Gervase -

The problem I have with the sport is that it is a celebration of needless killing, which has been our greatest failing as humans.
As we claim to be the most intelligent creature on Earth and the masters of all we see, shouldn't we be trying to lift ourselves away from such impulses, rather than wallowing in them?

Also, you mention that humans are thought to be the only creatures with self-awareness. Assuming this is true, are you really suggesting that for the purpose of the hunt we can simply turn it off like a tap, because the fox won't know the difference?
It is not a matter of anthropomorphising the fox's death, it is a matter of denying our own knowledge of life & death, right & wrong.
If we know of it we are committed to knowing of it.