'Loophole' in law allows fox hunting to continue
I THOUGHT fox hunting was banned.
Recently our country lanes became a grandstand for packed cars and people watching the efforts of dogs scouring the undergrowth and hedge bottoms, presumably trying to pick up the trail of a fox. The hunt was assembled in a large field waiting for the resulting efforts of the scouring dogs.
I asked where the hunt had come from. "Ashbourne," was the reply. "Why do you come here? We do not want our wildlife disturbing," I remarked.
"Foxes are a pest and number-one predator," I was informed. I asked what would happen if the scouring dogs flushed out a frightened fox. I didn't get a reply to that one. Just a foxy grin.
Drag-hunting is the loophole in the law which encourages spectators who hope to witness a live kill.
Drag hunting must be banned to prevent unscrupulous fox-hunters in their idea of sport.
We at South Wingfield and district are against it.
H A Hardwick
Park Avenue
South Wingfield
6 Comments
by Hunt saboteur, Derby
Saturday, March 19 2011, 3:34PM
“Thankfully the hunting season has just finished. Since the Hunting Ban we have witnessed and videoed local hunts flushing woods with packs of dogs, cub-hunting (this happens between August and October and never gets a mention in the Press) and recently actually witnessed a fox being chased. We rated the hounds (a voice call the huntsman uses to tell the hounds off), sprayed the ground with citronella to block the scent of the fox and thankfully it did get away. Unfortunately this action annoyed the huntsman somewhat who threatened us and rode at us while we were on a public footpath!
If anyone would like to get actively involved our website is: http://www.derbysabs.org”
by Mister Viv, Mackworth
Friday, March 18 2011, 5:51PM
“Point taken,John. Apologies for lack of research. However, a dead bird is a dead bird,anyhoo.......”
by Christopher, Derby
Friday, March 18 2011, 4:37PM
“Well said H A Hardwick.
Please take a look at this Youtube video and decide for yourself just how dangerous the Urban fox is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szznaQU--nc
You'll love the next clip as it shows that foxes have a real sense of fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8xJtH6UcQY&feature=related”
by John, Derby
Friday, March 18 2011, 2:34PM
“"Even the Pheasants on the glorious twelfth get a more humane send off." - Grouse, Mister Viv. Grouse. The start of the pheasant season is 1st October.”
by Mister Viv, Mackworth
Friday, March 18 2011, 2:22PM
“Anyone who gets a thrill out of killing an intelligent creature should be in a mental hospital. No excuses- no 'reducing predation', or 'vermin control'. There is no other 'sport' in this country that finishes with the prey being ripped apart. Even the Pheasants on the glorious twelfth get a more humane send off. Not that I agree with that either. Any joy from watching death is perverse. If you want joy from death, go watch a beheading in a town square in Dubai. Or rubbernecking the latest road accident on the M1.”
by SarahL, Derby
Friday, March 18 2011, 12:03PM
“I couldn't agree more.
I recently witnessed the local hunt pass my place of work - the first thing I saw were the pair of young foxes running hell for leather across the field, and have to admit to quietly urging them to run faster as I saw the hounds enter the bottom of the field. I was thrilled when the pair made it as far as the hedge, knowing full well the hounds and horses could get no further, but at the same time was shocked to have witnessed it at all.
Drag hunting is just an excuse - the hunt still actively seek out and pursue live foxes.”