Letter: Puritans in pursuit of fox-hunters

Tuesday 17 June 1997 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Polly Toynbee has got it wrong about fox-hunting. Fishing is not the equivalent working class bloodsport. It is the baiting of badgers, bulls or bears, and dog and cock-fighting, and they have been banned for years, probably because, unlike fox-hunting, they have not had influential friends to defend them.

Some intensive farming practices are indeed cruel, but what justification is that for savaging live foxes to death?

If a thing is wrong, it's wrong, and I hope Parliament ignores Ms Toynbee's red herring and proscribes this ugly relic whose surface glamour masks its vicious reality.

JAMES SCOTT

Milton Keynes

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Letter: Puritans in pursuit of fox-hunters

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering