Boxing Day is one of the most prominent days on the hunting calender, and therefore, a perfect time to raise awareness. To call for a complete ban on hunting.
In 2016, most people don't hunt for 'sport' or 'fun' anyway, the people who do hunt are a tiny minority. Most of us now see hunting as something which belongs in our past.
For most of us, seeing another animals being torn apart by a pack of hounds is not a sport. A sport is something which is light hearted, and good fun. We like to be 'good sports men', when we participate in sports. When we are good sports men, we treat others with respect. Therefore, hunters are not good sports men – it isn't respectful to tear apart your 'opponent.'
Most people don't see hunting as 'fun' either. You'd have to be devoid of emotion and empathy if you think it's in anyway 'fun' to rip apart an animal. Hearing the animals cries and screams.
Human attitudes towards animals have drastically changed during the last few decades. Nowhere is that change in attitudes more prevalent than how people view hunting.
New research has shown that most Brits are against hunting. Today, it was published that 84% of Brits oppose fox hunting. While 82% oppose in rural areas.
Polls show that there is no real difference between rural attitudes towards hunting, and urban attitude towards hunting.
The myth is perpetuated by hunters themselves. They try to erroneously make out that there is a rural vs urban thing going on here. They are wrong. It is about compassion vs barbarism.
The very nature of hunting is barbaric. Especially when it involves hunting with dogs. There is nothing; compassionate, humane or quick about a fox being chased, then ripped apart by a pack of dogs.
It is cowardly and cruel. An unfortunate fox who comes across a hunt, has no chance. Would hunters find it humane if they were chased by a pack of Tigers and savagley torn apart...obviously not.
Theoretically, hunting with hounds is banned in Wales, England and Scotland. But in practice, we know it still happens. And, the law turns a blind to those who deliberately break the law.
You can research for yourself the video evidence which shows that hunts are breaking the law. There have likely been more incidents were hunts have broken the law - but which haven't been caught on video camera.
Part of the problem is that the hunting with dogs is not banned outright. Both in England and Wales, and in Scotland, there are loopholes. It's worse in Scotland. And no one in Scotland has been prosecuated for breaking the law.
The time has come for a complete ban on hunting with dogs to come into force. Closing the loopholes. And giving jail time to those who break the law.
The only part of the United Kingdom which doesn't have any laws banning hunting with dogs is; Northern Ireland. A few years ago Northern Ireland could have implemented a ban. But, they voted it down.
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