I AM replying to Colin Richey's letter about hunting with dogs, Time to drop hunt ban, Gazette postbag, January 5.

He presents a romantic notion of hunting when the reality is these people are rampaging round the countryside torturing animals to death.

He also missed out the alleged intimidation of farmers who will not let them on their land, and the deaths of any livestock and pets that get in their way.

When, like me, you've had to listen to a deer screaming in terror and pain, with the hunters cheering and laughing at it, don't your dare tell me these are nice people.

They are no better than the gangs of thugs and bullies you get on housing estates and just the same as them .

SAM DUNNING Hazels Farm, Cove