THE UK’s protracted debate on how best to control its population of foxes hotted up again this week as opponents of hunting with dogs presented evidence suggesting that shooting is a humane way of controlling the animals.
Stephen Harris, head of environmental sciences at the University of Bristol, surveyed X-rays of injuries to 764 foxes admitted to wildlife hospitals throughout England and Wales. Just six had been wounded with shotgun pellets and two with rifle bullets, which Harris believes suggests that farmers and gamekeepers shoot to kill, leaving few animals to suffer.
Harris presented the study, commissioned by the International…
