Ben Duddy
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne / Cumbria
Affiliations: Calder Valley Hunt Saboteurs
Ben Duddy was born in Carlisle but appears to have been made in Calder Valley Hunt Saboteurs, where confrontation seems to come more naturally than constructive campaigning. When not opposing legal hunts and grouse shoots, he runs a Newcastle dog-walking business called Paws with Ben. BTM can only assume Paw Patrol was the inspiration, although Duddy’s version seems considerably less interested in saving the day.
Confronting people and horses
Photographs shared by Calder Valley Hunt Saboteurs show Duddy among masked activists confronting a huntsman at close quarters. Apparently, observing proceedings peacefully is not nearly as entertaining as inserting yourself directly into the action. Like many other saboteurs, BTM wonders what really motivates Duddy to go out sabbing; we’d put instigating trouble at the top of the list.
For a man whose business revolves around respecting animals and looking out for their welfare, we’re quite surprised to see Duddy grab a horse. Then again, saboteurs are known to act erratically. As someone who claims to care about animal welfare, it’s a rather questionable way to behave.
Perhaps Duddy simply misunderstood what it means to take the lead.
From Hunts to Grouse Moors
Only last week, Duddy was out on Coverdale moor disrupting the Glorious 12th. He was out sabbing with the Calder Valley Hunt saboteurs trying to disrupt another lawful countryside activity. This year’s attempt to disrupt the Glorious 12th ended miserably for the group, with all of them issued dispersal orders by the police.
The irony is that Duddy’s own family dog is a retriever, a breed traditionally associated with the field sports he spends his time opposing. Whether the dog has been informed of this ideological contradiction remains unclear.
Paws with Ben
While not causing chaos in fields, Duddy presents Paws with Ben as a friendly, dependable dog-walking business. Unfortunately, that wholesome image sits awkwardly alongside photographs of masked activism, arguments with hunt supporters and close encounters with horses.
Rural origins
Duddy grew up on a family farm in Cumbria, meaning he should understand the realities of rural life better than most. His family has even defended its farming activities against accusations of snobbery, stressing the importance of protecting land for future generations. His parents Facebook comment below gives us some idea of where his aggressive nature comes from.
Yet Duddy seems happy to join activists who treat countryside communities as the enemy and lawful rural activities as fair game for disruption. With both trail hunting and grouse shooting being an integral part of the rural community’s economy, BTM struggles to understand why a born and bred country boy thinks disrupting them helps anyone.
Like many hunt sabs, Duddy may view himself as a martyr for animal welfare, when in reality he is a just an inconvenience to the rural economy.
For someone whose business is called Paws with Ben, a pause for thought is long overdue.
