Anti-hunt goons mock tragic death of beloved community figure

This week, news broke of the results of a coroner’s inquest into the tragic, accidental death of a much-loved local figure, Guy Avis. The coroner reached a conclusion of accidental death after he was told how Avis, aged 76, died after falling from his horse when riding with the Heythrop Hunt.

Avis was known and loved by many across the Cotswolds. A “cornerstone” of the Heythrop Hunt, he was known affectionately as its “Signing Secretary” and as a treasured participant of Gloucestershire’s Giffords Circus.

On social media, many posted messages of love, commiseration and remembrances of the life of this remarkable man.

But there were other comments, posted by the anti-hunt brigade, that can only be described as sickeningly grotesque in their insensitivity.

Vile anti-hunt keyboard warriors came out en masse to revel in the death of a man they had never met – simply because he enjoyed a pastime they disapprove of.

These commenters are just more proof that opposition to trail hunting is not remotely driven by concerns for animal welfare, but by an intense hatred of the people who partake in it.

We have seen time and time again that sabbing is no more than an excuse for individuals to air their grievances against hunt supporters by dressing in black and balaclavas and patrolling fields in the hopes of intimidating and harassing countryside folk. For those who prefer their violent and antisocial behaviour to be of a more sedentary nature, disgusting comments on social media will clearly do.

Even the Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, in their report of sabbing activities on the day of Avis’ death, had the decency to extend their condolences to Avis’ family and friends, describing him as “always polite to sabs and would come over for a chat at times”.

The people who knew Avis, including sabs who had interacted with him in the field, only had good things to say about him. The vitriol comes from the mindless anti-hunt goons who sit behind the safety of their screens writing vile comments on social media that they would never have the courage to utter to someone’s face.

Behind The Masks extends it deep condolences to the Avis family in this difficult time.