PERSONALLY I have no axe to grind in the ongoing hunting with dogs furore between those who want the Hunting Act of 2004 repealed and those who are fervently against a repeal, but I do think that if a promise was made during the General Election hustings by the Conservatives that Members of Parliament would have a free vote on this contentious issue then it should be honoured.

There can be no doubt at all that many feel that chasing foxes and stags over the countryside and then being killed by packs of baying hounds when caught is barbaric and there are others who see it as a "sporting" day out with the dual purpose of killing foxes and stags that decimate their farm animals and property.

Both factions have a point. But if there were those who voted for a Tory Government in the belief that it would repeal the hunting act then they will be badly let down if a free vote does not go ahead. I personally think it is too late to repeal the hunting act. I could be wrong, but even though the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government has far more pressing matters such as handling the country's quite dreadful fiscal problems, at some stage to clear the air once and for all it should find time to give Members a free vote on hunting with dogs.

Then perhaps those who are for hunting and those who are against it will be able to stop baying at each other like a pack of angry hounds!

Colin Richey

Lazenby Road, Tiverton