SIR – Simon McCullough suggests that rural foxes can simply be trapped and killed by lethal injection and says that this would be clearly more efficient and humane (Worcester News, May 17).

There are actually several problems with the use of live cage traps and snares to control rural foxes.

They are generally suspicious of man-made structures and tend not to enter them.

They are very expensive and inefficient over a large area.

Although by law they should be inspected every 24 hours, in practice this does not always happen.

Finally, they can harm other species such as pets, deer, badgers, otters and livestock.

Although trapping can have a role it is often not suitable as a means of fox control.

Furthermore, lethal injections are not generally used, the use of a shotgun is more or equally humane for a trapped fox.

GILES BRADSHAW
Devon