Joys of the hunt

It is reassuring to note that foxhunting is now more popular than it was before the introduction of the ban on using hounds to kill foxes (your report, 27 December).

Obviously, more people are now prepared to enjoy a gallop round the countryside on Boxing Day: some will recognise that drag hunting represents a realistic alternative to traditional hunting; others who continue to hunt live foxes will be reassured by the fact that the fox, once caught, will be dispatched humanely by gunshot, rather than ripped apart by hounds.

JAMES BOYLE, Eastwoodmains Road, Clarkston, Glasgow