I MUST disagree with John Phelp's letter Everyone has a duty to respect the law, Points of view, March 18.

The truth is that many of our basic rights were only won by people who were willing to go out and openly flout the law.

I have been informed by Defra that my use of dogs to flush deer from my woodland is now illegal unless I shoot the flushed out deer.

I believe very strongly that this violates my basic human rights to manage and peacefully enjoy my own property.

Flushing out deer with dogs is an enjoyable experience and one that I can perform with family and friends.

I have no wish to shoot the deer I flush out and if I did so it would be very upsetting for all concerned — not least the animals themselves.

I have done my best to secure my rights through legal means by joining the Countryside Alliance's Human Rights challenge against the law.

In this case, the Government, backed by the RSPCA and League Against Cruel Sports, argued that it is right that the law requires me to shoot all the deer I flush out to prevent my dogs killing them.

In all the years I have flushed deer, my dogs have never killed nor harmed a single one.

If I shot all the deer I flushed out, I would by now have killed many animals.

Deer are naturally flight animals. It is perfectly normal for them to be flushed out by approaching dogs and this causes them no suffering or harm.

In contrast, shooting a deer causes it enormous distress.

John Phelps says that everyone has a duty to respect this law. I disagree. I believe it is not only my right but also my duty to openly flout the Hunting Act and I will continue doing so until it is repealed.

Respect is a two-way street. If the Government wants us to respect the law it should not pass ones that are so patently absurd.

Giles Bradshaw

Rose Ash, South Molton

(by email)