SIR — I find it very depressing that in most discussions on hunting with hounds, loss of jobs and blockage of roads are cited as pros and cons but only rarely is the fate of deer, foxes and hares if hunting is stopped mentioned.
I fear that foxes will be snared, poisoned and shot in uncontrolled culling. These methods cause prolonged pain and can affect pet animals. I have seen this happen in an area where hunting stopped due to urbanisation.
Hares and deer will be shot for meat. Only expert shots can hope for a clean kill.
I saw a fox last winter limping along with a broken leg and abdomen full of shot. At a hare shoot you will hear some screaming.
A big stag was found dead with a jaw broken from shot. It had died of starvation, and there are many cases of injured deer mercifully found by hounds and shot dead at close range.
Stopping hunting is said to be an animal welfare measure. I think most wild prey will be worse off and the hounds and many horses will certainly not benefit.
Deirdre Milnes,
Veterinary Surgeon (retired),
Raymonds Cottage,
Withypool.