With reference to the article on the Heythrop Hunt Boxing Day meet, you quote deputy Huntmaster Richard Sumner as saying: “There needs to be some sort of fox control and other methods are far more cruel than hunting.”
Imagine, if you will, that there were too many huntsmen at large in the countryside and control was necessary. Would it be Mr Sumner’s first choice to be chased until he could run no further, and then ripped to pieces by dogs? I doubt it!
I do not dispute that it is sometimes necessary to control the fox population, but the method used by Mr Sumner and his fellows is a barbaric anachronism in this day and age.
Peter Brain, Kidlington
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here