Shocking moment Boxing Day hunt supporters smash blood-soaked dead FOX against saboteurs’ van window

Shocking video footage shows the moment a ‘pro-hunt supporter’ uses a dead fox to batter the window of terrified saboteurs – leaving their vehicle covered in blood. 

The frightening altercation took place on Boxing Day as hunt saboteurs protested against the Badsworth Hunt near Kirk Smeaton in North Yorkshire. 

In video posted on Facebook by Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs, the anti-hunting activists can be seen driving slowly along a road when a man appears to run up behind them holding a dead fox – thought to have been roadkill. 

He then repeatedly smashes the animal against the passenger window as the hunt saboteurs shout ‘they’ve got a dead fox, they got a dead fox’ before exclaiming ‘stop it’ at the animal wielding man. 

North Yorkshire Police has said it is investigating the incident, but that enquiries are at an early stage. 

Speaking to MailOnline, one of the saboteurs inside the vehicle said: ‘The man rushed at us as we tried to leave the area to follow another hunt. 

‘They’d started blocking our vehicle in and then suddenly he came up with this fox and started smashing it against the passenger window. 

‘We had a number of newer members with us and they were a little shook up after the incident. I have been campaigning for around 27 years now so am used to their behaviour.’ 

The saboteur, who wished to remain anonymous, added: ‘There were children around so I’m very surprised by his actions. 

‘Those who don’t go out protesting like we do are often unaware of how aggressive these people can be’.  

Posting their footage on Facebook, the Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs said: ‘Today we decided to spread festive cheer across North Yorkshire with West Yorkshire Hunt sabs. 

‘[Some] were clearly unhappy not to see some actual hunting, so decided to be aggressive and block vehicles in and smash our window with a roadkill fox while also smashing bits off our vehicle.’

The man repeatedly smashes the animal against the passenger window as the hunt saboteurs shout ‘they’ve got a dead fox, they got a dead fox’

North Yorkshire Police has said it is investigating the incident (pictured, the man uses a dead fox to hit the window of the vehicle), but that enquiries are at an early stage

Animal rights activist Charlotte Smith also uploaded photographs and a video to Twitter showing blood across the windows of the group’s vehicle. 

She said: ‘Sheffield Hunt Sabs today got attacked by Hunt support – they repeatedly slammed the body of a deceased fox on the windows of the sab car.’

Wildlife television presented and conservationist Chris Packham was among those condemning the footage. 

He said: ‘If there is anyone in the U.K. left with any ambiguous ideas about whether we should end Foxhunting immediately then watch this . This is the 21st century in a so called civilised country and it’s beyond b***** belief.’

Elsewhere, others commented: ‘No respect for that fox even in its death!’ While another said: ‘This is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen’. 

And another said: ‘Surely everyone must realise how wrong this is. I actually and truly do not understand.’   

Fox hunting was banned in England and Wales following the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004 which came into force a year later.

But drag hunting, where hounds are trained to follow an artificial scent, is permitted under the legislation.

However campaigners are often still seen out in force wearing fox masks and brandishing signs as they called for tougher laws to keep foxes safe. 

North Yorkshire Police confirmed it was investigating an incident in the Kirk Seamton area on Boxing Day. 

A spokesman 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.’