| Should
fox hunting be banned? |
| Posted: September 23rd, 2002 |
| By:
Colin Coates |
 |
The battle between pro-hunt and anti-hunt supporters
has been raging for quite a while now. However, the war of attrition
climaxed when a staggering 400,000+ pro-hunt supporters marched on
Central London in protest of the governments moves to ban the sport.
What side are you on? |
In response to their ill feelings towards the
government, 400,000 hunt supporters held a march in Central London
on Sept 22 2002. They turned out in their numbers to protest about
the way they are being treated by the government who they believe
have no legal or moral basis to drag their rights to hunt with hounds
through the legislative halls of Westminster.
Although fox hunting is by no means the only issue annoying people
from the countryside, it is one of the bigger issues. Fox hunting
with hounds is a tradition in the English and Scottish countryside,
which has been going for centuries. That’s why countrymen and women
were up in arms the minute they caught a sniff of the government’s
intention to debate a possible banning of the sport.
Animal rights activists on the other hand have had just about enough
of the activity they call ‘blood sport’ and are horrified that it
is still going on in our countryside in this day and age. The government
finally buckled under the pressure from these groups and ministers
voted 386 to 175 for a ban. Even Prime Minister Tony Blair was among
those who supported a ban.
This is a highly contentious issue and one that might rage on for
sometime to come. Despite ministers overwhelming vote for a ban, the
government has swayed again and indicated that there might be a place
for middle ground, which would see strict regulations imposed on the
hunt instead of an outright ban.
To understand the complexities of the issues you must hear arguments
from both sides of the fence. Visit the links near the bottom of the
page for a greater insight.
Anti-fox hunting views
Animal Aid are opposed to all forms of animal cruelty - and they are
strongly oppose to hunting. They believe hunting with hounds has no
place in modern Britain. It should have ended years ago along with
cock-fighting, bear-baiting and dog-fighting.
When animal cruelty is portrayed by some as a 'sport' to get pleasure
from it debases society and promotes even more animal cruelty. It
is not just foxes and other wildlife who suffer. Horses and dogs are
also victims of hunting - viewed simply as 'sporting accessories'
many sustain fatal injuries during the gruelling chase and the poor
foxes are often savagely ripped apart by the hounds.
Pro-fox hunting views
People that support the hunt say that foxes are no better than furry
rats and need to be culled or their numbers could grow out of control.
They also say that hunting is the most natural and humane way of culling
these animals.
They also say that fox hunting is an integral part of country life
and the revenue raised from hunting will be lost and further deteriorate
their way of life if it is banned. Countryside Alliance literature
claims that 15,900 people whose jobs directly depend on fox hunting
would be out of work. Those that would lose out include direct employees
of the hunt and indirect businesses and workers such as farriers,
food merchants, livery yard staff, grooms, tack makers/suppliers transport
contractors and several others.
What are your views
Both sides probably inflate the figures to suit their agenda but there
is no escaping the fact that there is some truth on both sides of
the fence. What are your views on this contentious issue? Do you think
that fox hunting should be banned for good or can’t you understand
what all the fuss is about? |
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