Concerned Conservationist

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was spot on with his assessment of fox hunting. The people from the Warwickshire Hunt, who I had the misfortune to meet recently, are definitely the unspeakable. Their behaviour during our time observing this hunt in action was appalling from start finish. As well as trying to cover up their bloodlust with lies, they also exhibited some very disturbing and unlawful behaviour. To add insult to injury, they then had the audacity to try and project their behaviours on to those who are brave enough to challenge their law breaking activities in a puerile attempt to make themselves look like the injured party. You really couldn’t make this stuff up, but then we now live in a society where this appears to be the norm and especially from people who are or who perceive themselves to be in positions of power. And when I last looked, bullying, manipulation, gaslighting and intimidation are also definitive traits of a sociopath, which is why Oscar Wilde was so accurate in his summation.

On a wet and muddy Monday, I attended the hunt along with a friend with the aim of observing exactly what does happen. This is the first time I have actively done this, and although I have previously been aware of the despicable behaviour this hunt exhibits, it was still nevertheless shocking to be exposed to it and on the receiving end of vile intimidation and harassment all the while we were there.

Later in the day the Warwickshire Hunt then trespassed on to a smallholding despite having been explicitly told on numerous occasions previously to stay off the land. The smallholding contained rheas and the hunt terrorised the poor birds, resulting in one of them panicking and escaping. The owner was livid and expressed his anger to the joint senior master who refused to engage with him at all. Unspeakable indeed in every sense of the word. Meanwhile, the hunt supporters who have nothing better to do other than harass members of the public with their anti-social behaviour, continued to play their loud music and laugh at the plight of the bird and its owner. Nice people! If they weren’t so tragic, they would be completely laughable. What sad lives they must lead.

Sett blocking is another unspeakable activity this hunt likes to participate in, hard packing badger setts with earth, branches and rocks so that any foxes they pursue cannot go to ground. This means that badgers are also suffering so these unspeakable people can satisfy their bloodlust.

All in all, it was an education, despite me already knowing how barbaric and cruel these people are. The veneer of respectability is quick to pare away when you see them action.

And of our friend the fox? With its habitats being increasingly overdeveloped and what’s left being disturbed by this marauding crowd of sociopaths, I do fear for the future conservation of this species. We need to put a stop to the unspeakable in their full pursuit of the uneatable, especially when killing our wild species is simply for their pleasure.

So if you care about wildlife, and want to be part of the changing tide, get yourself along to your local hunt and just observe and record. I have no doubt you will be subjected to harassment and torment because after all these are the unspeakable, but every one who gets out there and makes a stand will make a difference. And if you do get harassed by childish people playing loud music in your ears, and invading your personal space, please remember this is unlawful and you have every right to ring the police and report them.