Letter: Cruelty of hunting

Sir: If cruelty to animals is to be the justification for banning hunting, it seems sensible that Parliament and the public be made aware that far more animals suffer far greater pain as a result of being wounded, but not killed, by shot guns.

The few foxes hunted by a pack of hounds each day, if they are not caught, suffer nothing more serious than fear and exhaustion. Of the many birds and other animals (sometimes thousands) shot at by a single shooting party, a significant proportion will be left to a slow death.

A ban on fox-hunting ought logically, therefore, to be accompanied, or quickly followed, by a ban on shooting. Why not start the debate now?

PETER TALBOT WILLCOX

London E1