Animal Rising strike again as they rush onto racecourse in bid to delay Scottish Grand National

Animal rights protesters have been arrested by police as they attempted to invade the race course during the Scottish Grand National today at Ayr Racecourse.

The Animal Rising group have taken responsibility for the incident on social media, sharing a video of 25 of their supporters storming underneath fencing and running to different positions around the track.

They attempted to attach themselves to the jumps and gates on the racetrack in an effort to ‘cancel the big race’.

Police Scotland have confirmed there is a ‘significant operation’ at Ayr Racecourse to remove protesters and that a ‘number of arrests have been made’. 

Animal Rising said they will ‘protect animals’ and added that they will vow to more demos, adding that the protest at the Aintree Grand National last week was ‘just the beginning’.

Animal Rising activists are apprehended by police officers as they attempted to invade the race course during the Coral Scottish Grand National festival at Ayr Racecourse

The Animal Rising group have taken responsibility for the incident on social media

Protesters attempted to attach themselves to the jumps and gates on the racetrack an an effort to ‘cancel the big race’

An Animal Rising protester is apprehended by police after being chained to the fence at Ayr Racecourse

A protester is held down by a police officer during the Scottish Grand National today

Police attempting to apprehend a Animal Rising protestor at Ayr Racecourse earlier today

Protesters on the racecourse before the start of the Scottish Grand National today as police apprehend them

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Officers are responding to a protest which is ongoing at Ayr Racecourse this afternoon.

‘A significant operation is underway to safely remove those involved.

‘A number of arrests have been made and an increased police presence remains at the scene.’

On social media at just before 4pm, Animal Rising said: ’25 supporters of Animal Rising have made it onto the track at the Scottish Grand National, to put their bodies in the way of harm, and protect animals.’

The post added: ‘They’re attempting to attach themselves to jumps and gates in order to cancel the big race.

‘This afternoon 8 year old Oscar Elite died on the very same track. We take action today with them in our hearts.

‘A horse dies every other day in racing in the UK. We are here to protect horses by saying NO to this barbaric ‘sport.’

‘There are plenty of other things we can have fun doing on a Saturday afternoon that don’t involve watching animals come to harm.

‘Last week at Aintree was just the beginning. The Summer of Animal Rising is upon us.’

Despite the protest, the race went ahead as planned, with horse Kitty’s late taking the victory.

Activists attempted to disrupt the Grand National at Aintree by getting onto the racecourse and fixing themselves to fences and railings, causing the race to be delayed by 15 minutes

A protester being detained as activists tried to disrupt the Grand National by getting into the racecourse and fixing themselves to fences and railings, causing the race to be delayed by 15 minutes on April 15

This comes after the Grand National at Aintree was delayed after Animal Rising protesters stormed the racetrack.

At least two protesters fixed themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices. 

Animal Rising supporters have also been spotted at a climate protest outside Parliament today.

Thousands of protesters have gathered for their ‘The Big One’ campaign, organised by Extinction Rebellion (XR), as part of a four-day campaign designed to ‘highlight the environmental failures’ of government.

Animal Rising flags were pictured amongst activists carrying XR flags and posters.

Animal Rising supporters have also been spotted at a climate protest outside Parliament today

Thousands of protesters have gathered for their ‘The Big One’ campaign, organised by Extinction Rebellion (XR), as part of a four-day campaign designed to ‘highlight the environmental failures’ of government

XR says thousands of people protested outside government departments in London on Friday ‘to highlight the environmental and social failures’ of the government.

Today’s protest focused on nature and biodiversity, and started from Westminster Abbey with attendees, many of them children, wearing animal costumes and masks.

‘It’s an emergency. Everybody needs to pull together so the future generations can enjoy our beautiful planet,’ said 47-year-old Jenny O’Hara Jakeway, who made the six-hour journey from Wales with her two children.

‘I should protest more but my life is work and family. Being passive is not an option anymore because of the urgency of the situation,’ she told AFP.

Many had made banners for the occasion, with one reading: ‘We defend the climate but police arrest us’ and another ‘Extinction is forever’. Others warned that a third of UK birds were ‘at risk of extinction’.