Killing foxes

[modeller]

The Tories want to repeal the ban on hunting with dogs . Do you agree ?

[chris1970]

No i dont, leave the poor little foxes alone .

[Davethedog]

In all honesty I don't know, i'm a towny. It sounds cruel but people have told me this is the best way to exterminate them and they are vermin.

However the idea of all these people on horseback killing for sport is inhuman, but if you have a gamekeeper with a pack to eradicate vermin and its better tah shooting maybe,

But as I say i'm a towny.

[brionon]

It's not just Foxes,you know. That's what Hunt supporters want you to think. Deer,Otters ,Hares and other animals are driven to fear and a painful death for PLEASURE !

[rojash]

I'm country born and bred. Hunting with dogs is not only cruel, but is ridiculously inefficient. The cost of killing a single fox runs into thousands of pounds.

[Quinlad]

At the risk of sounding like a class warrior....

....if fox hunting had been a primarily working class pursuit, does anything think this would even be up for discussion? Would it have survived to anything like the 21st century in the first place?

[jackthehat]

Personally, I am anti-fox hunting.
However, I am also against 'valuable' Parliamentary time being taken up by this issue.
If the Tories get in an repeal this law, I suppose we can only expect the contrary Government subsequently elected to re-instate the legislation.........?

[philkool]

Why not have coppers on horses with packs of dogs hunting the illegal immigrants ? now thats a thought.

[rowanwitch]

The only thing I am concerned about is the foxhunting issue has become a class thing... It isn't just 'toffs' a lot of ordinary country people, farmers and their families ride to hounds. It isn't the best way to control foxes...or any other animal I don't like the idea but I feel it should be a cruelty issue not a class one And maybe all blood sports should be stopped including shooting and fishing.....Sorry Doc..

[Kromovaracun]

"if fox hunting had been a primarily working class pursuit, does anything think this would even be up for discussion? Would it have survived to anything like the 21st century in the first place? "

True, but does that make banning it right?

[Booldawg]

probably just a case of securing the country vote now the liberals are climibing the opinion polls.

[whiskeryron]

Man is a born hunter, so let him (& her) hunt animals ON the animal's terms, I believe that African & Native American warriors had to prove their prowess by facing & tackling a wild animal on their own armed only with a knife or spear. So yes by all means hunt the fox or any other animal by yourself without horses & a dog pack, you hunters or don't you have the guts for it ?.

[ItchyMoti]

The Big brave hunters with there 12 bore shotguns can sort them out.

[rojash]

Kromovaracun says "True, but does that make banning it right? "
No, it should be banned because it's barbaric.

The point is, that other barbaric sports were banned long ago, while hunting with dogs escaped the ban purely because it had the support of the "landed gentry".

[modeller]

They call it sport and that the fox has a sporting chance of survival. So 50 against one is sport is it ? I once saw a huntsman dig a fox out of its lair and throw it to the dogs to tear to pieces , and thats what they call sport. No party will ever get my vote that has those values.

[jake-the-peg]

The arguments in favour are very confused.

On one hand it's "sport" because the fox has a chance of escape and on the other it's "vermin control" although strangelt rent-a-kill don't seem to have adopted the methodology yet!

Accusations of class bias should bear in mind that hare coarsing is also covered but adminttedly angling is not.

It also seems to be an issue that arises strong emotions across class barriers and in town and country.

To such an extent that I find myself in a minority in not caring a lot either way

(ducks and covers anticipating abuse from both sides)

[tamborine]

No, not by dogs - they dont kill clean. A proper cull by trap/gunshot, where necessary is acceptable.

[Kromovaracun]

"Kromovaracun says "True, but does that make banning it right? "
No, it should be banned because it's barbaric. "

According to who, exactly?

If I remember right, the Hunting Act bans hunting with dogs, but you're still allowed to puncture things with searing hot balls of lead. Not sure anti-barbarism is at the legislation's heart.

[bigfoot3000]

Man is a born hunter, so let him (& her) hunt animals ON the animal's terms, I believe that African & Native American warriors had to prove their prowess by facing & tackling a wild animal on their own armed only with a knife or spear. So yes by all means hunt the fox or any other animal by yourself without horses & a dog pack, you hunters or don't you have the guts for it ?.

Great point whiskeyron!

[zzxxee]

i agree the number of foxes has to be kept in check but i dont like fox hunting

[Old_Geezer]

No I do not agree with any repeal. It is a shameful part of our past, in much the same way as bear baiting used to be. We need to move on not backwards. Worse since it'll mean it will only have to be brought back properly another time.

Let nature sort out the fox numbers, and let those responsible for livestock take care of them properly, not blame their failures on nature. Tearing an animal apart is not an acceptable form of human entertainment.