Hounds not treated as domestic animals
I WAS interested to read the letter Pet owners should take out insurance, Echo, September 25.
The writer said: "So many (people) now cast pets aside like disposable items when they become costly or inconvenient."
This is especially true of former hunting hounds. As the Hunting Act 2004 makes the sport unlawful the dogs are now unquestionably domestic animals and should, in my view, be treated accordingly.
Many people do not know that such 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.
Few people, including pensioners of limited financial means, would ever think of disposing of their domestic animals when they became old and costly to look after, but hunters and many members of the Conservative Party would dispose of them without giving the matter a thought.
John Phelps
Argyll Road, Exeter
Comments
by Melissa Phillips, Silverton
Friday, October 02 2009, 12:12PM
“Hounds AREN'T domesticated animals. They are WORKING animals. They would make unsuitable pets and to remove them from the pack would be cruel and immoral. Most are NOT shot half way through their lives so i'm not sure where you get this idea from. I've seen "elderly" hounds runnig with the packs still on the hunts I attend. Please experience hunting and get the facts before making silly assumptions.”