Thread by @GeorgeMonbiot

Every winter, parts of the countryside succumb to mob rule, as bloodsports enthusiasts run riot, and intimidate and attack those who object. In some cases, their attacks amount to terrorism.
Yet the government of "law and order" does nothing.
My column.
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

I contrast the complete impunity with which these thugs are allowed to operate with the government's response to Insulate Britain, including draconian new laws against protest. I argue that it's less interested in public order than in creating an uncontested space for power.

I understand why Insulate Britain's protests are controversial. But whether you agree with them or not, they are trying to act in the public interest. Whereas the people running riot in the countryside are seeking nothing but their own grim pleasure.

There appears to be a strong connection between an interest in killing animals and a disregard for human life. Beating up hunt monitors and terrorising objectors seems to be enjoyed by these people as another bloodsport.

"It’s highly likely that an animal abuser will also be abusing humans. We found not only have most animal abusers been exposed to violence and abuse, but that this has resulted in reduced empathy and a normalisation of aggression".
h/t @ConradGoodwin
independent.co.uk/news/long_read…

So it's likely that a society which prevents cruelty to animals will see less harm inflicted on people. It's in all our interests that illegal foxhunting and other forms of cruelty are stopped. The police need to step up and do their jobs, and the law needs tightening.