‘The fox hunting year commences on 1 May. 1 February is the last date on which notice should be given or received from hunt servants.’
This is only a few of the rules that fox hunters have to take into consideration when hunting. A fox hunter’s opinion is that if they stick to these rules then there shouldn’t be a problem with what they are doing.
Fox hunting is also seen as a tradition and in some families the tradition, along with the skill and knowledge, has been passed down from generation to generation over the years giving families a sport to enjoy together. Matt Simpson
says:
‘On a more personal note, foxhunting has been somewhat of a family tradition since my father began hunting in the late 1940's. It seems only natural that he would be drawn to the sport, being a life-long horseman who grew up in the saddle, farmed with horses and mules, and dabbled in thoroughbred breeding and racing until 1954 when, in his words, he sold his racing stable, bought a tractor, and got married. He didn't hunt much while his children were growing up, but about the time he finished putting us through school, he took it up again, and persuaded some of us to start also. At one point, he took great pride in having three of his children, plus a daughter-in-law, hunting with him’.
One veterinary opinion on fox hunting is that “It is the natural, balanced, biological method of controlling wildlife, proven over centuries.”
A statement supported by over 500 members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons included that "Hunting by hounds is the most natural and humane way of controlling the population of all four quarry species - fox, deer, hare and mink - in the countryside."
Arguments for a Ban on Fox Hunting
The main argument for a ban on fox hunting is that it is cruel on the foxes. We would never dream of putting another human being through that fear pain and torment (unless of course you were insane) and of course if we did do that to another human being we would be locked away. Is a fox not a living creature that can feel pain? Yes they can. Maybe this is just a way of letting aggression get the better of us.
Robin Roth suggests that people who commit abuse to animals often go on to commit violent crimes on human beings.
‘Studies of prison inmates reveal that as many as 75% of violent offenders had early records of animal cruelty. There is also a high correlation between family violence and animal cruelty. A study in 1983 of New Jersey families referred to youth and family services for reasons of child abuse reported that 88% of cases had at least one member of the household who physically abused animals. An English researcher found that 83% of families reported for animal abuse also had children listed at high risk of abuse or neglect.’
On researching this on the above and other websites I have found that may of these acts of abuse involved torturing the animal before killing it. Foxes are also tortured before being killed. A lot of the time the hounds have killed the fox by ripping it to shreds with their teeth before the huntsman catches up with them. These are just two pictures from
The fox above left has been torn up so badly; that all is left is its head. The fox above right has been tortured, scared and hurt so badly that its eyes have bulged out of its head. Some argue that there was no need for this animal to suffer as it did.
Fox hunting in Britain should be banned. Although the argument against the ban is bigger the argument for the ban is stronger and more and more people are fighting for a ban. The cruelty of animals associations is working hard to force a ban and Animal Rights Welfare is even going out on the streets to get petitions signed. The evidence above shows that the answer to the question Should Fox Hunting Be Banned? Is that yes it should be banned. Foxes may seem like vermin but they are still living creatures and the population of foxes could be controlled in a more compassionate manner. Huntsman should take up a more humane sport to relieve there aggression and perceive that hunting is wrong.
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