Hunt saboteurs: 'Masked men attacked us' (From The Argus)
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Hunt saboteurs: 'Masked men attacked us'
10:11am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News
An anti-foxhunting group claims its members were attacked by masked men for trying to spot animal cruelty.
Police were called to clashes at the Southdown and Eridge Fox Hunt in Firle, near Lewes, on Saturday in which a number of people were hurt.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assault. The Hunt Saboteurs Association said three of its supporters had to go to hospital to be treated for head wounds.
It also claimed its video cameras and glasses had been stolen in what it described as an unprovoked attack. The group monitors fox hunts in the South East to ensure hunters are abiding by the Hunting Act 2004 – legislation that outlaws the hunting of foxes with dogs.
A spokesman for the association said: “Three of our members who were filming the hunt were suddenly confronted and then assaulted by between eight to 10 men, some of whom were masked.
“All three people were punched to the ground where the men proceeded to kick and beat them.”
Matt Fincham, the head of media relations for the Countryside Alliance, said the people involved in the clash had no association with the hunt.
Sussex Police confirmed they had arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of assault.
A force spokesman said: “The man, from Haywards Heath, was arrested around 4pm after an allegation of assault was made following confrontations between hunt protestors and members of the Southdown and Eridge Hunt.
“Earlier in the day, police had been called to Charleston where two people were treated for injuries by ambulance personnel.”
The 28-year-old was questioned before being released on bail until December 3.
Comments(14)
spa301
says...
11:06am Tue 30 Oct 12
This group of masked thugs should be pursued vigorously. Whatever your views there is no excuse for physical violence and theft. Whilst my personal views are not strong enough to assist their cause in person, I would however be willing to attend to help defend their right to monitor this outdated practice without risk of injury.
Fercri Sakes
says...
12:02pm Tue 30 Oct 12
spa301 wrote:Exactly. Are we turning into Iraq?
If the people involved in the clash had no association with the hunt then what were they doing there? Was it their idea of fun?
This group of masked thugs should be pursued vigorously. Whatever your views there is no excuse for physical violence and theft. Whilst my personal views are not strong enough to assist their cause in person, I would however be willing to attend to help defend their right to monitor this outdated practice without risk of injury.
Forget the situation for a second but if ten masked men badly attack three people and steal their belongings this must become a top priority for police resources. It's an organised assault and robbery.
I sometimes go walking near Firle but I'll think I'll stay away now knowing that there's a masked gang of robbers in the area. I'll take my money elsewhere. Shocking stuff.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
says...
4:49pm Tue 30 Oct 12
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
says...
5:24pm Tue 30 Oct 12
John Steed
says...
5:42pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Thatsjustyummy
says...
7:01pm Tue 30 Oct 12
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
says...
8:09pm Tue 30 Oct 12
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
10:25pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Thatsjustyummy wrote:So you're one of them are you - one of the blood thirsty hunting types that thinks it's absolutely your god given right to viciously hunt, maim and maybe kill a defenceless animal even though it's now illegal?
and I'm sure (having dealt with them in the past) that the Sab's behaviour was the epitomy of perfection.
Your type should be removed from society IMO as you are the problem today.
Cash Bull
says...
7:42am Wed 31 Oct 12
spa301
says...
8:49am Wed 31 Oct 12
Cash Bull wrote:Idiot.
I would Hunt Saboteurs.
Cash Bull
says...
2:37pm Wed 31 Oct 12
spa301 wrote:Have a bath and get a life.
Cash Bull wrote:Idiot.
I would Hunt Saboteurs.
spa301
says...
3:12pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Cash Bull wrote:I'm not a hunt sab for your information, just a rational, peaceful, clean, middle aged man thoroughly enjoying my life.
spa301 wrote:Have a bath and get a life.Cash Bull wrote: I would Hunt Saboteurs.Idiot.
Alas I fear you are still an idiot.
Cash Bull
says...
8:14am Thu 1 Nov 12
spa301 wrote:Please, do not be afraid. I am sure that hardly anyone noticed your failure to punctuate your comment correctly, or indeed believed the 'clean and rational' parts of your response.
Cash Bull wrote:I'm not a hunt sab for your information, just a rational, peaceful, clean, middle aged man thoroughly enjoying my life.
spa301 wrote:Have a bath and get a life.Cash Bull wrote: I would Hunt Saboteurs.Idiot.
Alas I fear you are still an idiot.
D360 says...
10:55am Tue 30 Oct 12