Sir, – Philip Donnelly (April 22nd) writes that in Britain a ban on hunting was "railroaded through the House of Commons by Tony Blair's Labour government". In July 2003 a free vote of all elected MPs resulted in a healthy majority of 208 members supporting a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs; after delays (occasioned mainly by objections from the House of Lords), the Hunting Act became law in 2005.
It’s worth noting that in Scotland hunting was banned in 2002, and has been banned for many years in several other European countries.
He is correct, however, in his assertion that cases brought against illegal hunting in Britain since the Act have been ineffective – this is probably a comment on the prejudices of enforcers of the legal system. It does seem strange that if a practice has been made illegal, those who wish to continue that practice will justify flouting the law. I do hold the hope that the human race will very slowly improve itself – having generally agreed that practices such as crucifixion, public execution, bear-baiting, dog-fighting, etc, are barbaric, it may be that one day cruel sports such as fox-hunting and hare-coursing are also seen in that light. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT HARRIS,
Ballydehob,
Co Cork.