“Paul,

When do you hear about people dying from TB that was a result of a fox?

Nazi groups exist even though Naziism ended 65 years ago... does that mean we should just focus on silencing them? Nope... so why should there be a lot of focus on the diseases that are carried by foxes? You're more like to get infected with something by a rat than a fox.”

“I do not recall there being a referendum on the issue. You can quote as many numbers as you like about how many people you think are opposed to fox hunting, 90% of the people I know would rather the government spent the time they spent on instigating the ban on something more worthwhile. However sweet and cuddly you may think foxes are, they carry more deseases than rats, and heaven forbid that rabies or something similar, takes a foothold here through the fox poplulation like it did many years ago in France. If you think it can't happen, then think on this:- they said that TB was all but eradicated in the UK, but a few years ago it came back.”

“I am utterly disgusted and shocked at the people here condemning foxes. Bring back Fox Hunting? Hell no. It was part of the past, and it should stay in the past. At the end of the day, that fox didn't distinguish between a human baby and prey - it's not a smart animal.

Foxes get eradicated in harsh winters anyway as they are not pack animals. What is the difference between a fox's survival instincts and a human's? There are no differences. Oh, but we "intelligent" creatures make excuses if a human steals a loaf of bread becuase they're starving, or if a human squats in a property because they have nowhere to go. That is the same as a fox wandering into cities and towns looking for food, and potential shelter.

Foxes don't see places as "towns", "cities", "countryside" - they just don't. Look at the foxes you see prowling around bins and scurrying through gardens just to find scraps of food. Ask yourself this before persecuting the fox: Wouldn't you do anything to just survive, or to feed your family?
And furthermore, if Fox Hunting must be allowed, why use dogs to savage it? Hmm? Why let the fox suffer? The human race is far behind in terms of morals, priorities, and understanding.

Someone said to me we are the cleverest of all animals, but we are also the most stupid too because of reactions like people have posted here. And, they have a right to an opinion and to voice it on a public forum, but I hardly think it's a right opinion. And that's all I have to say.”

“A quick trawl around the internet and you'll find polls showing at least 70% of the population opposes fox-hunting. Back in 1997 a Daily Telegraph survey showed 77 per cent of rural dwellers and 84 per cent of urban people disapproved of fox hunting. I suspect that people's views have hardly changed since then. So not exactly a minority.

Calling people silly names (eco-mentalists) won't win you the argument either.”

“Paul you are so right, bring back hunting and stop these anti protesters destroying our past, and more importantly our future....”

“The environmental impact of banning fox hunting was never properly researched by the eco-mentalists who got it banned in the first place. Bring it back and bring in a government who stops bowing to the will of minority groups. Whats more annoying is that lifting the ban will cost many more hours of wasted parliament time after the hundreds of hours it to to get it banned in the first place.”

“One more from me - we have heard many stories in the past about certain dogs that have mauled people but we don't call for an immediate cull on all dogs - similarly we don't call for a cull on people just in case one happens to be a murderer.
Things happen, sometimes not very pleasant but as a society we cannot legislate for every single possibility.
The fox case was highly unusual according to all the experts and we do not know all the facts.
Mind you what do you expect when you see the headlines splashed across the Sun Newspaper sensationalising something out of all proportion.”

“Wouldn't like to see a knee jerk reaction to the Hackney fox incident.

Already the trapping and killing of foxes there was a surely a pointless exercise. More foxes will only move into the area... are they going to trap and slay them foxes also?

Those who propose a fox pogrom to persecute the urban fox should first look at our photographs of this year batch of cubs we have taken here in St Peters, Highfields, Leicester and tell us they would like to kill any of these... http://bit.ly/djtezx”

“Anne, i know your letter was in jest. However i did see the other day a family of foxes packing there bags and moving into the city as the hunt longer gave them any challenge now it is banned.”

“What a sad and desperate attempt to use an injured baby to justify your case in a debate.

Fox hunting is a pass-time that many enjoy and many abhor. The proponents often defend it on the grounds that the "kill" is incidental, they arent blood thirsty, the main attraction is social, the thrill of the chase etc etc.
If foxes need to be culled, then it should be done as humanely and efficiently as possible. Can anyone seriously think, whether pro or anti hunting: that a bunch of inebriated riders, dressed in red, blowing horns with a pack of hounds is going to be more efficient than a trained pest controller?”