Two hunters – George and Thomas Grant – have walked away free from court after pleading guilty to a brutal attack on wildlife crime investigators that nearly killed a man, leaving him with a broken neck.

Despite the ban on hunting, dozens of hunts across the country continue to illegally and cruelly hunt thousands of foxes – including young cubs – as well as deer and hares for so-called ‘sport’. Wildlife crime investigators dedicate their time to collecting evidence of illegal hunting. This is what they were trying to do when they were attacked by members of the hunt.

The judge at Leicester Crown Court gave these violent thugs a suspended sentence and community service, and told the men to pay their victim just £500 in compensation.

That’s why a Care2 petition has been started to demand justice for the wildlife crime officers who were attacked. The petition states:

“We are concerned that letting these two off with a slap on the wrist may be seen by hunts as a ‘green light’ to continue to carry out brutal assaults without fear of serious consequences.Unless the criminal justice system takes this issue seriously, it is only a matter of time until someone is killed.

We therefore call on the Attorney General to review the sentence passed down by Leicester Crown Court for being unduly lenient, and to ensure that in future all those responsible for such violent assaults receive the appropriate custodial sentences.“

Please join me in supporting this petition written by a Care2 member.

Thank you,

Beth G. The Care2 Petitions Team

P.S. Hunts have been known to bring in as many as 30 or 40 thugs, often wearing masks or balaclavas, to prevent observers witnessing alleged illegal hunting. Sign the petition to demand justice for those who were attacked.