It is a grotesque contradiction
THOUGH better training for workers dealing with animals is usually welcome, the government-approved new element of an NVQ in 'animal care' that is 'relevant to working in hunt kennels' seems a grotesque and hypocritical contradiction in terms.
Hunt kennels are centres at which packs of dogs are trained to terrorise and kill defenceless wild animals for the amusement of their followers. It's an open secret that many hunts continue to do this by shamelessly exploiting the weaknesses, loopholes and lax enforcement of the Hunting Act. Then there are the pets and livestock regularly chased, mauled or killed by out-of-control hunt hounds,
Hunt kennels habitually and ruthlessly dispose of the hounds they so purport to 'love' when they are deemed too old to hunt (at about half their natural life span).
Protect Our Wild Animals – www.powa.org.uk – using hunter-provided data, calculates that hunts probably 'cull' over 9,000 hounds annually. Indeed, if the Act has reduced the number of wild animals they're able to slaughter for fun, the largest victim group of hunts could well now be their own dogs.
No amount of NVQ certificates will paper over the inherent cruelty of hunts and hunters. We need the Act to be strengthened.
Alan Kirby
Protect Our Wild Animals
4 Comments
by GilesBradshaw
Wednesday, October 05 2011, 1:49PM
“People are slightly missing the point here. Trail and drag hunting are completely legal and indeed LACS have gone on record as stating they 'absolutely' support these forms of hunting. So why not have courses that back them up and help ensure that hunt packs continue to thrive.”
by JKendall2010
Tuesday, October 04 2011, 5:11PM
“If this is allowed what other illegal activities can we expect to see as part of this course? An NVQ in mugging perhaps or a helpful exercise comparing the merits of a variety of deadly weapons?
The NVQ should not be used as a disguise for training up the next generation of animal abusers.
This is just another attempt by the hunting community to gain acceptance for their repulsive obsession.
It will never be acceptable for humans to torture and kill animals for their own perverse amusement.”
by mhayworth
Monday, October 03 2011, 8:07PM
“Yes, don't worry about Maths and Sciences - even with massive unemployment and what they claim is a skill shortage in the UK, they will continue to import those skills while they train your children to abuse animals in the name of sport - all to support the perversion of a few Neanderthals led by Ms. Spellman and her gang of thugs.”
by GLWoollard
Monday, October 03 2011, 7:52PM
“Well said, Mr Kirby: these people need to be exposed for what they are!
The so-called 'sport' of fox hunting - chasing wild animals to their deaths for the amusement of humans - was banned with support from all parties by the Hunting Act 2004. It should stay banned - along with hare coursing and stag hunting. Those who are hoping for repeal of the Act are themselves repellent. We need to go forward not backward.”