WILL THE KILLING EVER STOP.? HARES THIS TIME AND NO KILLING BY ROYAL AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS

 

View this email in your browser Hi,  Student Hare Hunters Feel The Long Arm Of The Law The Royal Agricultural College Beagles are the student hare hunt of the Royal Agricultural University based in Cirencester. They have been feeling the pressure recently, with 7 hunting days lost to sabs so far this season. Frustrated, on Saturday they turned to the age-old hunt tactic of intimidation. RAC Beagles weigh up their options after sabs ruined another meet earlier this season On Saturday (3rd February), a small group from Severn Vale Hunt Saboteurs responded to a tip-off that the RAC Beagles had been spotted in the hamlet of Culkerton. On approach they spotted vehicles of supporters parked along the road watching the beagles in the fields south of Purley Covert, so sabs pulled over to video the hunt as they were finding on the scent line of a hare. And then things got serious. In a pre-planned operation, one four wheel drive full of red-faced young men blocked the sab vehicle in behind while another equally packed truck blocked the escape to the front. Recognising the danger, the police were called. By a quirk of fate, an innocent member of the public pulled up behind the rear vehicle and the thugs' plans had to be abandoned. The vehicle in front pulled out of the way and the sab vehicle was able to drive out of the ambush, only to be pursued by two trucks full of some extremely angry hunt supporters. Fists were waved and their intention of violence was clear, a cudgel clearly visible on the dashboard of the lead vehicle. The sab vehicle was then pursued at speed through Tetbury and onwards towards Malmesbury. All this time sabs were still on the phone to Gloucestershire Police and were able to provide them with a running commentary as events unfolded. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the police arranged for the pursuers to be intercepted. Police pull over hunt thug vehicle After a 20 mile high speed chase, sabs watched as a police truck pulled in front of the lead vehicle, and were gobsmacked to learn that the other car had been stopped by an armed response unit with guns drawn! As we understand, a Section 59 notice was issued to the driver of one vehicle for anti-social behaviour, meaning the vehicle could be confiscated if this is repeated. Elsewhere in the country, Leicestershire Police also issued a Section 59 on a vehicle transporting hired thugs around at the Cottesmore Hunt. And the hunt? They abandoned their attempts at hare killing and had already packed up when sabs from Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs & Bath Hunt Saboteurs, who diverted from sabbing the Beaufort Foxhunt, came past the meet. Severn Vale sabs drove back through once they were done with the police and everything was quiet, confirming that their presence had stopped the RAC from killing. Sabs close in on the RAC Beagles at a meet earlier this season A spokesperson from Severn Vale Hunt Saboteurs said: “Hot on the heels of shutting down the Leadon Vale Basset Hounds, and driving the Severn Vale Beagles so far underground that they may never see the light of day again, it’s the RAC Beagles who have been getting most of our attention recently. Frustrated that they’ve had repeated Saturdays of illegal hunting scuppered, they’ve turned to a tactic they’ve often used in the past, violence and intimidation.   Of course it won’t deter us, and we’ll be back, but the police intervention is unprecedented. The RAC Beagles, and the Beaufort and Vale of White Horse foxhunts whose country they share, have long believed themselves to be untouchable and above the law, free to slaughter our wildlife, assault those that oppose them and that the police are their servants, to be told what to do and when. Today proved that this is no longer the case. We spoke to the officers involved afterwards and it is clear that Gloucestershire Police are intent on pursuing the wildlife criminals that infest the county. We can only hope that other forces follow their lead.” You can support Severn Vale Hunt Saboteurs by following them on social media and donating to their fundraiser here. Find out how you can get involved with our campaign to strengthen the Hunting Ban here. Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Copyright (C) 2024 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe