Letter: Hunting is no crime

Sir: It is the height of hypocrisy to wail about dogs being "put down" when hunting ends, while thousands of young dogs are murdered each year because they do not come up to the "standard" required for those brutal bloodsports.

Those dogs that do pass muster will also be killed at a relatively early age, or when there is any sign of them losing agility etc. Then there are all the casualties of this "sport". A damaged hound is of little use to those who kill for fun. Death again is the answer.

Mrs J MATE

Cheltenham,

Gloucestershire