I READ with interest the letters printed on May 21 from Dr Salvatore, Kathy Moyle, Mrs Street and F Holwill. The letter from H Lewis on May 18 was ludicrous. How can hunting be compared to the natural events which occur in the countryside?

I have often wondered how hunters can justify in their own minds this activity. How do they feel, dressed up in their red coats, as they lead this monstrous retinue of horsemen, dogs, terrier men and followers?

Do they feel heroic as they go in pursuit of animals who have absolutely no way of defending themselves? I can only think of it as an extreme form of bullying.

We are all animals (whether we like the term or not) and other species have as much right to their lives as we have to ours. Their only crime is doing what they have to do to survive.

Joan Jones

Chudleigh Knighton

(by post)