WHENEVER anyone now talks about the repeal of the Hunting Act, the image that is projected is one of fox hunting.

The red demon of the countryside and grim reaper of the lambs and poultry, breaking into people's home and attacking wives and children.

Why, during the summer months, did a stream of fox-attack stories merge?

The old favourite is the white van which releases 47 foxes into the countryside which have been caught in urban areas.

Witnesses were able to count up to 47 foxes leaping out of the van but were unable to take down the vehicle registration!

Should the Hunting Act be repealed, then all the other less acceptable aspects of hunting with hounds would reemerge: hare coursing, stag and hind hunting and maybe a return to otter hunting.

Are there any minks left to hunt with the otter numbers recovering nicely?

The new head of the Countryside Alliance is calling for David Cameron to "right a great wrong" and repeal the Hunting Act.

Now, that could do him and the Conservative Party great damage. 700 hours spent on it last time and the police unable and unwilling to enforce it with Tony Blair's dark hand having being placed upon it.

Whatever your view on hunting is, they are larger issues surrounding it, both national and internationally.

Can we have a small powerful political pressure group winning the hunting argument against a tidal wave of public option.

In parallel we have the Spanish taking the first steps to outlaw bullfighting in some regions.

There are originations trying to stop the Japanese hunting dolphins and maintain the restrictions on whaling.

With these campaigns, our voice is required to support a more tolerant and animal-focused environment. Bringing back hunting simply diminishes our influence.

The Japanese hunters will cry 'it's our tradition, our way of life' as they sail the dolphins.

Graham Forsyth

Fairway Rise, Chard Somerset