False claims could inspire extremism
FOLLOWING my recent letter Shocking comments about bull-run death, Wednesday, August 3, and other postings made on their website, the League Against Cruel Sports have put out a statement condemning the gory death wishes expressed by many of their supporters.
I would like to express my gratitude to them for doing this. They should be respected for standing up against the tide.
It has to be said, however, that any review of the online statements made by anti-hunting activists paints a very unpleasant picture of some of these people.
A recurrent theme on some of these sites is to equate people who support country sports with child abusers and to declare them as "sub human".
What is interesting is how statements by celebrities and organisations such as the League feed into the febrile minds of these people. In this case it should be noted that the pop singer Morrissey, who they lionise, declared the Chinese to be a "sub species", and the League has stated that people who involve their children in country sports are child abusers.
After the recent killings in Norway – which Morrissey has stated are not nearly as bad as factory farming – and the deep frustration at the failure of the Hunting Act to stop hunting, I worry that a similar tragedy could unfold here.
The League's new chief executive Joe Duckworth has recently sent a round robin letter to the press claiming they "know" hunts are breaking the law. This is a blatant untruth. In fact, in spite of extensive monitoring, that of the 200 or so prosecutions only a tiny proportion have been against hunts is powerful evidence that they are not. Mr Duckworth must surely be aware of the effect that his false statements make in galvanising extremism.
Giles Bradshaw
Rose Ash
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by GilesBradshaw
Thursday, September 08 2011, 1:31PM
“@Scamon might have a bit of a point. I've been carrying on chasing wildlife with dogs and the police do nothing.”
by Scamon
Wednesday, August 24 2011, 2:25PM
“The reason there have been few prosecutions for hunting is that the police have decided not to enforce the law.
When we let the police do this we are on a slippery slope. It should not be up to them to decide what to enforce and if we are going to allow this to continue we will end up with a police state.
In the recent riots the police had their chance to sort it quickly and failed miserably which just goes to show they are not capable and must be overseen at all times.”
by Will1947
Tuesday, August 09 2011, 5:20PM
“How come I don't see or hear any more foxes now than before killing them by hunting with hounds "stopped"?”
by Dolly_Willets
Monday, August 08 2011, 10:29PM
“@ junkers, for some reason this story is 'Gloucestershire news'???
I'm miles from my normal double entendres stomping ground.
Yay! Not been to Exeter for years!
Seem to remember being happy in the haze of a drunken hour in a pub opposite a furriers where a red paint attack was still visible running down that hill... Doh soz, off subject! Kate Bush... ; )”
by GilesBradshaw
Monday, August 08 2011, 9:41PM
“I think that is burns report - there are other estimates but they are all roughly around that”
by junkers99
Monday, August 08 2011, 9:27PM
“"@Will1947 hunting with hounds alone accounted for maybe 15 or 20 thousand foxes. That is about a fifth of all the foxes killed by shooting. That was a substantial proportion.
Where do these figures come from exactly?”
by junkers99
Monday, August 08 2011, 9:26PM
“@Dolly_Willets
It was so serious that he hung the DJ and heaven knows,he got miserable. Still, what difference does it make?”
by GilesBradshaw
Monday, August 08 2011, 9:11PM
“@Will1947 hunting with hounds alone accounted for maybe 15 or 20 thousand foxes. That is about a fifth of all the foxes killed by shooting. That was a substantial proportion. For Hunting with hounds to be a viable form of fox control it has to be paid for. This is done by the field that follow the hounds. The mounted field are fox hunting but they are not hunting a fox with dogs.
The actual hunters are the hunt staff. The hunt marries two interests. The landowner for fox control in the method he prefers and the riders for equestrian sport of fox hunting.”
by Dolly_Willets
Monday, August 08 2011, 9:03PM
“It was really serious when Morrisseys' girlfriend was in a coma back in the 80s.
It was though, junkers! Really serious!”
by junkers99
Monday, August 08 2011, 7:24PM
“It also needs to be said, that there are many, many online statements from pro hunt folk that are very nasty and vindictive indeed. I'm getting rather tired of seeing letters akin to Mr Bradshaw's assuming that all hunts people are somehow victims of foul remarks and offensive comments from the antis! It works BOTH ways, as you, yourself, well know, Mr Bradshaw, and I can testify to some rather nasty comments made by yourself on many an occasion!!!
As for Morrissey? well, he's enjoying making controversial remarks as he often does, and has done for decades now. It's nothing new! It what one expects from him. Take it or leave, but never take it too seriously, Mr Bradshaw!!
Your lovely comment about antis having 'febrile' minds can also be equated to the pro lobby, you so adore, as they leap at the slightest hint of a repeal of the act, which, let's face it, has very little chance of being discussed in parliament any time soon!”