Madam, - I refer to a letter in your paper on September 24th under the title "UK ban on fox-hunting" written by Johnny Couchman from Carlow.
Unfortunately, the performance of fox-hunters speaking in support of their sport leaves much to be desired. The simple fact of the matter is that fox-hunters enjoy the hunt and that fox-hunting is sustainable, meeting all international sustainability criteria. That should be the beginning and the end of the argument. Yet fox-hunting spokespeople allow themselves to be drawn into a debate about so-called cruelty. The killing of any animal, even farm animals, could in theory be described as cruel. Yet you will never hear an argument about cruelty to rats and mice which are caught and killed in traps. The reason is simple - rats and mice have an image problem. So why are fox hunters discussing cruelty at all?
We are now subjected to seeing people such as Johnny Couchman, and Kate Horgan of the IMFHA on Questions and Answers, falling into the cruelty trap (pardon the pun) and seeking to establish degrees of cruelty as a defence to the attack on fox-hunting. They talk about fox-hunting as being less cruel than shooting and less cruel than other forms of culling! In the process Mr Couchman gives a completely false account of the effects of shooting on foxes. These people are evidently prepared to attempt a defence of their own sport by attacking shooting. Perhaps they should realise they are doing the work of the anti-hunting organisations for them. When they eventually come under pressure from the antis and look around for support, they will have no friends left.
My advice to the fox-hunters is simple. Cop yourselves on before you find yourselves facing a far more formidable foe within the ranks of hunting. - Yours, etc.,
DESMOND CROFTON,
Director,
National Association of
Regional Game Councils,
Sandford Road,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.