IN the Carmarthen Journal (January 7) a lot of coverage was given to hunting, with three full pages devoted to recent hunts and a considerable number of quotes from someone who wasn't even there. Simon Hart, the Conservative parliamentary candidate and chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, the organisation that is working to repeal the 2004 Hunting Act, was quoted as saying that "to the outside world it looks and sounds like the original hunting". What he fails to say is that the end result is, of course, allowing a pack of dogs to pursue foxes, deer, stags and hares and tear them apart for fun.

Unlike most of the people who gathered to watch this "glorious tradition", I continued to follow the Carmarthenshire Hunt, which had many guest riders from other hunts to make up the numbers. When the hunt reached open fields north of Trevaughan, I filmed a terrified fox running for its life, just two fields away from the dogs. The fox was in no doubt as to the real reason they were there. Shortly after this, I heard what can only be described as an animal screaming in pain, coming from a dense wood where the dogs had entered. I do hope it wasn't the person who allegedly had lain the drag that let out the screams.

Simon Hart makes no mention in the description of hunting before the Hunting Act of the blocking up of badger setts (now illegal) or of the terriers sent underground to dispatch the fox, should it manage to hide there, and the agony suffered by both creatures.

The article talks about "people supporting the underdog". With 30 riders, 30 dogs, four terriers and the "rent-a-hacks" all chasing one fox, I wonder who is the underdog in this case.

I just wonder if this really is what Simon Hart wishes to see made legal again. Surely we (civilisation) have moved on from enjoying this cruelty as fun?

David Petersen

St Clears