LEAVING to one side all jokes about my family name suggesting a vested interest in the opposition of fox hunting, I am compelled to react against the apology for this pursuit offered by reader Ken Hawkins (The Sentinel, June 11).

Foxhunting is utterly and disgracefully disrespectful of these other creatures with which we share this planet. It is gratuitous and cruel.

Do you notice the pro-hunt lobby always makes the claim 'very few foxes are killed by the hunt' and that it is the 'best way to keep fox numbers down'?

There is something dubious about anyone who finds gratification in spilling blood.

W TERRY FOX

Kidsgrove