A hunting group says it’s investigating after a rider was caught apparently hitting a cyclist with a whip.
Footage shows a group of seven horses and riders near Ashford in Kent, before one rider appeared to lash out at a cyclist as they passed her.
It’s understood the cyclist had previously spoken with the rider.
The incident happened on Saturday as The Kent Hounds hunting group rode through Aldington.
Carly Ahlen, founder of Gabo Wildlife and a hunt saboteur, described the behaviour of the horse rider as ‘entitled’ and ‘what we have become used to over the years’.
It’s understood the cyclist is not a member of East Kent Sabs, a group of hunt saboteurs who followed Kent Hounds members throughout the day and filmed the altercation.
Carly, 42, added: ‘Hunt havoc is the result of being allowed to ride roughshod over the countryside due to loopholes and exemptions in the law.
‘We need to do more to close the loopholes – and consign hunting to the history books.’
A spokesperson for The Kent Hounds says they are unaware of any allegations but said the matter ‘will be looked into further’.
They added that if there is ‘proved to be any substance to these allegations, we apologise for any distress that may have been caused’.
The Kent Hounds had been out for its opening meet of the season, with it being reported as many as 30 riders were in the area at the time.
The presence of hunting groups in Kent has long caused anger among animal lovers, with it often being alleged laws on hunting animals were being broken.
Hunting of foxes with hounds was made illegal by legislation introduced in 2004.
However, drag or trail hunting – where a scent is laid and hounds and horses follow the trail – is still permitted.
A spokesperson for The Kent Hounds said: ‘The Kent Hounds is a trail hunting organisation which conducts lawful trail hunting activities.
‘The hunt officials are not aware of any incident taking place nor of any allegations that have been made against one of our supporters, but this matter will be looked into further.
‘You’ll appreciate that spurious allegations are regularly made to the media about hunts and their supporters to discredit hunting despite an alarming lack of evidence to justify such claims.
‘It’s impossible to identify the hunt, the location, the date, the context or any specific individuals in the video footage that has been provided.
‘But of course, if there is proved to be any substance to these allegations, we apologise for any distress that may have been caused to those involved.’
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