SOME hunts would believe it lunacy to chase a man instead of a fox - but that is exactly what the Vale of Lune hunt did, and I read how they all thoroughly ejoyed it.
Like it or not, the ban on traditional hunting is here to stay - despite the promises made by Tory leader (and hunter) David Cameron.
This is probably why the Lune hunt came to its senses and decided to have a go at a man-hunt instead.
I must say it was refreshing to read a comment from the huntmaster’s father saying that chasing a man was much more ethical than pursuing a fox.
At last, I thought, there is hope for mankind (even some of them admit abusing foxes is cruel).
But what a pity there are still so many diehards insisting on killing foxes as before.
It appears that some people only have their own selfish interests at heart - the fox being just another pawn in their macabre game.
This is a game in which the hunt can only win if they kill the fox: even if the fox escapes and goes to ground after a long and exhausting chase, the game is still not over till it's dug out.
A dead fox caught by huntsmen
Like any decent compassionate human being, I have to question those that get their thrills from the suffering of an animal.
What kind of people are they that can witness a terrified animal (possibly pregnant or with cubs) being dug out?
Not only that, she is mauled by terriers underground.
I am at a loss to understand how any human being could stand by and listen to her agonised high-pitched screams as she is finally unearthed and dispatched with a bullet while her brood are thrown to the dogs.
I witnessed such an attack just a few years ago and it was brutal and without mercy.
It's not as if most of the men (and, yes, woman) present were connected to farming - since I later learned that most were from Ellesmere Port and Liverpool.
It must be said that many people who ride with hunts are not really country people. And let’s not forget they pay for the privilege of abusing animals.
Ugh.....
On the other side of the coin we have a hunt having a really fun time hunting a man. When that runner is caught, instead of meeting gnashing teeth and a horrible death, he is greeted by wagging tails.
Brilliant! Now that's what I call sport - all parties in agreement, not so loony after all!
I might even be tempted to offer myself up as a runner - though I wouldn't be able to promise a long chase!
Stuck up a tree - a picture of me by Jean Bennington.
I would need at least a 30-minute start, not the 10 minutes given to the runner in the Vale of Lune, otherwise it would be over before it began.
On reflection, I may also need to hone my tree climbing skills.
