Hunting Foxes with Hounds Is a Natural 'Animal Interaction' Report Claims Hunts Are Best Way to Manage 'Appropriate Wild Mammals'

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Byline: Steve Dube Farming Editor

A NEW report claiming that hunting with hounds is a natural way to manage wildlife was presented to a meeting of peers and MPs at the House of Lords last week.

The report is a detailed review of the scientific literature on the issue by Katie Colvile, a veterinary surgeon specialising in equine treatment.

Its main conclusion is that a pack of hounds chasing a fox is following a natural mechanism very similar to wolves chasing their prey.

Hunting itself is therefore a natural mechanism for wildlife management purposes and should be preferred, wherever possible, to other means.

But RSPCA spokeswoman Becky …