Hunting: more reader comments on the debate
In light of recent letters regarding which parliamentary candidates support the Hunting Act 2004 I can categorically state that I support the legislation.
If elected to be your next MP I will never support any attempt to repeal the Act on the basis that I believe hunting with dogs is an immensely barbaric, cruel and sadistic way of entertainment.
The legislation goes someway in protecting foxes, deer and mink, against unnecessary suffering, but has also outlawed hare coursing completely.
The superfluous arguments used to justify proposals to repeal the legislation by members of the Conservative Party, namely that people sometimes flout the law and that these animals are pests, are frankly ridiculous.
It is the equivalent of stating that we should remove murder legislation because it doesn't prevent every murder, and if these animals are considered such pests there are more humane and effective methods than chasing a creature to exhaustion before pulling it to pieces.
If elected the Conservatives are planning to re-open the issue by holding a free vote on the Act.
This comes at a time when many would argue there are more pressing issues facing Britain .
Over the past year I have talked twice in person with Dan Norris MP, Minister of State for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and we both agree that the legislation should be kept. I have also joined the national 'Back the Ban' campaign.
I hope that in the fullness of time the activities banned in the Hunting Act will be viewed as a central facet in the wider campaign against animal cruelty.
PETER ROBERTS
Labour Parliamentary spokesperson for North East Cambridgeshire
------------------------------------------------------
So Claire Wright of March, you are proud to hunt. You think it's OK to chase an animal to its death in the name of sport.
No it isn't OK, not under any circumstances. Sport by definition means that both sides have an equal chance of winning, this is not the case
with hunting. Any form of animal abuse or torture is abhorrent and should be outlawed and then remain outlawed forever.
I'm not against culling if necessary, but do it humanely with the aid of a trained marksman, don't chase an animal to its death. The hunting ban should never be repealed.
CLAIRE HUNT
Windsor Drive
via email
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wisbech
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North east
