS

***Don't make us do another 40 years, Mr Blair***
HSA news release 25th November 2003

The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) is "cautiously optimistic" that the Bill to ban hunting will be included in tomorrow's Queen's speech. This December marks the 40th anniversary of the HSA.

The Association are having a party at the end of this season and hope to make it a double celebration as it marks the last full season of hunting with hounds before it is banned. Even if a ban on hunting is not mentioned in the Queen's speech, we expect the Parliament Act to still be used.

Nathan Brown, HSA spokesperson, said "They say life begins at 40 and a ban on hunting with hounds would give us a new lease of life to focus on other bloodsports. Many people only heard of hunt saboteurs in the '80s or '90s and don't realise how long we've been about. Michael Howard tried to ban us with Aggravated Trespass clauses in the Criminal Justice Act in 1994 but we kept on saving lives. We have faced criminalisation of our legitimate right to protest and faced extreme violence including the death of 2 sabs. We have faced all this adversity and now we are celebrating the ripe old age of 40."

The HSA started in 1963 when people first used aniseed trails & hunting horns to disrupt hunts in Devon. The realisation that the political process would take a long time and that every day without a ban meant animals being chased and killed is what motivates hunt saboteurs to this day. The HSA spokesperson added "Without our intervention, more than 20,000 animals will be persecuted by hunts every year in the UK until there is a ban. We will be there for the animals, but we hope it will not take another 40 years for the ban that the people of this country want to become law. I would say we want to be out of a job, but despite rumours to the contrary, none of us get paid!"

Hunt saboteur Dave Wetton has been involved since the HSA's inception, has become their unofficial historian, and is more than happy to give interviews reflecting on how things have changed over the last 40 years in the battle to stop bloodsports.

Journalists may also be able to join hunt saboteur groups in action but must accept that the purpose of the day is to save lives rather than provide a media stunt. They will have to come prepared for fast moving action, and the risk of getting wet and muddy!

Notes to Editors:-
* There has been widespread speculation about the inclusion of the Hunting Bill in the Queen's speech
* Hunt saboteurs use non violent tactics to save lives at hunts across the country every week
* 2 hunt saboteurs have been killed and hundreds of others seriously injured by hunters and supporters
* 40 years is a long time to suffer physical attacks, beatings, abuse, arrests, lies and slagging off in the media when all you are trying to do is save a small animal from suffering at the hands of a bunch of inadequate bullies.

For further information contact Nathan Brown 07815 313181

ENDS

***Hunt Saboteurs Beat Living Crap out of Gamekeeper, Hunt Saboteur Assaults Horse - Fact and Fiction Blurred?***
HSA news release 16th November 2003

These were the headlines and mentions we attracted on the BBC and elsewhere this week. One was as a result of a press release put out by the Countryside Alliance (CA) yesterday, and reported through various outlets including the BBC and Teletext, the other was the slanderous reference to us in Radio 4's 'The Archers' after gamekeeper Greg Turner got a beating supposedly by 'a group of sabs'. The fictional element is a strong feature of both in our view.

How likely does it sound to anyone who knows what Hunt Saboteurs actually do (rather than what the Countryside Alliance tell the media we do) that a sab has assaulted a horse? Also, to anyone knowing the history of the Ashford Valley foxhunt and their methods of 'deterring' sabs, the fact that a sab was arrested for allegedly assaulting a hunt supporter will raise an eyebrow or two (although given the past relationship between the hunt and the police, maybe it won't). When a hunt that regularly enlists 5 or more 4x4's full of roving thugs to deal with saboteurs has to allege that they suffered an assault, that's got to be embarrassing.

One interesting aspect of the CA release was that it managed to make the news at all when all the other previous outbreaks of violence at hunts this year have somehow not appeared in the media. They did involve huntsmen and supporters nearly killing sabs - but then, is that news any more?

Now that we have hit the headlines in this way, maybe a journalist might like to look into the truth (shock horror!) of what happens to Hunt Saboteurs when they try to stop hunts from killing. You don't have to follow the polite lines you normally use when contacting hunts to get their sanitised view of hunting with dogs, here are some helpful tips:

* just buy a camo jacket at your local army surplus store,
* put on some clothes that you don't mind getting muddy or ripped on brambles and barbed wire,
* get out of your nice warm 4x4 and into a field near a hunt,
* shout a little or try to blow a hunting horn and generally act like you think a sab might
* ...then see what happens when the hunt and their followers or the police come over for a 'chat'.

If and when you get out of the hospital / police cells drop us a line letting us know how sorry you are for believing the lies and rubbish put out by the our opponents, your colleagues in the media and the police.

Further information from: Nathan Brown, HSA Press Officer 07815313181

'***TESTER' HUNTS BID FOR SUPPORT***

10 October 2003

Hunting enthusiasts will hope to see some new faces this weekend as part of a national initiative to 'dispel the myths' about bloodsports. Five local packs of hounds have already been involved in National Newcomers and Free Hunting Week, the aim being to increase awareness of hunting among the public at large.

Three more introductory hunts, in Cirencester, Bury Hill and Moreton-in-Marsh, have been planned for this Saturday, and organisers hope to win over any sceptics by providing experienced guides and relaxing the traditional dress code.

Nicky Driver, of the Countryside Alliance, said: "Hunting is still seen to be too much of a closed shop - the idea of National Newcomers is to make it easier for people to get involved."Cynics might say that we're trying to get more people hunting because we know it's going to be banned but that's not the case at all. Support for hunting is growing."

Members of the Cotswold Hunt distributed over 1,000 leaflets in Cheltenham last weekend, where, according to Nicky, there was plenty of interest.

"Obviously a few people didn't want to know but they were in the minority. Generally the response was very positive," she said."It's a shame events like this were not held 20 years ago, then we might not have the level of misunderstanding that there is now."

But Dan Sidley, of the Worcester and Birmingham Hunt Saboteurs Association, said newcomers to hunting would not be shown the true picture.

He said: "I doubt very much whether these new people will be told how hounds are shot when they are too old to hunt. I don't expect they'll even be shown a kill."Instead they'll be shown a 'nicely, nicely' approach to hunting. This is a desperate attempt to gather support, but everyone knows it will be banned."

Saturday's hunts take place at Oldborough Farm, Moreton-in-Marsh (7.30am), Cirencester Park (8am) and Heythrop, Bury Hill (8am)

***Huntsman arrested (again) after protestors attacked (again)***

Hunt Saboteurs Associtaion News Release 27th September 2003

A huntsman was arrested this morning at a meet of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt after 2 anti hunt protestors were violently attacked.

3 ambulances and 3 police cars were called to the scene at Graffham in West Sussex.

A huntsman was arrested and taken to Chichester police station after he allegedly rode over 60 year old protestor Wendy Bridle and used his hunting horn as a weapon to strike the face of Paul Loader. Wendy suffered a dislocated shoulder and fractures. Paul received cuts to his head and a smashed tooth.

Local hunt saboteurs claim the hunt is "out of control" and are concerned that if not stopped someone will be killed.

Last week, Paul Loader made a statement to the police alleging assault after he was strangled by one of the huntsmen. In that incident, a live fox was thrown to hounds, breaking the Master of Foxhounds Association's own rules.

Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson, Nathan Brown, commented: "This huntsman is well known to hunt saboteurs as a dangerously violent man. He was cleared in Crown Court of a vicious assault on 2 saboteurs earlier this year after the shocked jury were heavily directed by the judge. His violent and threatening behaviour has been shown repeatedly on National and local television, yet he acts as if he is untouchable. What a credit he must be to the Chiddingfold hunt!"
,br>Referring to the progress of the Hunting Bill through Parliament the spokesperson added, "This incident illustrates that violence against animals and people is all part and parcel of hunting. Hunting groups have publicly made threats to target people opposed to hunting with physical violence. This is the sort of behaviour pro-hunting members of the House of Lords are protecting."

Still and video images are available of Wendy being loaded into the ambulance, Paul's injuries and the huntsman involved.

ENDS

***Saboteurs attacked and live fox thrown to hounds***

Hunt Saboteurs Association News Release 20th September 2003

Hunt saboteurs who had saved a fox from death told how they were attacked and the fox was thrown live to a pack of hounds at a hunt near Pulborough, West Sussex at the weekend (20 September 2003).

Hunt saboteur Paul Loader had managed to intervene when 8 hounds from the Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt were mauling a fox at Pithingdean Farm. The fox was obviously still alive and traumatised, nipping at Paul as he carried it to a nearby colleague. Their intention was to get the animal emergency veterinary attention and save its life.

Paul was then throttled by a huntsman and his finger lacerated on a barbed wire fence as he held the wire. His colleague (a first time saboteur who comes from the United States) grabbed the fox and was attacked by another member of hunt staff and his mobile phone was broken. Once wrestled from the safety of the saboteur's arms, the fox - still alive - was thrown to the waiting pack of hounds.

The protestors have made formal complaints of assault and given statements at Pulborough police station.
,br>The hunt staff at the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray hunt are notorious among hunt saboteurs for their violent behaviour.

A fox rescued from hounds by saboteurs at the same hunt in February 1999, nicknamed Copper, made headlines when a policeman’s helmet was used to block an earth. The vet who subsequently attended Copper confirmed that he was suffering extreme stress from being chased. Copper’s case provided firm evidence that hounds do not kill instantly with a “nip to the back of the neck” as claimed by fox hunters and was submitted to the government’s Burns Inquiry.

HSA spokesperson, Nathan Brown, commented “The hunting fraternity know that their tissue of lies is destroyed every time we save a fox that has been mauled by hounds, or retrieve the carcass. Veterinary examination will show that death by hounds is neither swift nor painless, so huntsmen will use any means to retrieve the animal – including violence.”

The Hunting Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday 16th September

ENDS

***Violence Escalates as Pro-Hunt Lobby Attack protesters (again)

Hunt Saboteurs Association News Release
Date: 31st August 2003

The Hunt Saboteurs Association has made available pictures of the hunt saboteur taken to Chichester hospital with head injuries after he was attacked at a meet of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt yesterday. The still grab from a video shows the saboteur with blood across his face.

Sussex police were called to the incident in which the protestor was attacked by 2 men at Bignor Park, Sussex and have visited the home of a suspect. The protestor was later released from hospital.

On Monday at the neighbouring Crawley & Horsham Hunt a 16 year old boy was attacked and beaten up in a similar incident. He was then issued threats including "We're fed up of talking. You're all gonna be f***ing dead and buried."

Groups of hunt supporters, including the "Real C.A." have made threats to target anti-hunt campaigners and even tamper with water supplies as a ban on hunting gets closer. One huntsman has been quoted in the press as saying that "violence is almost inevitable"(Jim Greenwood quoted in the Guardian 5/7/03)

The Hunt Saboteurs Association's Press Officer, Nathan Brown said "We have always experienced violence from frustrated huntsmen when we stop them killing animals, but it seems that the brutality huntsmen and their supporters are willing to inflict on people and animals has stepped up to a new level."

Notes for anyone interested:-

*A still of the protestor's injuries is available.
*The huntsman of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt, Jonathon Broise, was cleared of assaulting 2 hunt saboteurs in July.
*Lord Egremont and Lady Cowdray are Patrons of the hunt.
*A father and son were charged with assaulting two police officers outside Nantwich Civic Hall in January 2003. Tony Kirkham (58) and his son Timothy (20) both of Ridley Farm, Tarporley, both are keen supporters of the Cheshire Foxhounds and Cheshire Forest Hunt were arrested outside the civic hall, which was staging The Cheshire Foxhounds Farmers Hunt Ball. Both men were charged with actual bodily harm, resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of duty, with Tony Kirkham also charged with threatening behaviour and his son with obstructing a person assisting a constable in the execution of duty. They both appeared at Crewe magistrates in August 2003 and both were found guilty of resisting a police officer and sentenced to 200 hours community service. They were both also found guilty of assault and sentenced to 200 hours community service to run consecutively. They were ordered to pay £300 costs and £50 compensation.
The Hunting Bill is due the Lords Second Reading on Tuesday 16th September

***Hunt supporters issue death threats in attack on protestors***

Hunt Saboteurs Association News Release
Date:  Monday 25 August 2003

"We're fed up of talking.  You're all gonna be f***ing dead and buried."

The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) today warned its members to be on their guard after a group of anti-hunt protestors in Sussex were attacked and threatened.

2 protestors were walking along a public footpath near a cub hunting meet ofthe Crawley and Horsham Hunt at Chuck Farm, Littleworth, when they werejumped by 3 hunt supporters from behind.  One of the protestors, aged 16,was punched in the face, kicked in the ribs, then had a hunting horn rippedfrom his neck, where it was hanging from a bootlace.  The attackers thenwent on to threaten the pair, saying "We're fed up of talking.  You're allgonna be f***ing dead and buried."  At the time of the attack the protestorshad not even attempted to disrupt the hunt.  After the attack the protestorsensured the hunt did not kill from the safety of the road.

The police were called and recovered the stolen hunting horn, after beingshown where it was by men who are suspected to be supporters or employees ofthe hunt.

The HSA fears that this signals a move by militants in the huntingfraternity, whom the Countryside Alliance have admitted they cannot control,to pursue threats of attacks against people opposed to hunting.  HSAspokesperson Nathan Brown provided the organisation's view: "This, the HSA'sfortieth season, could prove to be the most violent we have yet faced.People who engage in cruelty against animals often have the same disregardfor human life.  Surely this adds to the argument that hunting should bebanned.  We are taking this threat seriously but we will not be deterredfrom saving animals' lives."

Notes to Editors:-

The Hunt Saboteurs Association has been using non-violent direct actionagainst hunting since 1963.
2 hunt saboteurs have died at hunts and countless others have been seriouslyinjured.

For further information see website at www.huntsabs.org.uk or contact NathanBrown on 07815 313181.

ENDS

Hunt Saboteurs Association Press Office
All press enquiries - Tel: 07815 313181
PO Box 5254
Northampton NN1 3ZA
Other enquiries 0845 4500727 (24hr ansaphone)

***Persecution of fox cubs starts again***
HSA news release 31st July 2003

The fox cub hunting "season" begins again on 1 August. For fox hunters it means the chance to train young inexperienced fox hounds with the lives of young foxes - For the sake of "sport". For hunt saboteurs it means getting up before dawn to find the hunts and stop them killing - For the sake of wildlife.

Members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) across the country will be staking out kennels and trailing hound vans, or receiving information from locals to establish the whereabouts of the cub hunts. Meets are not advertised as the hunters know what bad publicity these meets generate. The masters and hunt staff will have been told in advance where litters of fox cubs have been living by local farmers and gamekeepers. Then, as the huntsman uses his horn to direct the pack into the woods where the cubs are located, the "sabs" will use hunting horns and holloas to call the pack out - and save the young foxes' lives.

Cub hunting, or "cubbing" as it used to be known before the hunters re-branded it "autumn hunting", often involves the "holding up" of woods. Riders and supporters may surround the wood and make enough noise to prevent the frightened young foxes from leaving the wood whilst encouraging the hounds to stay in there. If the vixen leaves the wood to try to draw the hounds away from her cubs, the hunters will let her go and whip the hounds back into the wood to find the cubs. If the cubs cannot escape, it is only a matter of time before they are mauled by the pack who then receive great praise from the huntsman. This provides training for the younger hounds in how to hunt foxes. Those not showing sufficient promise or inclination to hunt will suffer the same ultimate fate as the fox cubs, albeit with the aid of a bullet.

Nathan Brown, HSA spokesperson, explained the importance of sabotaging cubhunts: "Hunt saboteurs can have a spectacular impact upon the killing ability of a pack of hounds if their training is effectively disrupted. 40% of the foxes that hunts kill are killed during cubbing. That is why we will be there - no matter how early we have to get up!"

"We would like our 40th Season to be our last, and when hunting is outlawed, to see the beginning of a new era of care and respect for this country's wildlife"

Notes for Editors:
The Hunt Saboteurs Association is starting its 40th season of actively and directly saving animals' lives this month.
The main fox hunting season opens at the begining of November.

***Putting the CON in Conservation***
HSA news release 30th June 2003

Same bloodsport, different package - Hunt Saboteurs Association highlights attempt to mislead Parliament

The Hunt Saboteurs Association has revealed that the bloodsports fraternity are trying to dress up hunting as conservation in what it believes is an attempt to mislead members of the House of Lords when they consider the Hunting Bill currently making (very slow) progress through Parliament. A newsletter published by the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA) in April 2003 has revealed that the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB) now requires each of its hunts to appoint a 'Conservation Officer'.

Harriers and beagles hunt hares, a species that has suffered population decline to the extent that it has its own Species Action Plan as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan to increase numbers. Numbers, however, are still in decline and as the Wildlife Trusts submission to the Burns Inquiry revealed: "There is no conservation reason for controlling hares in mainland Britain. In fact, precisely the opposite is true."

The Hunt Saboteurs Association believes that AMHB is concerned with the survival of their sport, not conservation, and this move has been made in an attempt to deceive members of the House of Lords and convince them that hare hunting is a matter of preservation rather than persecution. This could be dismissed as conjecture, but we feel an editorial in the December 2002 edition of Hounds magazine reveals the true motive behind the appointment of 'Conservation Officers': "..perhaps their lordships might give greater thought to the debate if the staghound title was left out and the Exmoor Deer Management Group could be based at Exford, the Quantock Deer Management Group at West Bagborough and the Mid-Devon Deer Management Group at Worlington. The Taw Vale Hare Conservation Group are getting listened to in a completely different way to the Taw Vale Beagles, through just a name change."

The move to appoint 'Conservation Officers' and repackage hare hunting came 4 months after this article appeared.

The Taw Vale Beagles were established as a hare hunt in 1962 when they were founded by a Master of the Dartmoor Otterhounds. However, between the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 editions of Baily’s Hunting Directory their name had been changed to 'Taw Vale Beagles & Conservation Group'. The hare hunt had changed its name in order to repackage itself as a conservation body. However, its principle activity is still that of hunting hares. It is interesting to note that it was founded by a Master of Otterhounds, whose activities contributed to the demise of so many Otters at a time when the Otter population was under extreme pressure. Otter hunting ceased at about the same time they were afforded protected status to prevent their disappearance from the British countryside. An internal Countryside Alliance communication has been intercepted confirming that the Lords is where the hunting fraternity will focus their attention. Published on the day that the Commons vote was announced it states: "There will also be a campaign of letter writing to the House of Lords - all hunts, groups and clubs have had preliminary instructions".

The attempts to dress up hunting as conservation do not only apply to hare hunts. The CHA or the Countryside Alliance may point to a recent study published by the University of Kent that claims to show that there are links between fox hunting and conservation. However, the study was funded by an organisation whose directors are prominent supporters of the Heythrop Hunt which casts a considerable shadow of doubt over the findings.

It is no secret that fox hunts maintain 'coverts'. Dotted about the British countryside are many small woods that are maintained by hunts, many of which are complete with man-made underground chambers designed to encourage foxes to breed. The existence of 'artificial earths', as they are known, is an undisputed fact. In June 1998 two fox cubs were found encaged in an artificial earth with food scraps left for them in a wood belonging to the Sinnington Hunt. In June 2000 an employee of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt was filmed leaving food for foxes at an artificial earth.

In recent days, it has been revealed how earlier this year an employee of the Cottesmore hunt had placed fox cubs into a recently constructed artificial earth in a covert 'conveniently situated' for the hunt’s Opening Meet.

HSA Spokesperson Nathan Brown said "Dressing up hunting as a conservation activity is laughable. Even if the level of conservation carried out by hunts could be shown to be significant, such activities cannot be used as a justification for animal cruelty. Would dog fighting or badger baiting be allowed if the participants went out and planted a few trees? Of course not! So why should people who hunt foxes, hares, deer and mink be allowed to carry out acts of animal cruelty in exchange for maintaining woodland? True conservationists, such as the Wildlife Trusts and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, carry out their work through a genuine desire to conserve wildlife areas, not in return for the right to torture and kill the wildlife that lives within those areas."

The hunting fraternity are also implicated in environmental damage. For example, the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt was responsible for killing 10,000 crayfish when chemicals used to treat mange on their foxhounds polluted a river.

A gallery of artificial earths is available on the HSA website.

Ends.

Notes to Editors:-
Contacts:
Nathan Brown HSA Press Office 07815 313181<