Shocking footage shows huntsman beating horse with whip - and another screaming abuse

Shocking footage shows has been released, showing a huntsman violently battering his horse with a whip and a man appearing to scream foul-mouthed death threats at animal activists during a hunt.

West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs captured the distressing video as the Warwickshire Hunt gathered near Broughton, Warwickshire last Wednesday (15 December.

The group claims their footage shows evidence of “death threats, animal abuse and road chaos” as well as a fox being illegally chased across fields.

One member of the hunt can be seen aggressively striking his horse with a riding crop forcing it to recoil as it refuses to cross a wooden bridge.

The footage emerged a day after teacher Sarah Moulds was sacked for punching and kicking a horse during a hunt in a video which caused national outrage.

Another clip shows the saboteurs coming across a man on a country lane who they claim was a supporter watching the hunt.

He is filmed swearing at one of the group in a foul-mouthed “tirade of sexist and threatening abuse” as he confronts the woman holding the camera.

The man can be seen marching over to her and telling her: “You thinking pointing a f***ing camera in my face is going to do a f***ing thing?”

Saboteurs then filmed what appears to be a fox being hunted by hounds and members of the hunt causing traffic chaos as they rode along the busy A4035 road.

A West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs spokesperson said: “With Boxing Day the biggest date on the hunting calendar almost a week away, the Warwickshire Hunt have in this video provided a snapshot of what fox hunting is all about.

“To begin with one rider was filmed whacking his horse hard with his riding crop after it refused to walk over a bridge with him.

“Unfortunately this probably won’t surprise anyone as we all know that fox hunters care little for their animals.

“When you go out abusing one animal, a fox, abusing other animals will become second nature.”

‘Lawful day’s hunting’

A Warwickshire Hunt spokesperson said: “The Warwickshire Hunt was conducting a lawful day’s hunting which has deliberately been portrayed inaccurately by anti-hunting activists.

“The individual filmed, who is not with the hunt, was passing by and while he stopped to watch the hunt he was then followed, filmed, targeted and provoked by individuals from a group that deliberately sabotages our lawful activities, which includes someone criminally convicted for fabricating evidence against a hunt.

“The hunt does not condone violence or threatening behaviour under any circumstances nor should its members have their personal privacy abused.

“Members of the hunt are from a wide cross-section of society, most of whom have animals under their care.

“They are dog and horse lovers with a great deal of experience in looking after their well-being.”

A Warwickshire Police spokeswoman said: "At this time, no reports have been received in relation to these alleged incidents.

"Information can be given on our website www.warwickshire.police.uk or by calling 101.

"We would encourage anyone who witnessed anything or has any original footage in relation to illegal hunting to please formally make contact."

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