General Chat

I used to be pro-hunt, but when I saw for myself what happens, especially at a kill, it completely put me off. One interesting quote from someone I used to work with: "I hate cats - they hunt birds"; she was in the RSPB. Fair enough. But she also went hunting ...... I would be completely with the hunting fraternity if they resorted to Drag Hunting; as they themselves say, the issue is about loss of jobs, and hounds being put to sleep. If there was Drag Hunting, where would the jobs be lost? And, of course, the hounds would be spared. But no. A hunting acquaintance of mine said "but it's not the same as chasing an animal; you don't have the same thrill". Sorry, but there seems to be a lot of contradiction in their justifications to keep it going. No disrespect.

Brian, Quite-the decision appears to have already been made, with or without a sham debate........

For: There are so many things that need sorting, which affect humans, that focus on this issue is an abuse of Parliamentary time: it's driven by class warfare (any suggestion to ban coarse fishing would be rejected as stopping the working man's pleasures): it's being brought up now as a diversion from political troubles; it's yet another assault on a tradition/way of life; the almost empty chamber in the Commons for the "debate" followed by hundreds of MPs voting showed that all that mattered was the image not the substance; already overstretched police resources will be diverted from real crime; and I'm fed up of being told by what I can and can't do under the threat of prosecution.

I read one post that said Mere animals, we are part of the animal species !!!

Ginny, Did you not "hear" that the scenes in the chamber happened allegedly because of "insider" help? And The Issue of Iraq WAS demonstrated against by loads of members of the public.....the decision to got to war was already made,and was rushed through...........Bob

It just seems ironic that every time Labour is in the shite the issue of banning fox hunting comes up to get the sympathy vote from the public. Well I'm afraid it will take more than this to get my trust back into Labour - they are just a bunch of Merchant Bankers, could not organise a p***up in a brewery let alone the welfare of the people - sorry getting carried away. Oh and now sit back and see the countryside gradually get over populated with foxes, because shooting them between the eyes will be ruled out sooner or later. Lin

100% AGAINST

Does it not speak volumes that the sort of scenes in parliament yesterday did not take place when the country was taken to war in Iraq?

against!!

Attempts to ban fox hunting have been going on for 55 years. It's not a recent issue. Frankly, I've failed to see a valid argument from the Pro Hunting lobby that could not be resolved by drag hunting or installing better fences to protect livestock. Out here we have coyotes to deal with and our farmers seem to do okay. I don't buy "it's part of our heritage" either. That doesn't make it right. Imagine the furore out here if the farmers suggested hunting coyotes with pit bulls. Would that law get passed? I think not. Crista

Against - if they think it is so humane then they should try being on the receiving end. They kill their dogs too. Sadists who find any excuse to justify their bloodlust. Maz. XX

Totally Against How can anyone call it 'a sport' !?! How can anyone find pleasure in watching any creature ripped to pieces? Just one thought - if it was a 'working class sport' it would have been banned years ago !!!!

Dont hold your breath! as soon as this issue is done, there will be something else. They took away the legally held handguns, on the pretext that it would cut gun crime........Has it? I dont think so! The only difference is ..that they have not got a clue as to holds a handgun, apart from the fact that it is ONLY criminals that do............The Legal holders lost THEIR sport...and shooting holes in bits of paper IS a sport. As i said earlier, Watch this space.! the Anti's are lurking. Bob

I think they will have bitten off more than they can chew if they try to ban fishing, it is the largest non spectator sport in this country, plus (being very un-PC here) the participamts are largely working class, they don't fight by Mr Blairs rules. I short, if they try to ban fishing, they will have a riot on their hands Bev

All of those who say it is ok to hunt by chasing and being ripped apart should try to out run the dogs them selfs and see how they like it and IF they still think it is a good sport should offer them selfs as bait for the dogs to exersis!!!!!! I think we would see a different view then....TOTALY AGAINST IT

Totally against! Oh dear! the Government are about to take their favourite cruel sport 'toy' away from these barbaric upstarts ..... my heart bleeds for them ...... pity they didn't think of using all their free time and energy by doing something useful for once in their lives, a bit of honest hard work never killed anyone! I am a country person born and bred and I know that foxes or any wild life for that matter, only kill for what they can eat ... that's survival, ..... nature has a way of taking care of things in it's own way. Audrey.

i'm against daniel for the pure fact that i am probebly one of the people who are against all forms of cruelty apart from one which would have to be research into diseases.you might find that strange but if my daughter or anybody in my family had an illness that could be cured through research unfortunetly my family always come first.getting back to hunting it has been proved that when the dogs attack the foxes their not killed outright and they die an agonising death.the only thing that is going to be sad about banning fox hunting will be all those dogs will have to be destroyed because arrogant people that class this as a sport have put a death sentence on themxx

I agree with Oscar Wilde - "the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable". I have farming friends and they are not troubled by foxes killing their chickens because they spent money making the chicken house fox-proof. It isn't that hard. I have to confess that I have hunted when I was a teenager. The ride out was exhilerating and great fun. We didn't catch a fox, though. I only went twice my conscience spoke to me and I didn't go again. Gwynne

totaly against and i have actually gone and protested against it not just moaned bout it

Disregarding the mob element who always turn up at so-called peaceful demonstrations; I think it is a real shame there aren't thousands of people lobbying Parliament every day fighting for the rights of poor and abused children in this country - of which there are thousands. But sadly, this country seems more concerned with the welfare of mere animals than of human beings. Why is it the ROYAL Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and only the NATIONAL Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Say no more!!