The annoying thing is that not long ago I was told I was not a "animal lover" because if "trail hunting" is banned all those poor hounds would be shot. The hounds are much valued animals with generations of breeding, much loved by the huntsman and kennel staff.
So well loved and respected that they are shot in the head and thrown in a bin like rubbish!
So well thought of that they are so causally shot by the very staff that are supposed to care for them.
How can people that claim to care for animals treat them like this?
I can sort of accept that once dead it does not matter but people say that they use the hunt for a dignified end for their horses, yes they may be shot quickly and not know any more but would you really like to think of your "Much loved horse"being driven over by a quad bike or used as a seat for a workers coffee break? Such a dignified way to treat a body.
This is all aside from the very real risk to health by rotting flesh being left in open bins for birds and other animals to get to.
What was wrong with the hounds so causally shot in the head?
They looked pretty young and in good health to me?
Too many hounds? Stop breeding them.
How people can be happy for this to go on and yet then blame anti hunt people for the threat of hounds being put down when trail hunting is banned is quite honestly ridiculous and I hope hunters hang their heads in shame.
I know that is unlikely as they have no respect for the animals they abuse in the name of their "sport" Horses and hounds alike are just tools to be thrown away like rubbish when no longer of use.
Utterly disgusting.
I clearly struck a nerve with you Sandstone1, but can you please do me a favour and stop misquoting me.
I did not say you are not an animal lover. I do not know you personally. What I in fact said is that I find it hypocritical when people who say they are animal lovers call for all forms of hunting to be banned, in the exact way I find those who say they love animals that call for racing to be banned. They do not wish to see animals die but they call for the very thing that will cause thousands of animals to be culled. I'm afraid I do find that hypocritical and I stand by that opinion.
I'm not getting drawn into another argument over this as you clearly aren't able to keep things civil in a debate and I do not think admin should need to step in again. Neither of us are ever going to see eye to eye on anything hunting related so I see very little to gain from engaging with you further.
With regards to the hounds, I think people need to keep in mind that these are working animals. They are not pets. There are far worst fates for any animal than a bullet and a quick death. Indeed it is a method many people chose for their horses. I don't see why it is "cruel" to shoot a hound but not a horse?
It is not the method many people chose for their pet dogs but again, hounds are not pets.
Hounds may need to be culled for a number of reasons. Some may show too much interest in chasing livestock, or may go as far as rioting and putting them down is the responsible thing to do.
Some may have a health issue that means they can no longer do their job, or they have become too old. When this happens every effort is made to find hounds suitable retirement homes, but sadly this is not always possible, sometimes due to the hound itself not being suited to retirement, or perhaps there aren't any suitable and knowledgeable homes available.
Needing to destroy hounds where appropriate is part of the reality of hunting, but it does not mean these animals are not cared for and loved.
I realise it may be difficult to understand if you do not work with these animals directly. It's something I have in the past struggled to get my head around. But it is not possible to watch our hunt master interact with his hounds, see how well they look, and how proudly he has paraded them in the previous hunt shows and not think that they are very much cared for.
I can't really say any more on the matter.
