A video of a woman kicking and punching a horse in public is being shared across social media.
Anti-hunting group Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs originally shared the video on Twitter. The accompanying message read:
“Yesterday we filmed a Cottesmore Hunt rider kicking and punching her horse in the face. Watched by lackeys Will Ashmore and son Ed. Violence running through their veins.”
The woman in the video is believed – as mentioned above – to have been part of The Cottesmore Hunt; a foxhunt that takes place in Leicestershire.
Following the popularity of the video online, the Hertforshire Hunt Saboteurs released a statement on Facebook:
Hunt ‘stewards’ Will and Edward Ashmore watched on from their quad with cold eyes, unmoved, uncaring and did absolutely nothing to stop her – only warning her we were filming when they realised.
The group also claimed that the hunters had birds with them as prey.
Yesterday we filmed a @CottesmoreHunt rider kicking and punching her horse in the face.
Watched on by lackeys Will Ashmore and son Ed.
Violence running through their veins.@RSPCA_official pic.twitter.com/s37BlR4Hv3— Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs (@HertsHuntSabs) November 7, 2021
Response to the video
Outrage ensued on social media following the popularity of the video.
TV wildlife presenter was one of many who called for Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) officials to look into the video further.
“I call upon you to urgently investigate and definitively prosecute this appalling abuse,” he Tweeted.
His sentiment was seconded by another TV favourite, Peter Egan from Downton Abbey, amongst others.
Responding to the calls the RSPCA called the footage “really upsetting” and asked for anyone with information to come forward.
“We would urge anyone with first-hand information about this incident to contacts us on: 0300 123 4999,” the charity said.
