THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220015
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
The Virginia Board of Games and Inland Fisheries is trying to legitimize the cruel and inhumane practice of foxpenning. There will be hearings this month and a decision in April.
Foxpenning is the name given to the trapping and enclosing of wild foxes in so-called ``preserves.'' Here foxhounds are trained to kill foxes who cannot escape the high fences. It is reminiscent of the barbaric training of greyhounds with live rabbits. I only hope the foxhounds will not meet the fate of those gentle racers and be killed when they are too old to kill foxes anymore.
This is not about hunting or sportsfishing. In fact, the foxpenning preserves violate every principle of fair chase which most hunters espouse.
What this is about is a sacred trust we have to be morally responsible for all our mute friends on Earth. So I encourage your readers to lend a helping hand to those who can't help themselves inside those killing walls called foxpenning preserves.
BETTY P. MEREDITH
Virginia Beach, March 13, 1996 by CNB