HUNT saboteurs were out in numbers to try to disrupt the first meet of the season for the Quantock Staghounds on Monday morning (August 5).

Members of the Mendip and North Dorset branches of the Hunt Saboteurs Association followed the riders from the lowlands of Weacombe on to the hills between Bicknoller and East Quantoxhead as a stag was pursued.

But they were not able to prevent the animal being despatched after it had collapsed from exhaustion.

A spokesperson said: “The stag was chased from the lowlands of Weacombe up on to the hills, crossing the steep slopes of several combes with hunt and hounds in pursuit.

“The stag became visibly tired and disoriented near Den’s Combe, panting as he walked backwards and forwards through gorse, not knowing where to go to escape.

“Leering hunt followers who lined the hills relayed the stag’s location as he collapsed with exhaustion, unable to continue any further.

“Sabs bravely ran toward the gunman to try to intervene as he approached the stag but could not get close enough before the shot rang out.

“Then, as the stag’s body was dragged on to a quad bike, shame-faced hunters tried unsuccessfully to block the view of sab cameras.”

The spokesperson said the hunt activity was only legal because of a loophole in the law which it was hoped the new Labour Government would close.

They said: “Until that time, hunt sabs will stop the cruelty and killing whenever they can.”

Staghounds chairman James Hawthorne said the hunt had been confronted during its meet by ‘not pleasant people’ who were ‘balaclavad up’.

Mr Hawthorne said: “We have a job to do. The deer count on the Quantock Hills is higher than it has ever been.

“We will carry on doing what we have to do to cull them to keep the numbers down, but it is the hinds that need managing when they come into season.”

Mr Hawthorne said although there was no fixed number for ‘an ideal’ deer population on the hills, it basically amounted to what farmers were prepared to put up with.