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This video shows the moment a protester is attacked by an alleged Ledbury Hunt worker after they intervened.
The clip shows members of the Bristol Hunt Saboteurs brawling with a man they claim was part of the Ledbury Hunt.
They claimed the “hunting” group chased a fox into a badger sett before the fight broke out.
The clip shows a man leap towards an activist before what appears to be the same male repeatedly punching the sab as he lay on the floor.
The hunt member – who was initially wearing a face covering – can be seen kicking out before running away.
At one point the video, posted to Facebook, fades to black and horses and huntsmen appear in the clip.
The national Hunt Saboteurs Association is appealing for information about the identity of the alleged terrierman to pass to West Mercia Police, which is investigating the claims.
Ledbury Hunt confirmed it has launched an “internal investigation” into the clash and police are also looking into the video.
The video was taken during the Castlemorton meet in Worcestershire at around midday yesterday.
Saboteurs allege the hunt was attempting to “put a fox up” and digging around a “large badger sett where a fox had taken refuge” – but this was not caught on video.
A spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “Hunt Saboteurs were attacked by terrier men from the Ledbury Hunt at their Castlemorton meet on Wednesday December 28th.
“The unprovoked attack happened after hounds from the hunt had chased a fox into a badger sett,” the spokesman continued.
“Sabs intervened to save the fox and were attacked by the hunt employees.
“This footage clearly shows the unprovoked attack on sabs by one of the terriermen.
“He throws a sab to the ground, punches them repeatedly and kicks out at other sabs nearby.
“We are asking for help to identify this man so that we can pass the information on to the police.
“If you know who he is please pm us on Facebook or contact Bristol saboteurs directly via the email address on the video.”
According to its website the Ledbury Hunt can be traced back to 1846 and rides around Ledbury on the Hereford and Gloucestershire border.
The page states: “Prior to the ban on hunting the purpose of taking hounds out was to control the fox population.
“Foxes do a lot of damage to young livestock and poultry.
“In a normal season hounds used to account for an average of sixty brace, equivalent to about two foxes for each hunting day.
“Until the ban on hunting can be overturned hounds will be encouraged to hunt a false trail and sport will continue to be provided using the various exemptions allowed within the law.”
A spokeswoman for the hunt said: “There is an internal hunt investigation regarding the incidents that happened throughout the day, all of which took place on private property.”
A spokeswoman for West Mercia police said: “West Mercia Police is aware of video footage being circulated and officers are investigating to establish the circumstances and who was involved.
“No arrests have been made.”
Hunt Details:
Ledbury Hunt
