GILES Bradshaw's self-righteous view that killing a vixen with cubs is "an appalling thing to do" is unbelievable.

"Cubbing", disguised by the title of "autumn hunting", takes place supposedly to train the young hounds and disperse the young cubs to fresh areas.

I have been re-reading a report entitled "A brush with conscience — why a huntsman abandoned his sport". This concerns Clifford Pellow, who had been hunting since childhood and describes some of the things which caused him to leave.

He says that at a typical cubbing, a previous reconnaissance has indicated where a vixen and cubs may be found. The cubs will be inexperienced and still dependent on their mother, who, when alerted, will put them underground for safety.

The vixen will then break cover and lure the dogs away from the site, the dogs will be allowed to chase her for a short distance before being recalled.

Meanwhile the cubs will be dug out and killed, every one, and the hunters will congratulate themselves on a good morning's cubbing.

A pretty story isn't it? The other horrors in the report are too grisly to relate.

The late Duke of Beaufort, who was a Master of Foxhounds, wrote a lot about hunting. He said: "It is essential that hounds should have their blood up, and to be savage with their fox before he is killed." He also said: "I would not be foolish enough to state categorically that hunting is never cruel, unfortunately, not all the people who hunt are humane, I have no doubt that cruelty does occur."

He should have known what he was talking about, surely?

Joan Jones

Devon Heath

Chudleigh Knighton

(by email)