THE report on a meeting of the East Devon Hunt at Woodbury Castle, Echo, December 28, included a picture showing seven hounds, but the Dogs (Specified Maximum) Order 2009 (East Devon District Council) limits the number of dogs a person may take onto land to six.

On December 14, I wrote to the chief executive of the council requesting him to confirm that the hunt would, in future, respect the Dog Control Order. I await his reply.

Hounds, when hunting, are under the sole control and responsibility of a huntsman. Although he may be assisted by a whipper-in, the responsibility remains with the huntsman. He alone has sole control of the dogs.

The Hunting Act 2004 bans the hunting for sport of deer, foxes and hares and hare coursing. But these days the former blood sportsmen purport to follow a scent trail laid by one of their members or supporters.

The trail is said to be followed by a pack of former hunting hounds who are, in turn, followed by riders on horseback together with other persons in cars or on foot who wish to participate in the fun. The game is, I understand, a pastime along the lines of a paper chase or a treasure hunt.

These activities, however, may constitute a contravention of Section 161 (3) of the Highways Act 1980 as it is an offence to play games on a highway to the annoyance of a user of the highway. I will be writing to the police regarding this matter.

John Phelps

Argyll Road, Exeter