SIR - Call me sanctimonious if it makes you feel better about yourself, Maggie Hughes, but I at least accept the harsh realities of life that face all inhabitants of this planet.

There's a natural order on this earth and, like it or not, mankind is at the top. I would remind you that Jesus thought it was worth sacrificing a whole herd of swine in order to save one person possessed by a devil. Was He wrong? Are you prepared to criticise His actions?

When are you going to realise that the Hunting Bill is not concerned with animal welfare? Its purpose is not to end the culling of foxes. Its only purpose is to change the methods used.

When hunting is banned the main method of culling is likely to be poison. The poisoned bait will be taken back to the den by the vixen and fed to her cubs. The whole family will die in agony and the next generation of foxes with be jeopardised.

I invite any animal lover out there to explain to me why they think that this is such a good idea because I would really like to know.

P Berwick, Court Orchard, Wotton-under-Edge