READERS have reacted angrily to claims from pro-hunting groups that people want to see Parliament repeal the hunting ban.
Following the traditional Boxing Day Brocklesby Hunt, Lord Charles Yarborough said he believed people wanted the "sport" to return, adding many were concerned about an apparent rise in fox numbers since the ban came into force in 2005.
However, his comments sparked a great deal of debate on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk – with the majority condemning his views as outdated.
Here is a selection of what you had to say:
JackofGaunt: "This really does show how out of touch this man is. Does this multi millionaire land owner not understand that he is now living in the 21st century? Traditional hunting is now illegal. He seems to think that he can pick and choose laws to suit himself, but that is what the privileged landowners (and bankers!) have always done and will continue to do.
VoltaAmp: "There is reference in the GT article to a young girl taking part, starting with the hunt at 11 years old. Another younger girl is shown on a pony. We will soon be in 2013. As a society, do we really have to show children gross human failings in humanity? To normalise a child to barbaric blood sport is unbelievable. I would argue those parents are poisoning the minds of innocent children, by teaching them killing is an entertaining pastime. Any child (or adult) involved in killing for fun is displaying the ultimate arrogance. Will their arrogance to life, suffering and pain lead to other forms of amusement?
kizzymeg: "The constant rant from the riding classes when faced with opposition to hunting is the referral to the erosion of English tradition. I attend numerous country and village fairs, the folk festival at Meggies and, only yesterday, the quintessential English tradition – morris dancing. Yes, real ale is involved, so are families' good times, a true feeling of Englishness and the keeping alive of our heritage and upper class privilege is not pushed in your face. And not a single animal is slaughtered in the name of keeping alive old traditions."
Wildlifer: "Will somebody remove Lord Yarbrough's rose tinted glasses? Hunting is rapidly becoming a minority activity (how can it be called sport?). This is clearly an attempt at mind games by the hooray Henrys and their hangers-on, trying to create an impression that those of us that fail to accept this barbaric 'sport' are in a minority. Instead of leaving it to bias politicians to vote, I dare them to put the vote to the nation. Not so long ago I remember someone deciding that there were too many seals. I remember the public horror at the sight of cubs being beaten over the head with clubs. Is fox hunting so different? Allowing dogs to rip a terrified fox to pieces? If there are too many foxes causing farmers problems, then find an alternative, more humane way of culling them. But of course the numbers excuse is simply a very lame means to try and justify their actions. I'm proud to be British. It's our traditions that are the envy of the world. But the barbaric ripping apart of a defenceless animal is one that the world will struggle to understand and belongs in the dark ages."
django0909: "How about we cover all the toffs in chicken fat, give them a head start, and send them off into the fields ... closely followed by a bunch of foxes that haven't been fed for a month. I'd go down on Boxing Day and watch that!"
MarmadukeJink: "This lot need to get some proper hobbies, instead of spouting the same old nonsense every year. Unlucky, hunting is banned. Get over it. You talk about 'fantastic support' lol. Well bring back hunting and you will see what 'fantastic' support really is from the thousands and thousands of people opposing it."
Teddy36: "How anyone can refer to the hunting and tearing apart of a terrified animal as 'sport' is beyond me! Anyone who supports or takes part in such an activity are, in my opinion, despicable human beings! They should imagine one of their horses or dogs being hunted and bayed after until they are utterly terrified and exhausted, then, when too terrified and exhausted to carry on any further, being caught and torn to shreds – what a most horrifying death! It is not only cruel to the foxes, but to the dogs and horses taking part. Fox hunting also seems to contradict animal cruelty laws."
BobathSmith: "Keep it banned. How the hell can these blood thirsty idiots be so deluded into thinking there is public support for this cruel horrific so called sport? Perhaps there is an increase in fox population, but ripping them to shreds with dogs is not the way to deal with it!"
eboneeza: "It used to be tradition to burn witches at the stake but, guess what? You can't do that any more ... and you also can't hunt foxes with dogs either. Cry me a river."
AfricanMeggy: "Absolutely disgusting pastime! They want to bring back a 'sport' where a fox is chased, caught and torn to bits! The toffs actually think that they are better than us because they traditionally had 'sports' like this. Perhaps we need a revolution to redistribute the land and put this country right!"
