SHEILA Brennan's latest emotive outburst on the hunting of foxes (Letters, October 11) was bemusing, to say the least. It takes no account of the fact that the fox itself is a quite discriminating killer.

The various types of foxhounds used have, in fact, been specifically bred for centuries to hunt varied pest quarry species, including the fox for his often-gross misconduct.

Perhaps she could tell us just what methods she would employ to control the predator.

Or would she instead prefer to compensate farmers and others for the loss of their stock, such as lambs, hens, ducks? I think not.

P NEWTON (Full address received).

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