4 October 2003

The huntsman at the centre of controversy involving violent attacks on protestors and a fox thrown live to hounds has resigned a week after being arrested. Jonathan Broise was arrested last week after a 60 year old woman was taken to hospital with a broken arm after allegedly being ridden over and another protestor lost a tooth.

Hunt saboteurs attended the kennels of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt this morning (4 Oct) to find that there was no hunt taking place. Local saboteurs were informed by Police Hunt Liaison Officer Sgt Cross that Mr Broise had resigned from his position as huntsman.

The move has prompted speculation from hunt saboteurs. A Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson asked "Did he jump or was he puched?" and went on to say "When hunts use violence against saboteurs it is because our tactics are so effective at saving animals lives. It does not stop us, it makes us more determined and we often respond by swamping a hunt with larger numbers. Although the official line is that Broise has resigned, we believe that the hunt have realised that he is a liability and he was given little choice
in the matter."

Notes for editors:

In July, Broise was cleared of criminal charges in July relating to an incident in which 2 saboteurs were taken to hospital. The case received considerable media interest

Press releases can be found on the HSA website  http://www.huntsabs.org.uk detailing:
*Mr Broise's arrest and incidents last week -  http://hsa.enviroweb.org/news/chid2793.html
*Allegations of a fox thrown live to hounds and sabs attacked at the same hunt the previous week -  http://hsa.enviroweb.org/news/chid2093.html
*An incident where a protestor was ridden over at the hunt -  http://hsa.enviroweb.org/news/broisesw.html

For further information contact HSA Press Officer Nathan Brown 07815 313181

ENDS



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