Columnist's defense of foxhunting not what it appears

I READ WITH disbelief and disgust the article by Emily Esterson “Foxhunting is not what it appears” (Oct/Nov). Anyone who claims to be an animal lover who thinks that it is okay to destroy a wild animal by letting dogs tear it to shreds is in a profound state of denial. Sure, almost any form of death would be better than having a leg broken in a trap then languishing until the trapper turns up to club the animal to death. And almost any form of death would also be preferable to being torn apart by dogs.
    I am really surprised that you had this article in your paper which claims to be for “animal lovers.” A true animal lover would never subject any wild animal to a savage death by chasing and then allowing dogs to tear it apart. Ms. Esterson had the gall to make it seem like the coyotes somehow enjoy this scenario.
    I think that both she and your editors should take a long hard look at the mentality behind that article and if you really want to promote such thinking.

Jan Swan
North Valley   

FOX HUNTING MAY BE fun for the riders and great exercise for the horses, but have you no concern for your hounds that can and do get injured (sometimes seriously) during these hunts? Coyotes are not always faster than hounds, especially if they have lameness from prior wounds. It is not a pretty sight when the hounds catch the coyote. Anyone who revels in the sight of a coyote being mauled by a pack of dogs may as well be watching a dog fight, as there are times the dogs actually begin fighting with one another during or after mutilating the coyote.
    The excuse that killing a coyote is protecting a calf or “Rover and Fluffy” is not a valid one. It’s one thing to eliminate a known offender, but the indiscriminate nature of foxhunting is not “protecting” anyone’s animals. It’s important to keep in mind there are dogs and cats that are responsible for plenty of damage to people, their animals, and to wildlife as well.
    Coyotes and all predators have a purpose. As far as helping ranchers and farmers, coyotes can keep the rabbit population under control, not to mention gophers, mice, and other rodents. This year was a bumper crop for grasshoppers, which coyotes feast on like they are a delicacy. Farmers and ranchers should be thanking them for that.
    The author states that “The Arizona Fish and Wildlife department has actually requested that the Grand Canyon Hounds hunt an area where the coyotes are devastating the Pronghorn Antelope.” I contacted the Arizona Game and Fish Department to inquire about this, and was told, “Arizona Game and Fish Department has not requested that any foxhound hunting organization attempt to remove coyotes to lessen predator pressure.”
    The author states that “Foxhunting is preferable for most of us to alternatives like trapping.” Traps should be a huge concern when you let your hounds race around in open lands.
    Take your horses out for a trail ride if you are tired of riding in an arena. Let your hounds run and play in an arena— it’s a much safer environment than that to which they are exposed while “foxhunting.”
   
Judy K. Paulsen
Corrales