So who started it?

by Feòrag

It seems that all the lurid tales of witchcraft and dark pagan deeds with respect to the attacks on horses did not come from the National Equine Welfare Council. A local Pagan has been speaking with a representative of the group and reported this to several Pagan mailing lists:

She at no time mentioned the word Pagan - this news item has come about as the result of an internal email asking members to report anything unusual to do with attacks on horse following a spate of attacks in the Notts area. Someone (not sure who) suggested that the attacks coincided with the Pagan Calendar. All she was trying to do was build a profile of when, where and what.... The mention of the word Pagan seems to have originated in Scotland by some person who did not realise that a whole community of people use the title to describe themselves. The lady concerned has since apologised.

It seems that the woman from the National Equine Welfare Council has been on the receiving end of abuse:

One last thing please please do not call the lady with abusive calls. She has already rec'd a couple from people claiming to be Pagan and having a go at defaming them - She never mentioned the word herself and has nothing against Pagans.. or at least she not at the moment but anymore calls may make her change her mind. She has been briefed a little about modern Pagan beliefs and practices and wants to work together to both put an end to media hysteria directed at Pagans and to see if we (as Pagans) can help out with info on the more unusual aspects of these attacks.

So, it looks like the press are responsible for letting their imaginations run away with them. (thanks, Karin)