I WRITE following the recent letters from Rachel Jay and E Groves of Mangotsfield regarding the barbaric "sport" of hunting with dogs, and I am very surprised that there were no responses from the pro-hunting fraternity – or is it just that, at the moment, they prefer to remain anonymous, as they are safer that way?

I have had many a debate on this subject and I know that most of us common but decent people are totally against "blood sports", this being a term used years ago but is still relevant now, although I do not know where the "sport" bit comes from.

I also know that hunting – especially stag hunting – is still going on and, as already indicated by others, is being ignored by local authorities and the police, especially in the West Country.

The stag has never had any real chance with the hounds but now four-wheel drives, quad bikes and mobile phones are used to assist in these hunts.

What type of people find pleasure in hunting these noble animals and are capable of cutting their throats in front of a baying crowd?

That is, of course, if the poor creature has not been torn apart by the hounds – and despite what is said, this does happen; I have witnessed it. Once the animal is dead, its blood is used to baptise the children watching and the hunt master usually receives the heart as a badge of honour.

There have also been incidents of stags being chased out to sea then dragged back in exhausted, just so the chase can continue. It is also not unusual for a hind to have her calf cut out and fed to the dogs.

We have to make a stand now against all types of hunting. I know politics and corruption causes these issues to be ignored but we have to make our voices heard now as loud as we can. This cannot be allowed to continue and we have to do it now before the ban is lifted.

I have just read a book called Save Our Stags and it is very explicit, graphic and true in every way. It also explains a lot of the politics and corruption that has gone on for years regarding the ban. I know the author very well and, for many years, attended several hunts with him in the hope of peacefully stopping them. The violence that normally ensued was caused by the hunters themselves, despite how it was always reported.

Can I suggest that anyone doubting the cruelty, suffering and barbarism involved should please buy and read it. It will certainly make you think about how cruel man can be to other living creatures. And they call it fun.

Clive Heath, Downend.