‘Enough is enough’: Readers welcome move to ban trail hunting

Iindependent Readers responding to the government’s proposal to ban trail hunting supported the move; many said it was long overdue and needed to close what they saw as a long-abused loophole in the law.

Citing personal experience, many commenters insisted that track hunting was routinely used to disguise illegal fox hunting. Some argued that only a complete ban would end the persecution, claiming that hunts went unpunished and saboteurs were subject to intimidation precisely because they documented illegal activities.

However, some readers pushed back on the ban, warning that it could harm rural communities and livelihoods. They argued that trail hunting was legal, misunderstood by “townies” and supported rural businesses, from farriers to vets, from pubs to feed dealers.

Some suggested tighter regulation or independent monitors rather than an outright ban, while others feared the hunts would go underground.

Hunting agencies have denied allegations of widespread irregularities. A spokesman for the British Hunting Association said: “Track hunting remains legal and we do not accept the proposition that it should be banned. “It supports livelihoods, keeps small rural businesses going and keeps communities together, with over ten thousand greyhounds and thousands of horses kept specifically for this legal purpose.

“It’s more than just entertainment; it’s part of the economic and social lifeblood of the countryside, something that can be seen again when Boxing Day draws huge crowds.”

Here’s what you need to say:

I hope the ban comes very soon

What about deer hunting? I hunt both fox and deer around my 10-acre property in the rural South West. What’s happening is disgusting.

I have witnessed hounds kill a fox on my land and have also seen terrier men. I am grateful that I have never witnessed a deer or elk being killed. I hope the ban comes very soon.

Peace in the Rural

Ignorance about trail hunting and rural life

The level of ignorance about trail hunting and rural life in general is evident from the comments on this and other threads on the same topic. There is a high degree of mob mentality and propaganda based arguments from people who have no experience or personal knowledge of what they are arguing so passionately about.

I have watched our local hunt work tirelessly to promote trail hunting, witnessed runners paving the trails, community events, and the pride and effort in training dogs and horses.

There are so many misconceptions, one of which is that everyone involved in hunting is upper or middle class; It’s not like that. Most “horse” people are poor because all the money they have is spent on their passion for horses.

Some aspects of rural management are carried out by hunts; Who will undertake this task? There aren’t many people to ship dead animals. Jobs, animals and lifestyles are now at risk. Not to mention local pubs (another brutal industry), saddlers, farriers, feed dealers, farmers (again), vets… the list is quite extensive.

Farmers and rural people are struggling. On an increasingly unstable world stage, at a time when food sustainability is more important than ever, successive governments are responsible for decimating the agricultural industry.

The worst behavior I have ever encountered in hunts comes from “saboteurs” who are so blinded by prejudice and hatred that they are never willing to accept trail hunts within the law.

I’m going to be very upset about this article because it defeats the purpose of it. It’s not a popular idea, but like so many other popular ideas today, facts, facts, and respect for people living a different lifestyle are irrelevant.

sarahintheshire

Organize trail hunting

I have to applaud the UK on this; Here in Ireland, the three main parties voted against banning actual fox hunting last week, despite Sinn Féin promising to lift the ban in 2020 and almost 90 per cent of people wanting a ban. We do not have a functioning democracy.

Regarding trail hunting, perhaps I can edit it; I can arrange for an observer to be present. Their fees would not be too high among hunting members, or could be financed by a license. Many times hunt saboteurs have witnessed these teams of “trackers” killing foxes and then the hounds acting as if they had lost control.

Damo75

Disgusting

I cannot understand why all forms of hunting are not banned yet.

How can the upper class enjoy dogs tearing apart other animals, such as foxes, when this is still legal in Ireland?

And they call it a hobby?

Extremely disgusting.

Amy

Do people know the difference?

Do people know the difference between stalking and drag hunting? It doesn’t look like that. There seems to be an increase in courses, whether legal or not.

An unexpected consequence of the end of hunting and shooting is the disappearance of gamebird and fox populations in the true countryside; only the skinny “RSPCA” fox that is occasionally released into the “wild” and sticks around on litter day. I think most of them are being shot and trapped, and there are very few pheasant shoots left now; most endured.

Having lived in the same rural area for nearly fifty years, I think I can vouch for that. When something becomes commercially worthless, it’s inevitable; Like a Jersey bull calf. Think about this when you cream your mince pies.

As for the lineages dating back to William the Conqueror; all the way to Crufts with the greyhounds.

olecountry

A declaration of power

Hunters will ignore this as they do now. Their cruel activities are not “sporting” or conservation-related, as they cynically insist, but a statement of power.

They display the widespread view of rural people that the land and territories in which they live belong to them and are not to be dictated to by ignorant “townies”.

hayneman

Unfortunately it’s not a rare thing

My local hunt was fined for chasing a fox. They are also involved in blocking fox pelts before hunting to prevent foxes from hiding. They killed pets in their owners’ backyards. The list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, it’s not a rare thing.

sanch1

that’s enough

Trackers routinely flout the ban on chasing foxes in my village.

That’s enough, let’s put an end to this disgusting “sport”.

robbers

They may not have realized that the previous ban would be ignored

they can [hunt without hounds]but the hunts will tell you that this is not possible and that “all the poor little dogs will have to be shot because of the poor, stupid townspeople.”

I saw all the comments and threats 20-odd years ago when Labor introduced the ban. They cannot have realized that those with enough money and influence to break the law and persuade their serfs to attack game wardens, slash tires, or even drive a tractor into a cart with game wardens on board would ignore the ban, and would themselves ride horses on little sabers or whip them, taunt and threaten them.

If proof were needed, it is enough to show that the UK is not a democracy where everyone has equal rights and responsibilities, but a plutocracy, always governed by and for the benefit of wealthy elites.

Only when we become a republic will this country have a chance to become justice and democracy.

Fenwoman

Some of the comments in this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

I want to share your opinions? Just register your information below. Once you sign up, you can comment on the most important stories of the day for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘sign in’ or ‘sign up’ in the top right corner to log in or register

Be sure to follow our community guidelines, which you can find at. Here. For a complete guide on how to comment, Click here