I WONDER if all the people who turned out to see the Boxing Day hunts in Pershore, Broadway and elsewhere would have been so keen to do so if they had been aware of the fate of the hounds they were so keenly watching?

How often do we see such foxhounds being kept as companion animals, like labradors, spaniels, boxers and many other breeds of dog?

Hardly ever. And the reason for this is because, almost without exception, they are all put to death by the hunts before they are about seven years of age.

Many are killed as pups, if it is decided they are unsuitable for hunting, and the rest when they have outlived their usefulness to the hunt, because of age or injury.

This amounts to about 5,000 of these dogs being shot or killed by other methods in this country every year and is every bit as appalling as the suffering and slaughter caused to wildlife by hunting.

It is yet another reason why the current "ban" on hunting is woefully inadequate and why it should be strengthened so hunts are not allowed to operate at all.

Ronald Lee

Worcestershire Vegans and Veggies