General Chat

Wonder if anyone is interested in this.

I just signed the petition, "David Cameron MP: Keep the Ban on Fox Hunting."

I think this is important. Will you sign it too?

Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/p/david-cameron-mp-keep-the-ban-on-fox-hunting-2

I have signed it.

My beefy long in the claw British blue gave Mr Fox a bloody nose last night, defending a neighbour's slow, fat old black and white cat. He def. won't be signing.

There won't be a vote because there is nothing like a majority for it in the Commons. The RSPCA will not be launching any more high profile prosecutions having been slapped down hard by the charities commission. The police have been instructed that they have other priorities when it comes to animal crime. These include hare coursing, dog & cock fighting none of which seem to bother 38.

Meanwhile the countryside will go on as it does in a sort of limbo where all of the hunts are in robust good health and nobody has lost their job.

Leaving aside the issue of hunting why does the sight of such an ordinary thing as a man or women riding a horse get up the noses of so many people ? That is what lies behind the fox hunting angst not the fate of the animals themselves.

There is a lot to say about fox hunting we have foxes .in the fields across from where we live .beautiful looking animals ..They do kill but that's what animals do to survive .its Barbaric how toffs on horses .think they can & their hounds chase & kill for Pleasure .Ban them for life .let them have a chase were no live animal will be slaughtered .they can still ride & the hounds will have a day out .no jobs lost or hounds put down Barbara

Last winter, I had a splendid close-up view of a fox as few ever see him, in his perfection, with a full winter coat rich red in colour, a clean white collar and thick brush of a tail tipped again with white. At the foot of the hedge, he caught my scent and turned quickly with the look of an alarmed animal. We made eye contact for a brief moment and then he was gone faster than Usain Bolt.

I was able to examine the imprint of his tracks, first in the snow and then in soft mud where the difference between the paw-print of a pet dog and a wild fox could easily be seen: The fox print is rather dainty, while that of a dog tends to have more bulk, and the rear pad on the foot of the fox is placed behind the four front toes, while the same pad on a dog’s foot is almost encircled by the four toes.

In addition, a wandering pet dog tends to explore its surroundings and leaves a zigzag trail in its wake, while a fox knows exactly where it wants to go and moves in a straight line. That's how the Romans used to construct their roads - straight on with no meandering.

Most foxes leave a pretty strong smell behind them too, giving further indication of their recent passing. Long may they continue to do so.

I have signed Ann :-)

Me to Ann :-)

Also signed

Maureen

'The welfare of a fox or fox cub that is dragged from its underground refuge with the aid of spades, terriers & poles wrapped with barbed wire is certainly compromised, whatever about claims that the hunt 'dig-out' is part of a proud rural tradition'. (Irish Indo 26.03.14).

Just signed & hope it works. Some traditions we need to keep but this is one we don't.
Hilary.

And could this euphemism not also be applied to a hare that is terrorised, mauled & tossed about by dogs like a paper toy for the amusement of a crowd of gamblers & weird thrill-seeking sightseers?

I've signed and if there's a petition to stop hare coursing I'll sign that too

"a fox knows exactly where it wants to go and moves in a straight line" ... they don't or else they have a 6th sense when a rifle loaded with .22 Hornet is pointing at them. Hence the unfortunately popularity of traps. Since I last shot a fox more powerful weapons have come into use.

The fox is top of the tree in the England & Wales it has no enemy predator except humans. That is why it leaves a strong scent it is marking its territory against other foxes and sometimes badgers.

A large and serious cat will take on a young fox but not an adult. In Scotland there are too few wildcats to bother the fox, maybe wolves will return.

I'd like to see wolves in , say, Hampstead Common, Hyde Park, Richmond Park and the New Forest. Not to forget Cannock Chase, the Brecons and the Peak District.

The trouble with foxes is that they are smart, opportunistic and will kill a flock of ducks, create mayhem in a hen house and so on. They will never have any friends in the countryside good looking or not. As a species they are far too smart to be wiped out and have no need of petitions from anybody. Thanks to their colonisation of urban Britain their population is probably at an all time high. Fleas too.

AnnCardiff, Hare Coursing is already illegal in the UK, though of course it still goes on

Despite Mr Cameron’s attempt, I doubt if foxes are pro-Tory. Lack of trust in politicians is good for their survival.

Thank you to those who have signed. :-)

My sentiments apply to all animals hounded by humans.
Hilary

nah, they're def. not Tory their mothers teach them about John Peel from an early age.

I stopped hunting 'cos I could not abide the practice of digging out the fox. As far as I was concerned if the fox had managed to go to ground that was that.

I still ride though and still wear my black hunting coat which is much stronger in winter than the rubbish sold by most tack stores. ( I haven't changed the buttons ). Horses don't like being ridden in the summer they get too hot and the going is hard.

Maybe somebody will get up a petition to stop touristic riding between Derby Day and the end of August. In the New Forest this could be combined with a ban on lycra clad massed cycling and a 20mph speed limit.

I wouldn't describe many people who go hunting as "toffs". Riding to hounds needs an ability to sit properly, strong nerves and trust in the rider beside you. None of these qualities are to be found in the average toff. OTOH Nottinghamshire miners have them in spades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfMgy00_UgI

It's fun.........to 'them'

Archaic idiots, I mean, who 'hunts' (murders/terrifies) anything

:-|

I have signed. I love seeing the fox come into the garden

Lizx