THIS week readers took the time to call 'trail' hunting 'cruel and barbaric' - as it looks as though it's set for an indefinite ban in the Lake District National Park.
Among those welcoming the move are former Carlisle MP Eric Martlew, who for years was a leading campaigner against what he said was a 'cruel' tradition that should have no place in any modern society.
The Lake District trail hunting ban follows a landmark court case last year when a former director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association was convicted of encouraging others to commit an offence under the Hunting Act 2004.
"I’d say this is the end of hunting – certainly in the Lake District,” said Mr Martlew, pointing out that trail hunting is now prohibited not only by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) but also by the National Trust, and Forestry Commission.
A spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports charity said the LDNPA decision felt like a "milestone moment".
Chris Luffingham, director of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “We welcome this move to ban trail hunting at Lake District National Park and look forward to it being rigorously enforced by the authority.” Trail hunting is now banned or suspended across three million acres of land across England and Wales."
Our readers were much of a similar opinion, with many saying that they 'hope' this would be the case to an outworn practice.
Yve Hansen wrote on social media: "I hope so too, cruel, barbaric and totally unnecessary."
Judith Jones said: "Good. Barbaric and outdated. No justification for fox hunting or indeed any hunting. Our wildlife is in serious decline."
Similarly, Judith Yeates said: "Congratulations to all involved- well done Eric for ridding this beautiful area of such a blatant, cruel and ugly activity."
Paul Strechy also said: "They'll have to get girlfriends now or go back to pulling the legs off spiders, just move with the times and watch football instead of trying to intimidate furry animals."
CJ Burton wrote: "Cruelty justified by necessity of 'keeping foxes down', or even worse, in the name of 'sport'.
"The sooner it's history, the better. If you must cull foxes, there's far less cruel ways of doing it."
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