Anti-hunt activists’ behaviour in spotlight
Supporters of saboteurs’ social media pages have made sickening comments after the death of a hunt follower
THE behaviour of anti-hunt activists has come under the spotlight again, following vile comments made about the death of a hunt follower.
Jane Goring, 57, suffered fatal injuries while out with the Mid Surrey Farmers’ Draghounds on 7 November.
Mrs Goring was involved in an incident caught on film by hunt saboteurs last autumn, in which a masked man grabbed her horse’s bridle and she appeared to hit him with her whip. She had initially been told she would not face prosecution, but was later told she was facing a private prosecution over the same incident, and was due to go to court in January.
Since her death, a number of vile comments have been made online by followers of sabs’ social media pages.
“The comments made in light of Jane’s tragic death are deplorable and we send our sincere condolences to Jane’s family and friends at this difficult time,” a Countryside Alliance spokesman said.
“As we have always known, the reality is that the anti-hunting movement is far more about the hatred of people who follow hounds than the love of animals.
“The Countryside Alliance strongly condemns online bullying of any kind and has long campaigned to raise awareness of the issue. As a result, we have recently launched a dedicated portal where those who receive online abuse for supporting
country sports can send their evidence.”
Mrs Goring’s close friend Macaylla Rutherford told H&H: “Jane was a hero.
“She had a heart of gold; I lost my mum nine months ago and Jane was my rock. She was my children’s godmother; now they say she’s their fairy godmother and she’s with their nanny.
“She was loved by everyone. Just a normal person; not upperclass, not trying to pretend she was something she wasn’t, she just fitted in everywhere and with everyone.
“It’s all trail-hunting; going out with your horse to have a brilliant day out. Hunting is a community and you all stick together.”
Macaylla added that after the incident, Mrs Goring was subject to vile telephone calls, and had to have police protection outside her house, not to mention the more recent comments online.
“They’re disgusting people; who would write things like that?” Macaylla asked.
“I want everyone to know she wasn’t guilty of anything; she was a legend and a hero.”
On the comments, Lee Moon of the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) told H&H: “We haven’t said anything on the matter, and we will continue not to.”
Asked whether the HSA would condemn the comments, he said he would not “discuss it further”.