A RECENT report into the shooting of a stray horse by police marksmen near York has revealed that eighteen rifle shots were needed to kill the animal. Two were fired from long range but only wounded the animal, a further thirteen were fired from closer but the horse remained alive and three more shots were needed to kill it.

The Hunting Act demands that wild deer cannot be flushed out unless the animals are all shot dead. The purpose of this is to prevent the animal being chased by the dogs.

Anyone who knows anything about animal welfare will know that being wounded by a rifle shot causes far more suffering than being dispersed by dogs.

In my opinion to shoot a wild animal solely to obey a ludicrous law passed by MPs, such as Exeter's Ben Bradshaw, would be utterly immoral.

I've been flushing and chasing wild deer with dogs for the last five years; why can't the hunts?

No one should have to obey absurd laws.

Giles Bradshaw

Rose Ash