redgies girl

The Hunting Act is supported by a majority of the public, and was long overdue. Hunt sabs help foxes to escape disgusting deaths. Even before the Hunting Act came into effect, the sabs had the courage to stand up against inhumane behaviour. If their behaviour was illegal, the police got involved and the sabs were arrested, and some may say that justice was done. But now that the law has changed and different people are breaking the law, the police are reluctant to get involved. All we're asking now is for the same kind of justice.

It's not purely a class issue. Working class individuals are also very much involved in the hunting culture. Also, 75% of the British public agree with the Hunting Act and would like to see the Hunting Act enforced, so maybe that's why it was introduced...

Firstly, scientific studies show that fox-hunting has an 'insignificant' effect on fox numbers. Also, foxes are often bred BY THE HUNTERS to ensure there are sufficient numbers of foxes to hunt. This has already been mentioned in the thread. Never mind the fact that fox hunting is not a viable method of pest control, it is hugely inefficient when you think of the large number of people, horses and hounds chasing one single fox for upto an hour. It isn't illegal to shoot a fox, so why not do it quickly and more humanely if they really are such an issue. So, in other words, fox hunting serves no purpose at all except so-called entertainment. And also, yes pet cats hunt birds, but they're not specifically bred to do that. The birds have a fair chance of escape and are not chased to the point of exhaustion before being killed. A cat chasing a bird will not last for upto an hour. Hounds are bred for stamina so the poor fox has no chance.

That is a fair point but the animal cruelty you mentioned there IS illegal, thus why we have RSPCA officers to enforce the law, and people have been convicted for the animal cruelty you have mentioned. Bear-baiting and dog-fighting was also perfectly legitimate for centuries, but the law was reformed, as must happen in any country, and the barbaric sports became illegal. The same has happened with fox-hunting. It was also legitimate up until just last century in this country for young children to work in workhouses. The law changed with the times. The tradition can still continue, just without the inhumane and barbaric murder at the end.

As you could gather from most of te rest of the thread, most people who are against fox hunting don't agree with the idea of violence against hunters, they just want the hunting to stop. I don't get the idea that the protestors are morons and certainly don't see how they cause more suffering ?? Apart from the few questionable protestors who don't use ideal means to end hunts, hunts sabs are only there to end a hunt and they are non-violent. They love animals and so would hurt neither horse nor hound and violence, if there is any, is initiated by the hunters, the sabs simply defend themselves. They use harmless means to aid the fox's escape from the jaws of the dogs. They are brave and courageous and stand up for the law and stand up against unnecessary cruelty. They are certainly not morons.

How do you know that no one on here has seen a hunt or knows any hunters? Yes, admittedly there are some people who may have written more under the influence of emotions than facts. As it happens, my brother-in-law who I see all the time goes on hunts weekly and even breeds hunting dogs. I have seen hunts. And whilst I haven't actually called hunters 'scum', and don't support the idea that hunters should be 'maimed' and what not, I don't agree with the fact that they flout the law. I don't agree with the fact that they apparently think they are above the law, whilst the rest of us don't get to choose which laws we want to obey or not. I also don't agree with an animal being chased beyond exhaustion- the stress of which causes an unmeasurable amount of trauma to the animal, and then ripped apart- which does not happen swiftly and quickly, the dogs grab any part of the animal they come into contact with to get their teeth into it and stop it. Of course, the dogs are not to blame, that is what tey have been bred for, they are just keen to please their masters. It is not illegal to shoot a fox. If it was a simple matter of foxes causing trouble, they could be shot which, although not desirable, is a lot more humane. Fox hunting is nothing more than a cruel sport. As I have mentioned previously, the hounds could be trained to follow an artificial scent on a pre-laid track so the tradition could continue without innocent animals being maimed and killed, but apparently the hut wouldn't be complete without the innocent slaughter at the end.

As with any issues such as this, you're always going to get extremists, on both sides. Undoubtedly, there will be hunt supporters who think that anti-hunt campaigners should be tortured. That's not to say that all of them think that way, and the same goes for those who oppose bloodsports. Unfortunately, you can't avoid extremists, unless you go Buddhist, but then again they too would be anti-hunt

Thank you Lotti, I did simply want to draw attention to the fact that the campaign existed, so that anyone who was concerned could call in and do their bit if they wanted to. It is great that people are showing an interest, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Thank you for defending the HSA Magsie, they are indeed a NON-VIOLENT organisation. It is such a shame that he HSA can be confused with some hunt saboteurs who use unjustifiable means to end hunts, thus making them as bad as the hunters. The HSA use methods such as calling on a horn to confuse the dogs, the only thing they spray is citronella mixed with water. This is not harmful in any way to the hounds (in fact it is even used on horses to make the coats shine), it just makes the hounds lose the scent of the fox so the fox can get away- and thus escape a fate of being chased to exhaustion and being viciously ripped limb from limb. Hunting is a tradition, that is a given, but so was bear-baiting and dog-fighting. Hunting can continue as a tradition, but the hounds can be trained to follow a synthetic smell with no risk of innocent animals being ripped to shreds. As it stands, many many hunters do disguise hunts as 'trail hunts'- they pre-lay a track for the hounds to follow using either fox urine or a dead fox. The track is laid along hedgerows and areas where foxes live, making it inevitable that the hounds will pick up on the scent of a real fox and so the hunt begins and an innocent animal is killed. The fact of the matter is that these people are BREAKING THE LAW, just the same as stealing, or assault, and thus, they should be dealt with accordingly by the police. A law is a law, they are not designed to be optional, the rest of us cannot decide which laws we want to obey and which ones we don't, so the hunters should not get special treatment.

The HSA are a non-violent organisation. There are of course other sabs who may use questionable means. It is such a shame that it has come to this, which is why it is increasingly important that we urge the police to do their job, so others don't have to. If the police were enforcing the law then organisations like the HSA would not be needed.

I do think it's a good idea for people who are concerned about the issue- but wouldn't necessarily know how to go about doing something about it- to have an opportunity to join together with other like-minded people to try to make a difference. Like I said originally, I don't want to ruffle any feathers, and I know people will have strong opinions, I just wanted to make people aware that the opportunity was there if they wanted to feel like they could do something.

Yes, sorry I wrote that at the same time as you wrote your post, so I went back and edited

Many people are under the impression that when the Hunting Act was passed, that was the end of fox hunting. People should know that a law is being broken, and even though the police are aware of this they have stated that it is not a priority. A law is a law and law breakers should be sanctioned accordingly. It is very unfortunate that the HSA are still needed to try to help the police to enforce the law, but the illegal activities such as hunters chasing a defenseless animal with a pack of dogs until the point of exhaustion, then allowing that animal to be torn limb from limb by the dogs- who often themselves aren't given great lives- continues... Also, supporting Patchy's comment, scientific reports indicate that hunting with hounds plays an 'insignificant' role in controlling fox numbers- poison is not an alternative to hunting, hunting was never a viable method of pest control- a whole pack of dogs and several men on horseback spending sometimes hours hunting one single fox, that's not exactly an effective method of controlling pests.

I don't want to offend anyone or ruffle any feathers but if fox hunting is an issue which concerns any one, Lush (on Fargate, city centre) are currently running a campaign in support of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, trying to make people aware of the fact that even though the Hunting Act was passed in 2005 banning the killing of wild mammals by hunters with packs of dogs, the law is broken on a regular basis and foxes and other small mammals are being chased until the point of exhaustion and then viciously killed. If you call by the store there are postcards which you can sign which will then be sent to the local police Chief Constable urging for the enforcement of the Hunting act to become more of a priority, as, at present, the police have stated that it is not a priority. I write this is on here as I know there are lots of animal lovers who may be concerned about the welfare of foxes and such other creatures and think that the more poeple who get involved, the bigger the impact that can be made.

Got it! Just about to reply

magsie- I got the PM but email doesn't seem to have come through. I'll keep checking it though x