Fox facts (From Penarth Times)

Fox facts

FOX HUNTERS argue that their barbaric pastime is essential to keep fox numbers down.

But in reality fox populations regulate their numbers naturally.

Left alone, the number of foxes is determined by the availability of food and suitable territory.

Whenever a fox is killed, another will move in to the vacant territory to replace it.

A fox's diet consists of farming pests such as rabbits, rats, mice and road kills - a fact that the fox hunting fraternity prefers to ignore.

A report published in September has concluded that the ban on hunting during the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak had no impact on fox numbers in Britain - another fact the foxhunters prefer to ignore.

Therefore, in the long run, an end to hunting will not lead to an increase in the number of foxes.

Indeed, some hunts even provide artificial breeding dens and even feed foxes to ensure there are plenty of animals to hunt - a fact the foxhunters prefer to hide.

Cllr Rob Curtis, 118 Merthyr Dyfan Road, Barry.