Letters: Hare-raising

HARE coursing (your report, 1 April) was a barbaric pastime that was a curse on our countryside until banned by the Labour government.

The inherent cruelty of coursing hares is opposed by the vast majority, indeed no less a Conservative than Margaret Thatcher voted for its abolition prior to the 1970 general election.

The humane alternative of lure coursing thrives, yet David Cameron has pledged that should his "modern" Conservatives win power, he will provide the opportunity in parliament to make live hare coursing legal again. Can I ask your readers to think carefully before helping Cameron to inflict this new style of callous conservatism on our wildlife. Callousness towards harmless and helpless hares is symptomatic of similar attitudes towards other vulnerable elements within society.

MJ HUSKISSON

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