JOHN TIERNEY,
Sir, - At present, the fox cub hunting season is underway. This pre-blooding and training of fox and harrier hounds in fox killing is an integral part of the foxhunting calendar.
Although not widely publicised, cub hunting forms the essential basis of the season's foxhunting and is seen by the hunting community as the training ground for both fox and hound. Fox cub hunting is the process by which young and inexperienced hounds are brought into the hunting pack and taught to chase and kill foxes.
Fox cub hunting is a very private affair as this is not a sporting or a conservation activity. It takes place early in the morning or shortly before dusk. Only invited hunt supporters are present and their role is to ensure the smallest number of cubs escape the jaws of the hounds. The aim is to blood fox and harrier hounds as the more young foxes they savage and kill the better hunting will be in the main fox hunting season. There is no room for sentiment, as hunt officials show no mercy to fox cubs trying to escape from the hounds.
It must be remembered that young fox hounds must be taught to kill fox cubs as it is rare for animals in the wild to kill others of a similar species. Fox hounds who fail to perform in the hunting field are quickly destroyed.
Fox hunting in any form is not necessary. It has no role to play in conservation. Its only function is to provide entertainment for people who are morally bankrupt, pathologically vicious and emotionally stunted. Cub hunting heads the list of atrocities carried out under the foxhunting banner. It can rightly be described as murder of the innocent. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN TIERNEY, Campaigns Director, Association of Hunt Saboteurs, PO Box 4734, Dublin 1