Dear

I am writing to you after witnessing the recent Channel 4 expose of stag hunting. I was horrified to witness the terrible levels of animal abuse inflicted upon deer in the South West and upon the hounds they use to hunt.

It is without a doubt that the three remaining stag hunts are using loopholes within the Hunting Act 2004 to continue their persecution of wildlife in the South West. Stags and hinds are chased for hours on end over difficult terrain for the sole purpose of becoming a trophy for the hunters. There is no proof or evidence to back up their argument of research and conservation and if they claim the culling of a sick animal then why do they force them to endure an agonising chase before cutting up their body and distributing the parts? Surely this is a biosecurity breach and extremely concerning for the welfare of wildlife and people in the South West.

Research published in 1997 by Professor Bateman, who was commissioned by the National Trust to study the effects hunting has on deer, concluded that the mental and physical trauma they suffer is horrific, resulting in the National Trust banning stag hunting on their land. However, hunts are still forcing them to endure hours on end of torture, using two hounds at a time on a relay system to make sure they get an entertaining chase.

I am deeply saddened that in this day and age we are still allowing our wildlife to be treated this way and there is seemingly no protection for the hounds who are forced to hunt them. It is without a doubt that the hunting laws need to change, and trophy hunting needs to stop. As one of your constituents I implore you to take a stand against this cruelty and help protect these animals being subjected to abuse.

Yours Faithfully