Violent reality of fox hunting as saboteurs risk their lives to stop the sport
Across rural Britain, a war is being fought week in and week out between those who hunt foxes and hunt saboteurs - as violent altercations between the two appear to be on the rise.
The dangerous reality of fox hunting, where saboteurs have reported being run over and thrown around fields 'like ragdolls' in a bid to stop illegal practices, has been documented in a new Mirror Exclusive.
It has been illegal in England and Wales to use dogs to chase or kill foxes since 2004 - when Blair's government banned it under the Hunting Act, but a loophole exists which allows for the laying of an artificial scent - usually fox urine - for hounds to chase instead of live foxes. This is what is known as trail hunting and remains perfectly legal.
Sabaterus attend hunts every week to ensure foxes are not being hunted illegally. They claim trails are routinely laid where foxes are likely to be, and when foxes do end up being chased by dogs it can be claimed by hunters to have happened accidentally.
Leicestershire is home to the Cottesmore Hunt - which traces its roots back to around 1666 - and has since become one of the UK's most famous hunts. In recent weeks, violent incidents between hunt supporters and saboteurs at the Cottesmore have put the hunt back into the media spotlight.
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The Mirror attended the Cottesmore to see firsthand the battle in Britain's Countryside. In an exclusive documentary, one saboteur, who chose not to be named, was filmed as she revealed details of the horror attack she encountered while trying to stop terrier men from "hunting foxes illegally".
She told the Mirror: “I’ve been thrown over fences. On the 6th of January I was thrown completely like a ragdoll around the field. You generally know if you're near where the hounds are because the stewards will get or the terrier men will get more violent. They're trying to stop you from filming them hunting foxes illegally."
One of the terrier men is filmed saying: "If you were my wife honestly I swear to God I'll strangle the life out of you. Honestly, I swear to God."
Hunt Saboteur Mel told the Mirror: "Essentially it comes down to a very simple desire to chase and hunt an animal, and kill it. People I'm afraid just draw enjoyment from chasing, hunting and killing."
Footage shows the saboteurs starting their day at the meet - the point from which the hunt sets off. It doesn't take long for them to spot riders and hounds across the fields. As they make their way closer to the hunt, they quickly encounter a silver vehicle filled with three masked men, who begin following them down the country lanes.
One saboteur was 'thrown around' the field like a 'ragdoll' (Daily Mirror)The truck follows closely before overtaking and blocking the saboteurs. Within moments, the hounds appear along with riders. The masked men quickly approach the car and try to block the view of the hunt with their shirts. One of the men says: "I'm achieving your lot stopping filming is what I'm doing. You're not seeing nothing. Why would I answer your stupid questions?"
After a while, police arrive and the saboteurs deem it safe enough to confront the men outside of their vehicle. The interaction quickly becomes heated, with the masked men pushing and threatening saboteurs in front of police officers. Every time the saboteurs try to get near the hunt, they're prevented by the men.
After hours of the same kind of alterations, the hunt ends with the saboteurs not once stepping foot onto the trail.
Saboteur Mel said: "The police have just said clearly and openly that they don't have the numbers to control it - that basically, they can't control these people, which is really worrying when you consider that you have people wearing balaclavas, clearly intent on violence and will to use it - and a police force that is openly admitting they can't deal with it.
The police reportedly told saboteurs they did not have the numbers to control illegal fox hunting (Daily Mirror)"A small minority of people are allowed to, in this case, go out and hunt foxes against the law, illegally and quite blatantly, and people that come out to try and monitor that or stop foxes being hunted are then being told that they have no defence against criminal gangs coming out ready to use serious violence against them", he added.
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Videos uploaded to social media via the Northants Hunt Saboteurs show what they claim is evidence of illegal fox hunting at the Cottesmore. The saboteurs claim violence at the hunts has escalated since the new year, with their windscreens being smashed with a hammer as they tried to evade the masked men.
on January 6, three female saboteurs were filmed being thrown and dragged around the field at the Cottesmore. The incident made national headlines and thrust the hunt back into the spotlight. On February 3, the same female group were met with threats of murder in the presence of police by the masked men.
In a video, one man was heard saying "drag you straight for mud again. We've got permission to throw you off. We've got contracts with all the farmers."
Violent altercations between those who hunt foxes and hunt saboteurs appear to be on the rise (Northants Hunt Saboteurs / SWNS)It's not the first time the hunt has made headlines. In 2021, a member of the Cottesmore Hunt was filmed punching and kicking a horse and a clip of the incident went viral on social media. She was later found not guilty of animal cruelty, then in October 2022, a saboteur was run over by a car at the hunt.
The victim survived with injuries while the attacker pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm - and received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months in order to do 100 hours of community service.
Chief Superintendent Matt Longman, the National Police Chief's council's lead on fox hunting, said in June last year that trail hunting has become a smokescreen for illegal hunts. Speaking to campaigners, he said the Hunting Act is not working effectively and illegal hunting is still common practice.
In October 2021 Mark Hankinson, one of England's most senior Huntsmen, was found guilty of helping and advising huntsmen on how to break the law. Hankinson, who successfully appealed his conviction, told a webinar which was leaked that "it's a lot easier to create a smoke screen if you've got more than one trail layer operating, that's what it's all about trying to portray to the people watching that you're going about your legitimate business."
A spokesperson for Countryside Alliance, one of the UK's most prominent lobby groups for fox hunting, told the Mirror in a statement: “The Countryside Alliance supports lawful hunting activities, including trail hunting, and is against all forms of violence and intimidation, even in the case of extreme provocation. We encourage those with evidence of such offences to make complaints to the police so matters can be investigated appropriately and that those responsible for any illegal activity can be brought to justice appropriately.” Gov polling from 2019 suggests that an overwhelming majority of people across all ages, genders, politics and regions support the ban and fox hunting.
The Cottesmore Hunt did not respond to The Mirror's request for an interview, nor did they respond when asked for comment about the violent altercations and allegations of illegal hunting. As the prospect of an imminent labour government looms at the next general election, there is a strong likelihood that the Hunting Act could be strengthened and the legal loopholes closed.
Steve Reed, The Shadow Environment Secretary, announced that the Labour Party will implement a full ban on trail and drag hunting which could spell the end of fox hunting in the UK for good.
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