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26th Oct 2022

Shocking footage shows moment anti-hunt activist is mowed down by speeding vehicle

Charlie Herbert

Anti-hunt activist hit by speeding vehicle

Local police are investigating the incident

Shocking footage has been shared online of an anti-hunt activist being struck by a speeding vehicle as they disrupted a hunting meet.

The disturbing incident happened in as Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs attended The Cottesmore Hunt’s opening meet on Ladywood Estate, Leicestershire.

Police said officers were called to Braunston Road in Knossington shortly before 12:00 BST on Tuesday to a report of a hit-and-run crash.

The woman in her 40s, who as facing away from the vehicle when she was hit, was knocked to the ground before being rushed to hospital.

Her injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing, the BBC reports.

Leicestershire Police has confirmed an investigation was launched and that following detectives’ initial enquiries, the driver of the car has been identified by officers.

Footage of the incident was shared on Twitter by the anti-hunt group.

Warning: graphic footage

Detective Inspector Charles Edwards said: “Our investigation into this incident is in its early stages.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area and saw what happened – or who has footage of the incident or events leading up to and after it – to come forward.”

Lee Moon, a spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA), told of how the woman sustained only tissue damage, despite the impact.

He said: “This awful incident happened at the opening meet of the Cottesmore hunt.

”Hunt sabs were present to intervene and save any foxes if they chased by the hunt.

“Suddenly a car came at high speed and ploughed straight into one of the sabs.

“Amazingly the injured woman only has tissue damage as she could easily have been killed.

“The HSA demands that this attempted murder is investigated by Leicestershire Police and we assume that the BHSA will suspend the Cottesmore immediately.

“Even though sabs become desensitized to acts of violence this is a shocking escalation and it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Leicestershire Police on 101 quoting reference 22*623684.

Last year, a follower of Cottesmore Hunt was sacked from her job as a primary school teacher after footage emerged of her punching and kicking a horse.

The Cottesmore Hunt said at the time that they “strongly disapprove” of the woman’s behaviour, adding that she would no longer be involved in the hunt.

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