Hunting with dogs - Hunting Act 2004

Shocking moment fox hunter ‘attacks a demonstrator while wielding a whip’

Hunt member gesticulates furiously as saboteur confronts him
Hunt member gesticulates furiously as saboteur confronts him

THIS is the shocking moment a member of a fox hunt appears to attack a demonstrator while wielding a whip.

Police are investigating after footage emerged of an altercation between the man on horseback and a protester.

Leicestershire police have opened an investigation into the altercation between hunter and protestor
Leicestershire police have opened an investigation into the altercation between hunter and protestor

The demonstrator who is filming can be heard warning the huntsman there is a fox ahead and says they should call the hounds away.

The hunter jumps off his horse to confront protester before scuffling with him
The hunter jumps off his horse to confront protester before scuffling with him

But the member of the hunt, who is on horseback, dismisses the claim saying “you think I am going to believe you” before continuing up the road.

The huntsman then rides towards the demonstrator before swearing at him and jumping off his horse.

He can then be seen squaring up to the protester before the pair scuffle.

The member of the hunt, who is carrying a whip, can then be seen pointing angrily at the camera as he shouts “never do that again mate”.

Another huntsman on horseback can also be heard saying: “Take his f****** camera Stewie.”

A huntsman on horseback can also be heard saying off camera: ‘Take his f****** camera Stewie’
A huntsman on horseback can also be heard saying off camera: ‘Take his f****** camera Stewie’

Leicestershire Police has confirmed they are now investigating the 1:58 minute video which was filmed at the Atherstone Hunt in Leicestershire, on Monday afternoon.

A spokesman said: “Police received a call from a man on Monday evening reporting an assault alleged to have taken place that morning in Wellsborough Road, Sheepy Parva.

“A subsequent call relating to the same incident was received at around 2pm on Monday.

“Officers are in the initial stages of their inquiries.”

Atherstone Hunt have found themselves being investigated by police several times in recent years
Atherstone Hunt have found themselves being investigated by police several times in recent years

Atherstone Hunt have found themselves being investigated by police several times in recent years.

In August this year, Warwickshire Police dropped an investigation over the killing of a fox citing a lack of evidence.

The decision was made despite shocking footage showing a fox being ripped apart by their hounds in November last year.

In January this year Leicestershire Police said they were investigating reports a fox had been illegally killed near Market Bosworth, Leic., during a hunt.

Video footage showed the dead fox in the mouth of one of the hounds but it isn’t clear if anything has come of the investigation.

In December last year footage also emerged showing a hunt supporter putting a protester in a headlock during a meeting of Atherstone Hunt.

Laura Caines, 33, of Bedworth, Warks., was later found guilty on two counts of assault by beating after the bust-up.

And in September last year, protesters filmed a hunt steward simulating sex with the body of a dead goose but police decided no criminal offence had taken place.

Hunt Details:
Atherstone Hunt

Source: The Sun