JON Burgess (You Say, Saturday, June 28) challenges my claims about hare coursing and suggests I'm misleading readers.
Let me put the record straight. To quote bloodsport supporter, Tim Pinney: "I have never been hare coursing and have no desire to."
However, as regards my using the word "corralled", I was referring to the practice of beaters driving hares so that they're pushed into the area where the dogs are held waiting to be slipped.
As regards hares being "ripped apart" - I note Mr Burgess ignores the word "possibly" in my letter - I accept that this may not be the case if the picker-up manages to reach the hare quickly enough after it's caught to wring its neck.
Personal experience of beagling suggests the hare would not remain in one piece for long if the picker-up did not swiftly interfere.
The essential facts remain. Coursing is a pursuit whereby innocent animals are involuntarily rounded up just to be used to test out the skill of dogs to gratifiy owners and onlookers.
A REECE,
Worcester.
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