Call to enforce ban (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Call to enforce ban

1:20pm Thursday 19th February 2009 in Readers' letters By Telegraph & Argus

SIR – Yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of the date the Hunting Act came into force, outlawing the cruelty of hunting with hounds.

Sadly, although 75 per cent of the population support the ban, there are still people who think killing for fun is acceptable and some who think it is fine to harass and intimidate hunt monitors.

Monitors often face verbal abuse, threatening behaviour and sometimes physical violence while attempting to monitor the hunts both peacefully and within the law.

Having watched shocking footage of the behaviour to which some of our monitors are routinely subjected, it is my view that hunting has long ceased to be a country pursuit and is increasingly becoming a front for thuggery and anti-social behaviour. Despite this, our monitors continue to work with police and the CPS to bring those who break the law to justice. They must be supported by full and rigorous enforcement of the Hunting Act.

I urge readers to contact their MP and ask that they join the 20 per cent of members of Parliament who have already signed Early Day Motion 481, which calls for greater support for the police in the enforcement of the Act.

Douglas Batchelor, chief executive, League Against Cruel Sports, New Sparling House, Holloway Hill, Godalming, Surrey