Hunt Retribution Squad
Encyclopedia
The Hunt Retribution Squad (HRS) is a name used by militant
animal rights
activists that are willing to inflict harm on those involved in blood sport
. The direct action
group was reported as having been set up in 1984.
or Revolutionary Cells--Animal Liberation Brigade, the HRS did not appear to release a manifesto or set of guidelines upon forming, similar to the Animal Rights Militia
.
website, that they had plans to use violence
against those involved in hunts. He also claimed that the HRS "play with the media a bit" and said that "I don’t know if we are violent people." The name was then reused years later in 2000 and 2007.
foxhunt, friend of the Queen and the 10th Duke
, from his grave. The Badmington Parish church graveyard was also vandalised with paint and had the cross taken. The HRS claimed to the Press Association
after digging three feet down into his grave that: "The intention was to remove the remains from the grave and to scatter him around Worcester Lodge. We also planned to remove his head and dispatch it to Princess Anne
, a fellow blood junkie." Since the graveyard incident, a number of suspects had been rounded up on suspicion of the act, with two that were later charged. John Curtin and Terry Helsby were sentenced to two years imprisonment, after Terry's mother noticed him from the publicity photograph that the group had sent to the media of them in the graveyard.
Steve Christmas, which resulted in him being airlift
ed to hospital and put under intensive care, HRS sent a member of the hunt a letter, claiming they were now considered legitimate targets and calling for an immediate end to hunting.
had property spray painted, which belonged to the joint-master and hunt secretary of the Golden Valley Hunt. The activist only left initials for anti-hunting groups the ALF (Animal Liberation Front
) and HRS.
Militant
The word militant, which is both an adjective and a noun, usually is used to mean vigorously active, combative and aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in 'militant reformers'. It comes from the 15th century Latin "militare" meaning "to serve as a soldier"...
animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
activists that are willing to inflict harm on those involved in blood sport
Blood sport
Bloodsport or blood sport is any sport or entertainment that involves violence against animals.Bloodsport includes coursing or beagling, combat sports such as cockfighting and dog fighting, or other activities...
. The direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
group was reported as having been set up in 1984.
No guidelines
Unlike other militant animal rights activists that advocate violence, such as the Justice DepartmentJustice Department (animal rights)
The Justice Department was founded in the United Kingdom by animal rights activists who declared they were willing to use violence against their opponents...
or Revolutionary Cells--Animal Liberation Brigade, the HRS did not appear to release a manifesto or set of guidelines upon forming, similar to the Animal Rights Militia
Animal Rights Militia
The Animal Rights Militia is a banner used by animal rights activists who engage in direct action that ignores the Animal Liberation Front's policy of taking all necessary precautions to avoid harm to human and non-human life.-History:...
.
Structure
John Curtin, who helped form the HRS in 1984, claimed on the Bite BackBite Back
Bite Back is a Malaysia-registered website and magazine that promotes the cause of the animal liberation movement, and specifically the Animal Liberation Front...
website, that they had plans to use violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
against those involved in hunts. He also claimed that the HRS "play with the media a bit" and said that "I don’t know if we are violent people." The name was then reused years later in 2000 and 2007.
December 1984
On Boxing day 1984, Curtin and others made an attempt to dig up the head of the ex-master of the Duke of BeaufortDuke of Beaufort
Duke of Beaufort is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Charles II in 1682 for Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester, a descendant of Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, a Lancastrian leader in the Wars of the...
foxhunt, friend of the Queen and the 10th Duke
Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort
Henry Hugh Arthur FitzRoy Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort KG GCVO KStJ PC was a British peer, the son of Henry Somerset, 9th Duke of Beaufort....
, from his grave. The Badmington Parish church graveyard was also vandalised with paint and had the cross taken. The HRS claimed to the Press Association
Press Association
The Press Association is the national news agency of the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying multimedia news content to almost all national and regional newspapers, television and radio news, as well as many websites with text, pictures, video and data content globally...
after digging three feet down into his grave that: "The intention was to remove the remains from the grave and to scatter him around Worcester Lodge. We also planned to remove his head and dispatch it to Princess Anne
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, a fellow blood junkie." Since the graveyard incident, a number of suspects had been rounded up on suspicion of the act, with two that were later charged. John Curtin and Terry Helsby were sentenced to two years imprisonment, after Terry's mother noticed him from the publicity photograph that the group had sent to the media of them in the graveyard.
February 2000
A week after a hit and run, by a hunt supporter in a 4x4, of hunt saboteurHunt saboteur
Hunt sabotage is the direct action that animal rights or animal welfare activists undertake to interfere with hunting activity.Anti-hunting campaigners are divided into those who believe in direct intervention and those who watch the hunt to monitor for cruelty and report violations of animal...
Steve Christmas, which resulted in him being airlift
Airlift
Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...
ed to hospital and put under intensive care, HRS sent a member of the hunt a letter, claiming they were now considered legitimate targets and calling for an immediate end to hunting.
December 2007
Two homes in WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
had property spray painted, which belonged to the joint-master and hunt secretary of the Golden Valley Hunt. The activist only left initials for anti-hunting groups the ALF (Animal Liberation Front
Animal Liberation Front
The Animal Liberation Front is an international, underground leaderless resistance that engages in illegal direct action in pursuit of animal liberation...
) and HRS.