Ritva Kurittu Wrote:
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> Then why is it, that we do not see
> huntingparties chase a rat during a whole day,

Because (a) the rat is much smaller and cannot run as far or as fast and (b) it does not normally live in open countyside; most are found in shelter (such as barns, homes, compost heaps, sewers) where it is impractical to ride behind hounds.

> untill it is completely exhausted and probably
> more dead than alive when caught by the dogs,

There speaks the voice of ignorance.

> Surely, if fox are such vermin, they can
> be disposed of in more humaine ways?

Over 90% of those that are killed are killed in ways other than by being hunted with hounds. (In fact, the single largest killer of foxes in Britain is the urban-dwelling motorist.) Whislt I personally dislike hunting and would not do it, I cannot help but see this current ban as a spiteful, vindictive piece of legislation. If people want to have an enjoyable day out and do a minor bit of vermin control in the process, then that is their choice. They are not forcing anyone who doesn't want to to join in.

> You are soooo completely beside the point!

Whatever.


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Stephen