Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

On Tuesday, thirty-one animal rights activists launched a vicious attack on the East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt. The attack left one hunt follower in a serious condition in hospital, and several others injured.

This had nothing to do with protest or sabotage. It was a vicious and unprovoked assault by a group of mindless thugs. No more, no less. Sussex constabulary have arrested seven people from London and Hertfordshire in connection with the incident.

The animal rights movement is dwindling in numbers, but is becoming increasingly extreme. Whether harassing businesses connected to the development of laboratories, threatening farmers and their families or attacking hunts, their tactics are becoming more vindictive and violent.

There is little separating thugs like these from the so-called legitimate animal rights movement. Their shared goals concentrate on hatred of people far more than any concern for animals.

We wish Tim Skinner, the young farmer who was hospitalised, well and have every confidence that the police will bring his attackers to justice.

The Daily Telegraph: Farmer is badly hurt in clash with saboteurs