Letter: In defence of pheasants
I COULDN'T agree more with the comments aired by Pat Charman (Letters, Stop this Cruelty) on the subject of shooting animals for so called sport. Unfortunately, living in the countryside we often hear the sound of gunshot and quite often see blood thirsty so-called men in pursuit of pheasants and other animals. Fortunately, some of the animals seek refuge and safety at our sanctuary and we welcome them in.
Last year a beautiful female pheasant came to us with one leg badly broken by a gun pellet and the other also badly injured. It simply beggars belief that people who participate in such disgusting activities can be such a bad aim that they merely maim an animal and leave it to suffer. Fortunately this pheasant was eventually released back into the wild to a 13-acre no-shoot site.
We have had many other pheasants brought to us with countless problems. Many have parasitic problems and diseases due to the intensive farms that they are raised on. It is absolutely no surprise that half of the birds die before the shooting even begins.
Perhaps those who choose to pursue these so called barbaric sports could come and help to mend and pay for the maimed animals that they don't quite shoot outright and leave to suffer.
BETH HEWIS
Hobsic Close
Brinsley Animal Rescue
4 Comments
by poacherturnedgamekeeper, eastwood
Monday, December 14 2009, 9:54PM
“Just demonstrates the ignorance where country pursuits are concerned. If it were not for the shooting syndicates, there would be no pheasants, and quite likely, no green fields, and no conservation as a result. The agenda of the anti country brigade will not end until all forms of country sports are banned. Can't wait for you to take on the anglers. There are far more of them than you my dears. Roll on the next Tory government and an end to the ridiculous anti hunt legislation. Have you not noticed how many more hunt followers there are now? Your days are numbered. No doubt you will soon find someone else to stick you pins in to.”
by N BRYANT, west sussex
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 5:00PM
“Sounds like you are a bunch of softees”
by JW, Nottingham
Monday, December 07 2009, 4:22PM
“My mate down the pub and me agree. Leave the peasants alone. They should follow the example of John Ball, Wat Tyler and Jack Straw and revolt, like they did in 1381. We are sure a lot of white collar workers and many middle classes would also join in this time, considering the present policies of NuLab. Leave us peasants alone”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, December 07 2009, 8:21AM
“This seems to be sadly one of the things that happens in this country.
Which is what would make bringing back fox hunting, and thus a future Tory government such a retrograde step.
I personally like to think I try to buy free range when I do eat meat, but it is simply wrong to shoot and hunt animals for so called "sport."
I entirely agree with all that is said in this letter.”