I know this subject has been tackled before, but it has been brought a little closer to home this week with a couple of things Heather and I have seen on the tube.

Generally I don't watch the same detective shows that she does, but I checked out "Dalzeil and Pascoe"(sp) with her and they did a pretty compelling murder mystery with the fox hunters and Sabs (apparently a shortened form for 'hunt sabateurs') as the main folks involved.

Just today I watched a BBC news clip that almost looked like it was taken straight from the TV show. The Horse people were tryin' to run down the animal activists in a forest. Even rode right over the head "sab".(he survived)

When they interviewed people from both sides after the incident, I got the distinct impression that they BOTH enjoyed the Hell out of it. You know, that look of exhuberent exhausted pride, when you've REALLY done something dangerous....and survived. It felt suspiciously like watching those Xtreme sports fanatics who are always pushing the limits.

So here's my question.

Has there ever actually BEEN a murder (or even close) when the fox hunters and protesters have clashed?

Oh, and what the hell is "badger baiting"? I know I'm probably not going to like the answer....but it came up several times in the "Dalzeil and Pascoe" mystery.

Cheers (but not Tally-ho)

Rick