The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) is a worldwide organization using direct action to stop the hunting of animals. HSA activists use a model of leaderless resistance, similar to that of the Animal Liberation Front. Hunt Saboteurs have been using the same basic tactics since their inception 37 years ago; the underlying principle being to directly intervene in a day's hunting, historically by delaying or confusing the hounds.[1] Nathan Brown is the current HSA spokesperson.
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Origins
In 1964 John Prestige founded the Hunt Saboteurs Association in Brixham, England, after being assigned to report on the Devon and Somerset Staghounds, where "he witnessed the hunters drive a pregnant deer into a village and kill her." [2] Designed to "actively oppose blood sports," [2] the HSA eschewed parliamentary reforms and instead went directly out into the fields of Britain to do everything they could, within the law, to prevent the killing of British wildlife. [2] "Within a year, HSA groups appeared across England in Devon, Somerset, Avon, Birmingham, Hampshire and Surrey. Ronnie Lee, founder of the animal rights group Band of Mercy began his activism within a HSA group in Luton, England. HSA now operates throughout Europe and North America.
Tactics
The HSA uses tactics as varied as using hunting horns and whistles to misdirect hounds, scent dullers, laying false trails, and locking gates to disrupt a hunt.[3] The HSA has expanded into countries such as the United States and Canada, tactics have shifted depending on the type of hunting being disrupted. The HSA now routinely disrupt deer, waterfowl, turkey, mink, and hare hunts, as well as angling and other types of fishing.[4]
Journal
HSA UK publishes a quarterly journal, Howl.[5]
References
- ^ "Why We Are Here" by the Hunt Saboteurs Association UK
- ^ a b c Best, Steven (ed), Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?, Lantern Books, 2004
- ^ HSA Tactics Book
- ^ The American Hunt Saboteurs Association
- ^ Howl Subscription Information
External links
National Groups
- Hunt Saboteurs UK
- The American Hunt Saboteurs Association
- Hunt Saboteurs N.Ireland
- Hunt Saboteurs Ireland
Local Groups
- Black County Hunt Sabs
- Bristol and Bath Hunt Sabs
- Cornwall Hunt Sabs
- Croydon Sabs
- Derby Sabs
- East Devon Sabs
- East Nothants HSA
- Essex & Sussex Sabs
- Kent Hunt Sabs
- Leeds Hunt Sabs
- North & East (London) Hunt Sabs
- North West HSA
- Northants HSA
- Old Cintonians HSA
- Kent HSA
- Plymouth Hunt Saboteurs
- Reading Hunt Sabs
- Southern Anti Bloodsports
- Worcester & Birmingham Hunt Sabs
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