Pals of shamed Sarah Moulds, 37, defend teacher for ‘punching horse’, claiming she should have KEPT her job...

SUPPORTERS of the primary school teacher who was filmed hitting and kicking a horse have hit out at the decision to sack her from her job.

Mum Sarah Moulds, 37, was seen apparently lashing out at the horse after it ran out into the road in the East Midlands with the RSPCA condemning her for alleged animal cruelty.

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In the wake of the outcry the mum-of-two, from Somerby, near Melton Mowbray, lost her job at Somerby School, Leicestershire, following a six-week investigation by education bosses.

Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the Mowbray Education Trust, said "I can confirm that Sarah Moulds' employment with the trust has been terminated.

"As a trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond."

Some of her supporters have now criticised the Trust’s decision, with one claiming the incident was “unrelated to teaching”.

One wrote: “I don't condone the kick or the slaps, but the horse ran into the road beforehand and none of us watching the video (filmed by a group that has a motive to present things in the word possible light) knows the full story.

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“To lose her job on the basis of that? I hope she doesn't read the spiteful comments here. Humans suffer too.”

Another said: “Is it right that a woman who may be a very good teacher is sacked for behaving badly with an ill-tempered horse? This is yet another social media witch hunt.”

A third person added: “A farmer told me I don't understand country ways and foxes need to be controlled as they kill for fun. Probably. But I don't like the class divide of ritualistic blood sports. 

“However, I do think that it is an overreaction regarding Sarah Moulds. A witch hunt unrelated to teaching.”

The distressing footage was shared by Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, an anti-hunting group, who posted the footage online after monitoring the event.

It shows a woman, dressed in cream jodhpurs and a navy jacket, acting aggressively towards the animal.

The female hunter is filmed kicking and punching the horse before pulling it into a horsebox by its head collar.

Moulds is believed to be part of Cottesmore Hunt, a foxhound hunting pack based in Rutland, and was surrounded by other riders at the time of the incident.

The Cottesmore Hunt reportedly said it did not condone the actions shown in the video "under any circumstances".

Following the footage being shared, dozens of people contacted the RSPCA to report the incident.

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The RSPCA said in a statement: "This footage is really upsetting. We will always look into complaints made to us about animal welfare."

“However, we are unable to discuss complaints about specific people and what action may have been taken. 

“We understand how frustrating that is for animal lovers but releasing information could prejudice a future prosecution or could lead to us being fined. We are unable to comment further at this time.”

The Pony Club has also terminated Mould’s position as team manager with the equestrian youth organisation and condemned her actions as “unacceptable”.

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