We shouldn't repeal the Hunting Act
ARE readers aware that there is a major campaign running to repeal the Hunting Act and make hare hunting and coursing, stag hunting and fox hunting legal again?
This multi-million pound campaign is supported by a number of senior politicians and the Government is allowing the House of Commons time to debate the issue once again, as if 700 hours of parliamentary time wasn't enough last time around.
I support the League Against Cruel Sports and their campaign to keep the Hunting Act. Almost 140 people have been convicted under the Act and there are a number of cases going through the courts right now.
Almost nine in 10 of the public support the ban on hare hunting and coursing and we must all now tell our elected representatives how important it is that they respect our collective feeling, and vote to protect our wildlife, not vote to legalise ritualistic abuse for "fun"
On the subject of abuse, I would ask readers to please spare a moment to think of the poor grey squirrel who was cruelly done to death by a human who found his existence inconvenient. I was upset and angry when I saw the news report of the 'murder' last week. The merciless man prosecuted by the RSPCA had trapped and drowned the creature. How barbaric and unforgivably cruel.
This cruel man would do well to think of the profound quote by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures."
Frances Wicks
Alphington Road, St Thomas
Exeter
6 Comments
by Rufus, Exeter
Wednesday, August 04 2010, 3:30PM
“Iain, what possible explanation could you have for the re-introduction of the death penalty? That's monstrous.”
by Wayne, Upper Halliford, Middlesex
Monday, August 02 2010, 4:48PM
“I think it's absolutely laughable that David Cameron is said to be allowing a "free vote" on the subject of repealing the Hunting Act and yet very few Conservative MP's are allowed to think for themselves. The majority of letters received by anti-hunt supporters from MP's in favour of repeal have been written from a template and have exactly the same wording and exactly the same quotes. If these letters were from individuals then they would all be different. So much for a vote of conscience. Where's the "free" speech when they are being told what to say or write by head office?”
by Tracie, South
Monday, August 02 2010, 4:14PM
“Ah, so you think it's disrespectful to readers of The Echo that the writer did not compose it herself? I imagine, therefore, that you will sympathise with the many hundreds of people who have written to their MPs to ask about their voting intentions, only to receive an identikit letter, composed by representatives of the Countryside Alliance but purporting to be personal replies. Worse, wouldn't you say, than this example here, as the recipients of those MP's letters had actually asked for a response and were entitled to a truthful, personal account of their MPs' intentions? Public servants, when approached by their constituents, should remember who they are paid to serve and not treat people with contempt, in order to wriggle out of admitting that they personally support something the majority of the public find abhorrent.”
by giles, Rose ash
Saturday, July 31 2010, 10:15PM
“Sarah has a point - this letter is basically plagiarised. could the author not show some respect for Echo readers by using their own words?”
by Iain, Newton Abbot / South West
Saturday, July 31 2010, 5:09PM
“You could start your own free petition at No 10 Downing Street,
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk
I am sorry, though, but I believe that grey squirrels and collared doves are merely American imports, are detrimental to our native wildlife, and must be destroyed by all means possible, although I cannot agree with anyone taking a personal pleasure from eliminating these pests.
Best we don't include seagulls in this discussion, though”
by Iain Butcher, Newton Abbot / South West
Saturday, July 31 2010, 5:01PM
“I'm afraid your voice will have the same impact as those of us who want the death penalty for criminals re-introduced'
;
None”