Nobody seems to have commented on yesterday's conviction of the Director of the Masters of the Foxhounds Association for encouraging others to hunt foxes, which has been illegal since 2005, by disguising it as trail hunting, which is legal. I for one was delighted.

I've been told that I "don't understand the countryside", but I can't believe that anyone who saw footage last night of a fox hopelessly trying to escape and then being torn apart by about fifteen dogs didn't feel sickened by the spectacle. For goodness sake let this disgusting, depraved activity go the same way as cock-fighting, bear-baiting and hare-coursing.

Seconded. We regularly have foxes in our garden and they keep the rat population down, although people who leave shoes etc in their garden would disagree.

Enjoying getting up later and not having someone who knows better than me (apart from the missus of course).

If foxes need culling for the tremendous damage they can do out in the country then by all means do it humanely.
I abhor fox hunting for sport and the sooner it is properly banned the better

I don't disagree.

However, in the scheme of intensive animal farming, live experimentation and other casual unspeakable cruelty committed by man on beast, a bunch of inbred toffs galloping around the countryside in the hope that they might catch a fox receives disproportionate attention.

I concur with the above sentiments. This is one of those issues that transcends personal politics, as who in their right mind thinks its fun or a sport to chase terrified animals and watch them being ripped to pieces. Even when these people kill beloved family pets who have the misfortune to cross their path, they often just toss it over the fence and trot off. Entitled and inhumane, with no regard for life or the rule of law.

Edited by BlueJay (21 Oct 2021 11.02am)

Foxes are classed as vermin. They need culling. If people enjoy doing that, why is it such an issue?

Not my cup of tea personally but if we allow people to fish for pleasure, why is killing vermin such an important issue? If you don't like people killing other creatures for sport then ban all of them. Grouse shooting, Deer stalking, fishing and so on.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.