Government report details dogs' plight
HUNTSMAN Tony Wright says readers may be interested to know that "... no hounds at the Exmoor Foxhounds kennels are shot in their prime", Claims that hounds are shot ridiculous, Letters, October 1.
In my letter of September 28, to which he responds, I made no such claim. I said hounds are usually shot at the age of six or seven, halfway through their natural life, when they become a little slow in keeping up with the rest of the pack.
Hounds are, of course, only shot when past their prime. The old dogs being looked after by Mr Wright are fortunate as it is not common practice. Few hounds die of natural causes as a result of old age.
This matter was discussed at length in the Government Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England & Wales – June 2000. In Chapter 6, dealing with animal welfare, it is stated at page 122: "It is common, but not universal, practice for hounds belonging to the registered packs to be put down after some six or seven years hunting, when they are considered to have reached the end of their working lives. The Countryside Alliance estimated that the Masters of Foxhounds Association packs put down about 3,000 hounds a year in this way."
Most letters published in the Echo about hunting concern cruelty to the quarry species – deer foxes and hare but little is said about the hounds who frequently suffer serious injuries, or death as a result of going onto roads or railway lines.
John Phelps
Argyll Road, Exeter
5 Comments
by Samantha Keen, The Green Gables Exeter
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 8:58AM
“John Phelps
is one of the most clever,caring,knowlegable,gifted person on the planet.
he is doing a wonderfull thing bringing to the attention of all the cruelty and sick people who particapate in this bloodthursty
and twisted world.
john i love you geez
x”
by Jon Burgess, Worcestershire
Monday, October 05 2009, 9:26PM
“Perhaps Mr Phelps and his monitors might try monitoring the dog fighting gangs who are inner-city based. Much easier than hunt monitoring as the RSPCA already has a map with all the hot spots for this nasty criminal activity mapped out. No wandering about muddy fields in mid winter with your camera why not go to London or Manchester by car or train. As the dog fighters taking pride in their gruesome
pursuits being recorded on video there should be little trouble getting the evidence for a conviction.”
by Bog Fox, Dorset
Monday, October 05 2009, 8:29PM
“John, you write with such arrogance, as if you know what your talking about. You have spent no time in kennels, caring for hounds. You are a man dedicated to the irradication of hunting and sadly will say anything on your quest. Mr Wright is a greatly repected countryman who has spent his life caring for hounds 24/7. There are many many people in hunting who spend a great deal of time, love and money on caring for our hounds. To be involved with them is a great joy. I for one feel very luck to be able to help care for hounds. What you say is frankly offensive. We do not put our hounds down when they are a little older or past their prime. Experience of the older hounds is a vital quality for the pack, they teach the puppies and teenagers how its done. Older hounds can be trusted and ensure a pack obeys the rules. They are our companions and we love them dearly. So much so that one huntsman at the ban was quoted as saying "if you want my 'ounds, you'll have to shoot me dead first"
For some hounds, when the time comes, they a put to sleep in their home environment like most reponsible dog owners do for their pets when they are ill or old. Many many hounds live out their lives and die of natural causes such as viruses, disease and cancers whilst still in kennels. Most of our hounds hunt into their 11th or 12th season. To say otherwise is misleading. Hounds are working animals and are looked after 24/7 by the hunt team. The hounds are feed the best raw flesh disposed of for farmers, they are exercise for miles each day and are the happiest of animals, just look at the sterns (tails) waging at a meet. One of the most beautiful sounds in the countryside is a pack of hounds singing together in kennels. They do this when they are happy and it is wonderful. John Phelps I wonder if you have any knowledge on the subject at all?!”
by Sarah, Surrey
Monday, October 05 2009, 3:06PM
“Oh, sorry, they call themselves "hunt monitors" now don't they.”
by Sarah, Surrey
Monday, October 05 2009, 3:05PM
“In our experience, hound injuries on roads and railways are usually as a result of hunt saboteurs laying false trails and blowing horns from the other side to call the hounds across.”