IT was very encouraging to see the results of the Points of view poll asking whether the Hunting Act should be strengthened.

A result of 86 per cent supporting a strengthening of the Act shows that the general public is well aware of the present situation, which is one of widespread illegal hunting taking place throughout the countryside.

The hunting fraternity's stated aim since the enforcement of the Hunting Act has been to smash it right off the statute book.

They have set about this with their usual brand of overbearing, bullying and deeply unpleasant behaviour.

The logical, democratic and commonsense approach to this lawlessness is to revisit the legislation and make the few adjustments necessary to make it completely fit for its purpose.

That is to effectively constrain the hunters, and show them that no one is above the law.

No one is better placed than the hunt monitors to know what is happening when the hunts ride out.

Exposed and unprotected, the monitors are extremely vulnerable.

Many monitors have been physically assaulted while trying to gather filmed evidence of lawbreaking and the Hunt Monitors' Association is strongly in support of an early tightening of the Act because we see at first hand the urgent need to protect the hunted animal.

We are delighted to have such a resounding result from your poll.

We hope MPs and the Government will take note.

Penny Little

Hunt Monitors' Association

Oxfordshire

(by email)