The South Dorset Hunt is known for its intimidation tactics to try to shake off hunt saboteurs. Its supporters reached a new low on 4 January when men harassed female sabs, and stalked one lone woman as she tried to get to her vehicle.
The hunt spent the day chasing multiple foxes, with Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) protecting the animals by covering their scents with citronella, successfully deterring hounds. Two Counties Hunt Saboteurs also joined to stop the hunt, meaning that there were more feet on the ground, as well as two drones in the air, to prevent kills. WAR photographed deer fleeing from the hunt, as well as hounds causing havoc on a country road.
The South Dorset Hunt uses country roads to follow its so-called 'trail', leaving hounds behind, despite the danger of them being hit by cars. Photo by WAR[/caption]
Given the South Dorset Hunt's track record of intimidation, it is perhaps unsurprising that its supporters turned on the sabs. It goes without saying that men who get kicks from seeing foxes torn up must be sadistic. But their concerted, misogynist attempt to target female sabs is indication of just how depraved they really are.
"The goons had been called in a last ditched attempt by the SD to shed sabs, and their first target was a female sab. They pushed and shoved her around, even though she was on a footpath, and they managed to steal her citronella spray from her and spray her in the face before turning their attentions elsewhere."
The hunt supporters took their actions even further, so intent were they on targeting women. The sabs described how two men, who they identified as Tony Swain and Martin Burgess, then stalked a lone woman who was walking back to the group's Land Rover. WAR reported:
"Now picture this; a women on her own is walking back from a friends house. Then out of the blue a truck pulls up behind her with two male occupants inside. They start to follow her. They don't say anything to her they just pull up behind her and follow her slowly. Now what do you think this lone women would be feeling, fear, anxiety and stress. Do you think she might be wondering what these men want from her? Maybe she's fearing assault, sexual assault or even rape. Ask any women who has been in that situation and you will no doubt get the same answer."
This man, who sabs identified as Tony Swain, was one of two men in a vehicle who stalked a woman on foot. Photo by WAR[/caption]
'I was absolutely terrified'
WAR continued:
"So why did these men in this truck target and stalk this lone woman? They literally turned away from the hunt and the rest of the sabs to follow her and it wasn't just for a few minutes - they followed her for TWENTY MINUTES. As you can see from the drone pic (which sadly had reached its maximum range at this point) she is miles away from anything, she is alone!
In her words 'I was absolutely terrified, I didn't know what they were going to do to me '...."
Weymouth Animal Rights' drone shot
A recent history of intimidation
Protect the Wild has written extensively about the harassment that sabs and monitors have endured at the hands of the South Dorset Hunt. The number of incidents involving violence show how desperate the hunt is to deter people from witnessing their animal abuse. Some notorious events include:
In July 2024, ex-huntsman Josh Tierney was found guilty of causing racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress following a homophobic and xenophobic incident against a WAR sab.
On 26 December 2022, hunt saboteurs woke up to find 17 of their vehicles’ tyres were slashed, in an attempt to stop them from sabbing the notorious Boxing Day meet.
On 20 December 2022, a 77-year-old hunt monitor from Weymouth Animal Rights (WAR) was beaten round the head with an iron bar by SDH supporters as he monitored the hunt.
Please show your support for Weymouth Animal Rights, who work tirelessly to stop this hunt from killing foxes. They face constant intimidation, but will not be deterred. Donate here.
