UNFORTUNATELY Mr David Spratt reveals that usual lack of understanding of foxhunting which is suffered by so many of those who oppose this traditional countryside activity (Letters, January 9).

The fox is never tortured, he is either killed cleanly and with certainty within a few seconds if the hounds catch him, or he escapes unscathed. Foxhunting contributes to the control of foxes which are pests to sheep and poultry farmers, who are also at times obliged to shoot or snare them to protect their stock.

Both these alternative methods of control, which would increase if foxhunting ceased, can lead to uncertain or lingering, painful death, but Mr Spratt does not concern himself with this fact.

Nor is there any vestige of a ?lust for blood? amongst any of the great many people who follow the hunt either on a horse, on foot or in a car.

The pleasure derived by followers of hunting comes from the opportunity it affords country-loving people to ride over beautiful and often challenging countryside and witness one of the timeless rituals of nature enacted, mostly unseen, every day when predators hunt their prey.

David Wright

Holewell Farm, Walkhampton

WITH reference to David Spratt?s letter on hunting, could he explain the following:

If hunting is ?torturing and killing? wildlife in a ?barbaric? fashion, why are hunters not, as would be only right and proper, prosecuted by the RSPCA on a regular basis?

I would happily take Mr Spratt, or anybody else, for that matter, to see how a hunt functions in the field. There is nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of.

Mike Woolley, Tavistock