I am surprised that Anne Porter (Letters, 7 October 2004) describes the three very well-reasoned anti-hunt letters (Journal, 30 September 2004) as hysterical. I share her concern about the foxes facing a slow painful death - this is also what happens when dogs are sent down foxholes to attack them. Odd how the pro-hunt people never seem to worry about that.

I'm sure many people realise that foxes are not cute, cuddly animals; I've seen the aftermath of a visit by foxes to a chicken coop more than once and I've actually seen them attacking my chickens just a few feet away from me but as I used to eat chicken myself, I feel I am in no position to pass judgement - particularly as some of those poor birds I ate may well have suffered slow painful deaths in the slaughterhouse preceded by a life of suffering.

Mrs Sally Mander, South Littleton, Evesham.