Much of what Margery Watts (Opinion, February 6) writes regarding cruelties inflicted by humans on animals makes sense but I must correct some points.

When a fox "goes to ground" during hunting, the decision to dig it out is only made at the express wish of the farmer or landowner, as per the Master of Foxhounds Association code of conduct.

Should the farmer or landowner wish for the fox to be dispatched, it is done as quickly as possible, by experienced men using terriers to locate the fox in the earth and then using a handgun to destroy it humanely.

The terrier man has to be a member of the Working Terrier Federation and he fulfils the pest control service provided by hunts.

"Cubbing" or autumn hunting, as it is now more commonly known, takes place at a time of year when the young foxes are about five months old, almost full grown, and totally independent of their mothers.

It is a fallacy whipped up by hunting's opponents to describe the cubs as "defenceless small animals who do no one any harm".

It is at this age that they cause a great deal of harm to the farmer and his stock.

Finally, Ms Watts commented that deer hunting must be banned because she imagines the deer is chased until it drops dead from exhaustion and should be shot by trained marksmen.

In fact, the deer will turn and face hounds and stand "at bay" long before it is exhausted.

It is then dispatched by an experienced marksman at close range. Hounds do not play a part in the actual kill of the deer.

-Mrs Wendy Peckham, Countryside Alliance