sorry to bring the topic back up but look what i found.
Foxes 'Suffer More Under Hunt Ban'
New academic research has proven that the ban on hunting, and the subsequent rise in foxes being shot, has resulted in an increase in the suffering of the animals
By Holly Kirkwood
Monday, May 3 2005
Work done by researchers commissioned by the Middle Way Group has confirmed suspicions that shooting causes more harm to foxes than hunting with dogs, as many are injured and left to die over long periods of time.
The study, which is printed in Animal Welfare, the journal of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, has shown that up to half of all foxes which are shot are wounded and not killed.
The MWG commissioned the study in 2002 and it has just been thoroughly peer reviewed. It contradicts the pre-ban claims of some animal rights groups that shooting was more humane than hunting a fox using dogs.
Lembit Öpik, co-founder of the group, said: 'The research proves conclusively that the pro-ban groups were plain wrong. In many cases guns don't kill the fix outright, leading to large numbers of wounded animals.
'Many end up dying over hours, days or even weeks. We've long suspected that shooting does not reduce suffering. After all, with dogs it's all or nothing.'
Lady Golding who is co-chairman of the group, added: 'The next Government must look again at the Hunting Act and replace it with genuine animal welfare measures.'
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