The Act must be enforced
I see the Countryside Alliance has a new spokesperson – sadly espousing the same hackneyed rhetoric, the same dubious statistics (Mailbox, November 2) .
Mr Bonner refers to his confusion over the 2004 Hunting Act. Can I suggest he reads it – it is not that complex.
Bull baiting, badger baiting and dog fighting, were banned under the 1835 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act; cock fighting was banned in 1849. Further action had to be implemented to protect badgers with the 1992 Protection of Badgers Act. With the exception of bull baiting all continue illegally today.
No doubt there are those who would have the above acts repealed such that their enjoyment is not compromised. The 2004 Act was introduced for the same reason as the 1835 Act to prevent cruelty to animals. The exploitation of mammals for fun is for the majority unacceptable and hence the 2004 Act must be rigorously enforced and if necessary strengthened to close loopholes.
I conducted a straw poll of 28 friends and acquaintances which provided 28 to 0 in favour of maintaining the 2004 Act, which bans the hunting of mammals with hounds. That's 100% Mr Bonner.
Also the concept that an individual who votes Conservative supports the repeal of the 2004 Act is false.
I, for one, will not vote Conservative in the forthcoming General Election if the party supports a repeal of the Act.
AF Wreathall, Queniborough.
3 Comments
by NORMAN BRYANT, west sussex
Thursday, November 19 2009, 2:01PM
“To Eric, if you were a member of the Countryside Alliance you would know that they do campaign against the closure of post offices and rural employment also to support Village Communities probably more so than any other organisation. They also support Country sports which in itself is a life line for many rural villages.”
by David Hankey, Great Easton, Leics
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 2:18PM
“It is more regrettable, Eric, that your beloved New Labour Party devoted so much Parliamentarian time in support of vermin!! What an absolute travesty when there are so many more important issues still outstanding after 12 years of this shabby Government.
Whether you and your ilk like it or not the hunting of foxes with dogs is tradition in this country and has been for centuries.
What right have this Government who are ever seeking the populist vote in their relatively short period in office to waste so much time on trivia?!!
Surprisingly and coincidentally I too, AF Wreathall, have 28 friends and they are all opposed to the ban and wish to see the next Conservative Party repeal this iniquitious law.
How on earth did anyone expect the Police to uphold this law when they already have difficulty protecting human beings?”
by eric goodyer, Unity House
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 10:38AM
“It is regreatable that the self-style Countryside Alliance do not champion genuine causes of concern in our rural community. These are employment, housing, services and transport. Our villages are dying because of lack of local employment opportunities and affordable housing. This leads to loss of business for local traders, thus the decline of the rural Post Office network, and the closure of primary schools. What I often hear in the more rural areas of Charnwood are requests for preserving primary schools, provision of better bus services, building of affordable homes for families with young children (for sale & rent), an end to planning contraints that prevent the provision of small industrial units, more busses, and a range of other issues that would help build a viable and diverse rural economy. I have yet to have anyone ask to be allowed to chase foxes to death on horseback. If there is a need to control fox populations to protect livestock then it can be done with a gun, and not as a sport..”