A rural equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch
The Boxing Day hunts and shoots are nothing but an historical anachronism in our civilised society.
Our wildlife deserves better treatment than it gets at the hands of the hunters and shooters in their festive season hunts and shoots.
Gentle and beautiful creatures are being hunted and shot at and used as live targets for bloodsports – all in the name of "tradition".
Thankfully our investigators and hunt monitors will continue to be out in force to try to capture any illegal activity on camera so that it can be presented to the police and people can be held accountable for their actions.
We are, in a sense, a rural equivalent of the Neighbourhood Watch.
It is high time that there was legislation which made it a crime to be cruel to any animal, whether it be a wild animal or a farmed animal or a domestic one.
Using a live mammal or bird as a live target for sport is cruel, barbaric and should have no place in a civilised society.
Douglas Batchelor, chief executive, League Against Cruel Sports.
6 Comments
by Peter, Wigston
Friday, January 07 2011, 8:06PM
“So those who wish to rip apart defenceless animals for pleasure are 'blinkered' into thinking they may continue with their dreadful behaviour sometime in the future.
While those who are much more civilised will remain 'focused' on preventing such barbaric pastimes.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Friday, January 07 2011, 1:45PM
“"Blinkers" is certainly not an outdated term, it reflects the narrow view.
By all means stay focused as this subject is far from going to go away.”
by Peter, Wigston
Friday, January 07 2011, 12:40PM
“Quote: " I suggest you take your blinkers off"
'Blinkers' is an outdated term.
The modern equivalent is staying 'focused'!”
by CGLee, near Melton
Friday, January 07 2011, 12:10PM
“Oh, here we go again. Do the antis not realise that fox hunting is banned.
Like David I cannot see the logic of describing foxes as gentle creatures. An animal which kills all the hens in a hen house to take just one for eating can hardly be described as gentle.
I have no strong views either way as regards fox hunting but I still see it as the most humane method of killing them, and kill them we must.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Friday, January 07 2011, 10:27AM
“Meant to say:- "I suspect NOT given the following".”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Friday, January 07 2011, 10:26AM
“I wonder, after reading this article, whether Mr.Batchelor is really aware of the current situation. I suspect given the following.
For a start to say we live in a "civilized society" is misplaced and a phrase often used by the antis in their arguments. You only have to look at the recent news concerning the treatment of dogs at a bridge in Congerstone.
Secondly there are laws already on the Statute Book relating to the cruelty of animals both wild and domestic.
Finally, the fox, to which he is eluding to is neither "gentle nor beautiful". It is recognised as a pest and vermin!!
To Mr.Batchelor and the rest of the antis I suggest you take your blinkers off.”