A BARBARIC and illegal activity could be taking place in this area at this time of year as criminals with dogs terrorise and kill young wild animals for fun.

In late summer, as foxes are completing the rearing of their cubs, young hounds together with more experienced companions are taken out in the very early morning or in the evening by hunters to learn the art of hunting foxes as a pack. This unnatural activity has to be taught, because the fox, a member of the same family as domestic dogs, is not a natural prey animal, and dogs do not normally hunt other dogs to death.

An area where a fox family is known to live, often a small wood, is surrounded by people on foot, horseback or in vehicles. Hounds are sent in to scent the foxes out. As the foxes try to flee some of the hunters make a loud noise and drive the foxes back to the hounds. This is called holding up. The growing cubs are no match for the hounds and make easy meat. Those that escape to ground are dug out and killed; sometimes several cubs are discovered in one earth, so whole families can be wiped out. Cubs that survive have learnt the fear necessary to make for a good hunt later in the season. The young hounds have learnt the taste of fox blood. Foxes are born between February and April. Cub hunting can start as early as July, and continues until October.

If you see any activity that resembles the description above, please report it to the police at once (ask for an incident number) and also to the League Against Cruel Sports on 0845 330 8486.

CHRIS DEACON

Plymouth