SIR - As a life member of the RSPCA for 50 years and a former national Chairman (1969-75), I have watched the attack on hunting with dismay.
Though hunting must cause some suffering to the animals concerned, this is not the point. Improvements in animal welfare can only be guaranteed if hunting is compared with other legal methods of control.
Recent research shows high levels of wounding in shot foxes. This is not a pleasant subject for any animal lover, but we now have a detailed, factual report on shooting that makes it clear that many foxes will suffer a slow and painful death. Like it or not, hunting does not wound - the fox is either killed or it escapes.
Tighter regulation of hunting with dogs and a law giving all wild mammals basic protection from undue suffering would be a far better route to take, but this was not supported.
The Hunting Act should be amended as a matter of urgency. It is very sad that an Act of Parliament, supported by many people with the best of intentions, will cause far greater suffering to the animal it purports to help.
J S HOBHOUSE,
Farleigh Hungerford
Wiltshire
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article