I READ with interest Chris Ridley's letter (Your Letters, June 14) about the plight of abandoned greyhounds, since I too am involved in their rescue, but I think, with regard to the comments on fox hunting, we should be looking at the wider issue of animal rights and welfare as a whole and hopefully, anything we can achieve will arouse public interest and support in other areas.

Banning hunting with hounds will be a step up the long ladder and I can see no reason for it to continue. John Holliday, in his interview on May 24, seems to think that because foxes are not a protected species that gives him the right to kill them for pleasure, to disrupt traffic, to trespass on private property and to frighten grazing horses.

Mr Holliday talks about hunting not being a 'class thing' attracting doctors, vets etc. I notice he doesn't mention bricklayers and road sweepers.

The loss of hunt-related jobs while being regrettable is no reason to continue with a 'sport' which is morally and ethically wrong.

Hopefully hounds won't have to be put down, but the fox hound, like the greyhound, is a disposable commodity. When a fox hound's working life is over it is fed to the rest of the pack not sent to a cosy retirement home.

Greyhounds have an even shorter working life and unlike fox hounds do make good pets. They are gentle and forgiving and contrary to popular belief don't need a lot of exercise.

Let us hope that both these issues can be resolved along with others - failed race horses, farm animal welfare, live transport, vivisection.

There is so much to do and we have to take things one step at a time.

Finally to M G Jackson's nonsensical comments on cats (Your Letters, June 14). No, hounds don't play with their prey they simply tear them apart.

JAN MOUNTFORD, Fruitlands, Malvern Wells.