Roger, I said it was not so very important in the scheme of things because it isn't. Just as being able to make music in public places isn't so very important, or many of the 'rights' that we cherish, when placed alongside war, genocide, induced famine and poverty and the abuse of children.

Gervase, this is exactly what I refer to as 'muddying the waters'. Not choosing to undertake, excuse or minimise any needless creulty - is a start.

When you are faced with the simple choice about whether to defend this particular needless creulty - (for a few people to obtain sporting pleasure by chasing and killing a fox with hounds) - even as you state that you don't consider its continuation to be 'so very important in the scheme of things - it is still seemingly important enough for you to choose to defend it here or critise others who do object to THIS particular cruel practice - why?