Gervase - we are in agreement. I and MOST of the world would agree with you when you say.........

That's not to say that cruelty to animals is acceptable.

But despite this statement - you are still saying the chasing by dogs and the (eventual) terrible death of the fox - undertaken only for the sporting pleasure of some of the participants - IS a form of acceptable cruelty.

You may be able to accept and live with this strange double-standard -but happily, most of the world would prefer not to.