A MAN said he was left badly hurt and needed an ambulance after a physical altercation during a hunt.
Mark Saddler was left with head injuries, a stolen walking stick and damage to his retina after he claims he was attacked by two men.
Mr Saddler was at Bradley Green, near Feckenham, to observe the hunt taking place on Wednesday, February 1.
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Mr Saddler said: "That morning, I had not been out since October because I had been ill.
"I was just about to get my phone out of my pocket to call myself a taxi when I heard a quad bike and thought that was funny.
"The driver then saw me, came up to me and threatened me saying 'If you were not disabled, then I would knock you out'."
He said the two then argued for a short while before he turned off the man's quad bike.
He claims: "The next thing I know, my stick was taken off me, and a fist was coming at me.
"Two, three minutes later, I wake up on the floor with my stick gone.
"I could not get up, my hip was in agony.
"I could not use my stick because that was stolen."
He claims the men behind the attack were members of Worcestershire Hunt but a spokesperson for the hunt said they were often subjected to 'spurious allegations'.
The spokesperson from the Worcestershire Hunt said: “Hunts are regularly subjected to spurious allegations made by those who wish to damage the reputation of hunts and their supporters.
"We are not aware of the circumstances surrounding this allegation but would, of course, assist the police with any enquiries should this matter be investigated further.”
Mr Saddler said: "I am disgusted, and it has affected me psychologically.
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"The pain has been really bad, my eye is messed up, and it has made me anxious."
Emma Phipps, from Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, was near the incident when it happened.
She said: "It was shocking to see the extent of the injuries, and we are disgusted that someone could treat another person in that way."
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said they were investigating the claims.
They said: "One of the men knocked the walking stick out of the victim’s hand causing him to become unbalanced, and the other man assaulted him.
"The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated for bruising and swelling.
"Enquiries are still ongoing to locate and arrest the offenders."
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