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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Horrific moment hunt supporter batters dead fox against van filled with protesters

Fox hunting protesters filmed a hunt supporter battering a car with a dead fox in horrific footage.

The incident was captured by Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs, a group who protest organised fox hunts and ensure dogs are not being used to kill foxes - in line with the Hunting Act 2004.

In this year's Boxing Day action, the group drove across North Yorkshire, stopping at the Badsworth's meet.

While still in their vans, one of the activist's captured the hunt supporter running towards the vehicle carrying a dead fox.

He then begins using the fox as a weapon, battering the van's windows with the animal's lifeless body while covering his face to protect his identity.

The man, with a prominent tattoo on his right hand, repeatedly hammers the car to the horror of those inside.

A man in the vehicle can be heard saying: "f**k, they've got  dead fox, they've got dead fox."

Another woman screams "stop it" before they car drives away.

Pictures of the van after the attack show the windows covered in the blood and innards of the fox.

The protesting group took to social media to share footage of the "scum" who launched the attack.

They said: "We decided to spread festive cheer across North Yorkshire.

Blood and remains of the animal left smeared on the window (Facebook)

"First, we stopped off at the Badsworth's meet at Kirk Smeaton.

"Though they are now merged with the YAS and Bramham Moor, they still have separate Boxing Day meets.

"The Badsworth went for a bit of a trot. The local scum were clearly unhappy not to see some actual hunting, so decide to be aggressive and block vehicles in and smash our window with a roadkill fox whilst also smashing bits off our vehicle."

Social media users were horrified by the footage, branding the man "scum of the earth" for his actions.

One Instagram user user said: "Desperate psychopaths. These riders endorse this violence by being there and yet never get prosecuted for ignoring the ban."

Linda Devlin said: "What a scumbag. No respect for the living or the dead. He is clearly deranged."

Another added: "Absolutely shameful. This psychopath has done the pro-hunt community no favours here with his behaviour. I wonder what their reactions will be, I mean why would he even have a dead fox in his possession if they were trail hunting."

North Yorkshire Police are investigating the incident and have been contacted for a comment.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Police are investigating an incident in the Kirk Smeaton area that occurred at about 12pm on 26 December 2019. Enquiries are at an early stage.”

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