Hunt rider filmed kicking and hitting horse
The RSPCA is investigating after it was alerted to "upsetting" footage of a hunt rider apparently kicking and hitting a horse.
The shocking incident was filmed on Saturday by members of the Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, who tweeted the video on Sunday, drawing attention from conservationist and TV presenter Chris Packham.
Packham shared the video with his half-a-million Twitter followers as the video went viral. He called on the RSPCA to "urgently investigate and prosecute this appalling abuse".
Good afternoon @RSPCA_official as a VP can I call upon you to urgently investigate and definitively prosecute this appalling abuse - thus upholding our standards of animal welfare protection . Thank you . RT pic.twitter.com/x8pZq1vVfo
— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) November 7, 2021
The heartbreaking incident happened during an outing by the Cottesmore Hunt, based in Rutland. The RSPCA, in responding to Packham, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Hi Chris, thanks for getting in touch about the incident involving the poor horse at Cottesmore Hunt. It is really upsetting. We are actively looking into this at the moment and are urging members of the public with first hand info to get in touch too.
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) November 7, 2021
The alleged attacker was named on social media and identified as a school teacher, although this information has not been verified.
Cottesmore Hunt told The Independent it did not condone the actions shown in the video "under any circumstances", and that it "will be reminding all of our supporters that this will not be tolerated".
Packham's Twitter followers shared their views.
Broke my heart a bit when the horse moved their face away from slaps and punches, so it must have hurt, also seems like its been treated like that before. Hideous, and I can't believe in this day and age we are still having to deal with moneyed barbarians. It has to stop.
— Lucy 🇪🇺 💙 (@ScrumptiousBlue) November 7, 2021
What concerns me is, if she behaves like this in public what happens behind closed doors. Very worrying.
— karen 🇬🇧 (@karenpinfold) November 7, 2021
Much of my life is spent with horses. I've seen this kind of behaviour before. Many horse owners can't deal with not being in total control, particularly if they've spent big money for the horse. It is inexcusable. They should be banned from keeping any animal, not just horses.
— Fiona Nouri (@FionaNouri) November 7, 2021
Please look into this, it’s deeply distressing to see any animal being treated in such a dreadful way. This horse needs to be taken away from this person and looked after by someone who will respect it.
— Libby (@LColtman) November 7, 2021
I dread to think what happened to that poor horse when they got home out of the public eye. RSPCA I love you to bits but you need to do more and I think a complaint to the local police is in order as this is animal abuse.
— @The Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve (@the_queslett) November 7, 2021
Lifetime ban from being anywhere near animals hopefully. And fingers crossed that horse finds a new home.
— paul leyshon (@paulleyshon) November 7, 2021
People who mistreat or abuse pets are usually banned from keeping animals. She should face the same penalty. The evidence is there!#AnimalCruelty
— redandgreen2 🏴 🇵🇸 (@redandgreen21) November 7, 2021
