DISPATCHES: NORTHANTS WITH MEL BROUGHTON

Hunt Sabs have been all over the news recently in the UK – and big chunks of it very positive. But whilst victories are in sight and morale is high, sabbing is still dangerous and sabs are subjected to untold violence from Hunters, and often without Police backup, although Sabs have the law on their side. Experienced AR activist and recently hospitalised Sabber Mel Broughton reports.

Mel Broughton

HUNT SABS HAVE GOT THE HUNTERS ON THE RUN RIGHT NOW. RIGHT? WHAT’S THE LATEST?

There has been a lot of negative publicity for the hunters recently the most damaging being the webinar expose showing leading members of the hunting world ‘conspiring’ to create a ‘smokescreen’ around trail-hunting. Recent media reports have detailed that one participant has been charged in relation to the webinar discussion. The resulting fall-out of the expose has seen many local authorities banning hunts from land and even private landowners shutting the door on them. We also saw on national T.V. a fox being hunted on private property with the huntsman concerned caught on CCTV throwing the body of the fox to the hounds. None of this will come as any surprise to sabs but to the general public it’s now screamingly obvious that the hunt ban is routinely and knowingly disregarded by hunts everywhere.

ARE NUMBERS UP SINCE COVID? THE HUNT SABS ARE ALWAYS IN THE NEWS, ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND USUALLY SEEM TO BE WINNING.

I think sabs are winning on the ground and on social media. A day barely passes now where the hunters are not on the back foot desperately trying to brush the latest expose under the hedge. I also think more people are coming to sabbing because it’s the one form of fighting animal abuse where your primary activity is ‘direct action’. The hunt saboteurs have always been the group that gave activists their first experience of using direct action to save life and historically it was the gateway for many to become animal liberators. I think the hunt saboteurs are once again seen as the direct action leaders in the animal rights movement and people want to be involved. Of course it’s also obvious to everyone that the refusal of hunts to show any respect for the law and their continued terrorising of wildlife has to be countered by sabs in the field to stop them. I think the public have had enough of seeing hunts getting away with it and sabs have skilfully used social media to not only show illegal hunting happening but also the total arrogance of the huntsman and followers towards anyone who dares to challenge them.

IT’S ALWAYS BEEN DANGEROUS –ARE CASES OF VIOLENCE BY HUNTERS ON THE RISE?

There is often the threat of violence when you go sabbing. Most of the time it comes down to pushing and shoving by hunt stewards (paid servants of the hunt) but actual violence from hunt supporters is not uncommon. I think it’s probably fair to say that there has been a rise in violence used against sabs in recent times. This is in no doubt a response to how successful sabs have been in thwarting attempts by hunts to engage in illegal hunting. Trail-hunting is a lie, always has been. Hunts want to chase a fox and make a kill and their servants in the form of terriermen and stewards are there to facilitate it, (why do you need terriermen at a trail hunt?). Because sabs are so effective at stopping hunters from doing what they want to do they turn on the sabs. The failure of the law to deal with hunters has meant that many hunt followers and staff feel they can attack sabs without consequence. With all the recent media expose of hunt wrong doing the tide may well be begining to turn and hopefully hunt violence towards sabs will be treated much more seriously by the police.

DO YOU THINK WE’LL EVER GET SHOT OF HUNTERS IN THE UK?

I have no doubt we will see the end of organised fox-hunting in the UK and probably not too far in the future now. Other forms of hunting and shooting continue so the job will not be over.

HOW DO PEOPLE JOIN UP AND GET SABBING?

If people want to get involved then they should get in touch with the Hunt Saboteurs Association (www.huntsabs.org. uk) and find out about their local group. Many groups offer training days and you won’t be expected to go running in the field without being buddied up with more experienced sabs. It is also worth talking to people who go sabbing regularly they can help set the scene for you and alleviate any worries you may have. But above all else you will be part of a team who on the day will be out there saving lives.

TALKING OF WHICH, YOU WERE ON THE END OF A REVOLTING ATTACK LAST YEAR. ARE YOU OK?

I am still recovering from the attack made on me in September 2020 by a hunt member of staff. I am still receiving regular physiotherapy and may require a further operation on my shoulder. I received multiple fractures as a result of being ridden down and now have a plate and screws in my collar bone. I count myself lucky that despite my injuries it could have been worse. Many sabs have been seriously injured at the hands of hunters and hunt followers over the years and sadly two have been killed. Despite this the hunt saboteurs have never deviated from their stated aim to save the lives of hunted animals and they never will.

PEOPLE CAN DONATE TOO, AND BUY MERCH AND STUFF?

People get merch at the above or our local group on fb at Northants Hunt Saboteurs.

Website:

www.northantshsa.org.uk

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/NorthantsHuntSaboteurs

Donate:

www.paypal.com/paypalme/ENABS