Fox-hunting is an inefficient way of controlling pests. I don't have a problem with killing animals for fun, but I do disagree with causing unnecessary suffering, particularly when the alternative - shooting them - is quick, humane and efficient.

Many people do have a problem with killing animals for fun, and I am one of them. I speak not as a townie or a Champagne socialst but as a one time crofter, shepherd and as one employed to slaughter many thousands of sheep.

Taking away life should be looked upon as the great responsiblity it is and should never be considered as 'fun'. Sometimes it may be necessary to kill, but I have worked alongside and worried about folk who did appear to find killing sheep to be 'fun'. I worried that, under different circumstances, they may also turn out to be the people who found killing people also be 'fun'.