IN response to the letter 'Cruellest Form of Slaughter' - I would ask the writer to vacate their anonymous hiding place and state whether they are expressing true animal compassion or pure hypocrisy?

You cite the wild fox as being a pest but at the same time, question so-called fox loving fish eaters as hypocrites. Are we to understand from your comments, that trawler fishing, as part of the modern day food industry is cruel, whereas fox hunting is wholly acceptable?

I am a fish only eater and indeed a fishmonger's son and therefore consider myself to be a total hypocrite regarding animal cruelty, having given up so called meat eating on compassionate grounds but still consuming fish.

However, I do recognise the overwhelming difference between extremely brave trawler men, who battle against the most severe sea conditions, and the small minority of questionably attired self-appointed pest controllers, who hold an inherent desire to slaughter one of mother nature's most magnificent but unfortunately timed creations.

Some years ago, while on a training run, a colleague and I unfortunately witnessed the Worcestershire Hunt pack chasing and inevitably ripping to pieces a majestic dog fox. A detestable experience and one I will unfortunately never forget.

Also on Exmoor, over a period lasting six or more hours, I witnessed a stag hunt, involving a motley collection of overweight city gents astride their totally distressed mounts, followed by their questionably "heavy type" blood lusting followers, together chasing a proud but totally exhausted animal to its inevitable demise.

Oh well - all in the interests of pest control chaps!

Tony Woodward

Fringe Green

Bromsgrove