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Huntsman's arrest in clash
A huntsman was arrested after allegedly hitting a campaigner with a whip as she grabbed his horse's bridle in an attempt to stop him hunting foxes.
Trouble flared when saboteurs tried to prevent members of the High Peak Hunt riding away from their meeting point at Flagg.
A 25-year-old woman was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital at Stockport for treatment to head injuries, saying she had been struck by the riding whip of a 50-year-old man.
A police spokesman said: "The huntsman was arrested on suspicion of assault after allegations that he hit a protester with his whip.
"He was interviewed and released on police bail pending further inquiries."
The spokesman added: "Police were at the scene because we always have a couple of officers at hunts to keep an eye on things.
"Somebody approached one of the officers to report the incident and the man was arrested.
"There was a transit van- load of protesters who were using video equipment and it appears they were trying to obstruct the hunt."
Members of the hunt claim somebody could have been seriously hurt in Saturday's protest, which happened around 11am.
A spokeswoman for the Countryside Alliance, which champions the cause of the hunting industry, said: "The huntsman was on his horse when one of the saboteurs grabbed the horse's bridle.
"Despite being urged several times by the rider and other members of the hunt to let go the woman hung on, showing total disregard for the safety of herself, the rider or the welfare of the horse."
Last month, the Government used the Parliament Act to force through legislation which will make it illegal to hunt foxes with dogs from February next year.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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