THE UK鈥檚 protracted debate on how best to control its population of foxes hotted up again this week as opponents of hunting with dogs presented evidence suggesting that shooting is a humane way of controlling the animals.
Stephen Harris, head of environmental sciences at the University of Bristol, surveyed X-rays of injuries to 764 foxes admitted to wildlife hospitals throughout England and Wales. Just six had been wounded with shotgun pellets and two with rifle bullets, which Harris believes suggests that farmers and gamekeepers shoot to kill, leaving few animals to suffer.
Harris presented the study, commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, to a fringe meeting of the ruling Labour party鈥檚 annual conference this week. His work counters research unveiled in June by the Middle Way Group, an alliance of MPs and peers who support hunting. The research, in which sharpshooters attempted to 鈥渒ill鈥� life-size paper images of foxes that fleetingly appeared in their view, suggested that half of all shot foxes would be wounded rather than killed.
Advertisement
With pressure rising within the Labour party for a total ban on hunting with dogs, ministers last month signalled their intention to introduce legislation outlawing the practice when Parliament reconvenes on 26 November.
Harris鈥檚 study also revealed that the biggest threat to foxes comes from people firing at them for fun with air pistols. Twelve animals in the survey were injured in this way, suggesting that the risk of injury to foxes from fun-seeking amateurs is greater than that from professionals seeking to limit damage to livestock.