Fox Hunting Ban Debate - Essay Example

Running Head: THE FOX HUNTING Analysis of the Debate on the Fox Hunting Ban s Analysis of the Debate on the Fox Hunting Ban Recent legislative events regarding banning the fox hunting provoked a wave of reaction and discussion through various media between supporters and opponents of this activity. Both parties try to strengthen their position with arguments. For analysis of pros and cons of imposing the ban on fox hunting in England two articles were chosen. First article, named Fox hunting in England dates back to the late 17th century, although tackling the arguments of the ban supporters, represents fox hunting mainly as an English historical and cultural heritage and does not encourage the ban. Another source, an article titled Fox hunting: Why this Evil should be banned, as can be concluded even by a quick glance at the heading, adopts a strong position against fox hunting and views the recent attempts to ban it as an extremely progressive and humanistic step. Although it can be noted that both articles are similar with regard to the fact that both refer to the historical, economic, social and psychological factors in order to support the statements made, there are several distinctive arguments used as the basis in each of the papers. Fox hunting in England dates back to the late 17th century starts with the historical introduction and the description of the traditional hunt. Then brief list of the major arguments shared by the ban opponents is given: importance of the traditional fox hunting as an "integral part of the rural community", negative potential impact of the ban on the hunt-related jobs, role of hunts in managing the population of the foxes in the region, and, last but not least, the harm foxes cause to the crops, trees, poultry, and animals. The last part of the article deals with the legislative processing of the ban and future forecasts. The author voices an opinion that the century-old tradition will not be fully abandoned as a result. The reference to the BBC News and League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) is made, when pinpointing that the threat of ban did not really alter the business of English hunts, and several cases of illegal operations were reported. After description of the article structure, I want to concentrate on its historical focus while considering it the most distinctive part of the article. Such an approach is characteristic for other supporters of the position "fox hunting is an ancient and valid tradition". The author brings attention of the audience to the fact that fox hunting has developed and spread throughout the country as early as in the late seventeenth century. It has replaced partly deer hunting which was very popular before. The article depicts fox hunting as a sport activity of monarchs and noblemen. The description of the hunt's "hierarchy", traditional outfit and established procedures puts an emphasis on the fact that hunting with hounds for foxes is a long-lived national tradition with its strict rules and beautiful accessories. This approach shifts the attention from the fox, an object of the hunt, and its suffering to the followers and procedures they follow. It is not uncommon for the supporters of the fox hunt. The illustration to the article, a fox hunt colourful painting, portrays energetic hounds and beautiful looking hunters in traditional scarlet, white and black outfit. However, the fox being followed by the hounds and the hunters on the horses is not on the picture. A scared, tired from running animal would bring a dissonance into this merry picture of the prestigious entertainment. On the contrary, the argument of the animals' suffering is widely deployed by the supporters of the complete ban on the fox hunting. The article Fox hunting: Why this Evil should be banned devotes a lot of attention to the issue of fox's suffering as a result of the long tiresome pursuit and painful death. Although the article touches upon many other arguments, its crux is within the topic of cruelty. The author refers to several researches and emphasizes that fox hunting causes severe distress, terror, and pain of the animal. Moreover, his death is not as quick and clean as many may believe looking at the traditional pictures and listening to hunters. The foxes hunted by hounds often die from the inflicted serious injuries, staying alive and suffering for several minutes. And the pursuit is made to be long and exhaustive in order to provide more entertainment for the hunters paying to participate. The article draws upon the values of the democratic society, humanity, and Christianity, as well as other world religions, and calls attention to the fact that such a cruel and bloody activity is not appropriate in the civilized world of the XXI century. The article also suggests that the cruelty of the fox hunting participants, both people and hounds, can be redirected to other objects as well. Citing several recent happenings and psychological researches, it draws a parallel between hounds killing the household animals, and cruelty the hunters demonstrate with regard to other people. What is the underlying cause - asks the author - "Is it that this barbaric sport attracts violent thugs like flies to a lump of shit, or does it simply make ordinarily law-abiding folk go into a frenzy of bloodthirsty yobbishness". One by one, every argument of the fox hunting supporters is analyzed and called into question by means of figures and facts. The job loss issue is very ambiguous, the effect may be even opposite, and does not have a major impact on the rural English economy. Even if it is the case, it is suggested that "booming Britain should provide dole for the small number affected until they are able to find gainful employment in a useful capacity in another sector of the economy". The fox hunting is compared to the child pornography, a wrongdoing activity that can not and should not be justified by economic means. The harm caused by foxes' activities to the farming is not significant, according to the scientific studies conducted, and it does not cause all the effort and funds devoted to the fox hunting. Moreover, the claims that fox hunting facilitates regulation of the fox population have proven to be, at least, equivocal as well. I am more inclined to support the latter position and ban on the fox hunting. Though it may be an old English tradition, it is extremely cruel and its history definitely does not justify the suffering of the animals involved. The desire of hunters for entertaining activities, old-fashioned outfit and fascinating ceremonies may be fulfilled by other means, e.g. drag hunting, which do not involve causing harm to animals. The desire for cruelty, driving, perhaps, some of the participants of fox hunts, should not be satisfied at all. Read More