Animal cruelty and legalised abuse.

international | animal rights | opinion/analysis Monday December 01, 2008 23:13 by Bernie Wright - Association of Hunt Saboteurs

Why do Hunters hunt?

The mystery of why some people choose to be blatently cruel instead of engaging in some positive activity remains somewhat unsolved. We do know however, that animal cruelty in childhood is often associated with other signs of poor control over aggressive impulses and with parental deprivation. More importantly we are also aware that cruelty to animals is often the precursor to cruelty to other humans. Those who delight in the suffering and destruction of gentle creatures will obviously not be gentle and kind towards their own species. Whether legal or illegal, cruelty is cruelty.

'purely for entertainment'

Hunting is cruel and unnecessary and has no place in a modern Ireland. Being caught and torn apart by a pack of dogs is undoubtedly cruel. Hunted animals will often suffer a long and agonising death. Further suffering is caused by the fact that when the animal is killed it will be extremely tired and exhausted from the preceding chase. This chase can sometimes last for hours and cover many miles.
The excuse of pest control is a myth as a published scientific study has shown that fox populations remained the same even after hunting had been banned for a year due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak(in the Uk). Hunting does not contribute to pest control or population management, it is done purely for entertainment. Where control of species is necessary there are better, more efficient and more humane alternatives.

So why in 2008 are people still dressing up and forming killing packs to cause suffering to fox cubs, hares, farmed stags and other wild animals.? Perhaps a shift in perspective will help eradicate cruel persuits?

….A recognition that animals become the victims of violence for many of the same reasons, and at the hands of the same perpetrators as the human victims of such abuse.

Bernie Wright.
Association of Hunt Saboteurs/
PO Box 4734
Dublin.1

087 2651720