"is there any conceivable justification for human beings killing other creatures in a savage and horrific manner?"

I personally don't think so, but that is not what this is about. We factory farm animals in a barbaric way that makes hunting with dogs look like good animal welfare practice - anyone fancy trying to get legislation through to ban that?

The point is hunting with dogs it that is a cultural tradition, and if you start legislating against cultural traditions and practices you are on a dangerous and slippery slope. Where do you draw the line? There's a lot more involved with hunting than the act of pursuing and killing a fox, and that is what these people are being forced to give up.

I'm not stopping playing music in pub sessions because some politician who hates a tradition he doesn't understand says I should - I suspect that is how the pro-hunters feel.