RECENT comments in the national press by the RSPCA and other groups suggest the Hunting Act is working as intended and does not need strengthening.

I can only assume that those who make such comments have not actually taken part in monitoring hunts, as the situation on the ground is one far removed from the fantasy that hunts are "trail hunting", that the law is being enforced and that the Act is worded in such a way that meets the objectives of Parliament and the public, who wanted to see the chasing and killing of wild mammals banned.

It has been shown time and again that so-called trail hunting is simply a front for hunting live quarry, where hunts use a fox-based scent and enter their hounds into places they know foxes will be found. Any chasing and killing which subsequently takes place is brushed aside as an "accident".

The Hunting Act does not contain a reckless behaviour clause, which is common in much other legislation, and this gives the hunters the ultimate get out of jail card.

It is the hunt monitors at the sharp end of the battle to protect our wildlife who know and report the truth regarding the state of anarchy that exists in our countryside.

Protect Our Wild Animals has been running a campaign, Build on the Ban — Strengthen the Act, which has gained momentum after the Labour MP John McDonnell's Early Day Motion calling for a reckless behaviour clause to be added to the Hunting Act 2004. Full information on the campaign can be seen at www. powa.org.uk

Chris Gale

Dover Street, Chippenham

(by email)