ESSAYS :: FOX HUNTING

"This most gross of all 'Bloodsports' has been artificially kept alive for too long. It is like a monster on a life-support machine, with its rank breath, inhaling, and exhaling erratically, its vile stench leaving its impression on the rest of us, who would call ourselves 'civilised'. This 'Tradition', this scourge of 'Modern Britain', this our 'Family Monster', must DIE! It's time to pull the plug."

Let's get one thing straight, FOXES ARE NOT VERMIN! The only real vermin here are the assholes who hunt them, and they do so under the pretence that they are participating in a bonafide sport, yet there is nothing sporting about foxhunting. Apart from all the subsequent problems and danger to any man, woman or child who happen to live anywhere near where the 'Hunt Meetings' are held. Try reasoning with a large pack of ravenous, bloodthirsty, muscle-bound hounds in total kill-mode and a Troupe of 30 - 50 'Hoorah-Fucking Henrys' rampaging, full pelt, through your private property. They don't give a shit, because they are the landowners who own the freehold on most properties. They are the Magistrates, or friends of, they are above the Law...or so they think. It is morally and totally reprehensible, and COWARDLY!!! Done by a few who believe they have an inaliable right to do as they will, and supported by their masochistic serfs who are content with the 'feudalistic' status-quo.

Most people who don't agree with foxhunting still think of the fox as a pest, and therefore creature that needs to be culled, albeit 'humanely'. Why is this most beautiful and noble creature thought of in this way by most people? There is very little real information out there on 'Old Reynard' yet through subtle (and not so subtle) image manipulation, the fox is seen as 'cunning', 'devious' and 'anti-social'. Are these not the traits of humankind?! Let's dispel this myth once and for all. Nature is perfect so therefore all animals are, by their own nature, perfectly suited to their own enviroment. Left to their own devices, animals do not abuse their habitat, everything as a result of their actions and lifestyle, balances out. Only with the unnatural introduction of an animal into another enviroment, do we see an upset of natural balance and evolution, and in these cases, humankind is the influencing hand here. Foxes, in particular, are highly intelligent and very sociable. Like dolphins, they are playful, inquisitive and have an incredible sense of humour. And like dolphins, they possess a healing capability and understanding of the human condition, a quality which most humans do not seem to possess. Foxes are very soulful creatures. I was not surprised to read in Eric Ashbys' truly wonderful book 'My Life With Foxes' (a must!) how severely depressed individuals drew special focus and attention from the foxes in his animal sanctuary, more so than the regular visitors. After spending time with the foxes, these individuals' behaviour and general mood was totally changed in a positive way. How many psychiatrists and doctors can lay claim to such true powers of healing? Besides which, foxes don't charge.

As for the argument that the fox population must be kept down and controlled, there is no evidence to show any abnormal increase in fox numbers to the point where it would be epidemic, and therefore upsetting to the local balace of nature, it is humans who are woefully guilty of that. Fox numbers only increase in any given area if the local food supply can support that increase. Otherwise they spread out to pastures new. They're not a plague of fucking locusts! Common sense or what!

So, why have foxes got such a bad rap? They're certainly not anti-social in any manner or form. They don't rape, mug, lie or cheat; humans do. Yet foxes are blamed for hunting and killing in order to eat, what the hell are they expected to do, go to their local fucking supermarket!!! Who the hell are we to judge them anyway?!!!

Let's wise-up here, foxhunting is the diseased manifestation of the class-ridden system that still permeates throughout the British country-side, incorporating all the cringing aspects of a social get-together between master and servant. This 'Tradition' is kept alive by the very people who would have us 'Keep the Pound', 'Keep us out of Europe' and 'Keep us in the Dark Ages.'

"IGNORANCE IS STRENTGH!"



I named my fox 'Alexander', after that famous Greek. My family said to me, "You can't give the fox a mans' name, she's a vixen! "My reply was "Don't bother me with such minor details..."

Alexander had been found, along with a sibling, next to her dead mother in a local wood. The mother had been caught in a trap, fatally wounding her. Some kindly fellow found the orphaned cubs, and looked after them. Through a local newspaper he endeavoured to find homes for these two little unfortunates.

When I first saw Alexander she was like an auburn-red powder puff ball, with gnashing teeth and big brown eyes, you could literally fit her on the palm of your hand. I fell in love. And so began a close and special relationship. She quickly tamed to me, but remained 'wild' with everyone else. A very loyal and loving creature.



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