I think the ban on fox hunting is pretty pointless. Granted, many people do not agree with it, but the point is that it is a huge part of the british culture. If you are against it, then you do not have to be any part of it. Just as if you are a christian, you would not ban all other religions just because you believe they are wrong or their values are wrong.
Farmers need a way of controlling foxes, it’s a fact, they need to protect livestock and their livleyhoods. At the moment, the only way this is possible is by shooting them. As foxes are nocternal, this is usually done at night, meaning the process is inaccurate and often leaves a half injured fox to die slowly and in pain. Fox hunting as a process of control is much more humane, as the fox is dead instantly. Granted it is chased before hand, but better that than bleeding to death in the dark, wouldn’t you say?
And another thing, fox hunting is not a blood sport. The riders are there for the thrill of the ride, not the kill. The hounds are their because they are required by farmers and locals to control the pests. The people do not delight in the death of the animals, but in the joy of the ride, the community a hunt provides and the thought that we are keeping the countryside free from unwanted vermin.
Hunting has been a part of the english traditon for years. If people are so worried about cruelty to animals, perhaps we should look first towards the conditions of the slaughterhouses and the ordeals that animals go through when being sent to their deaths. Most of these, for our food industry.
It angers many country people to see what a fuss people try to make out of hunting, when there are many more important things to be looking at
P.s. hunting masters will only be aggressive if confronted by reckless and endangering sabatours. The lengths these people will go to end a hunt is completley ridiculous, and often leads to serious injury to both animals and riders.
The video above is totally unrepresentative
Katherine, Lucy, Dave, Jim.