THIS summer could have been the first of many in which the cruel and unnecessary sport of hunting with dogs was nothing but an unpleasant memory.

But the Government's failure to ban hunting means this barbaric form of entertainment can now continue unchecked until at least 2004 -- trampling underfoot the desire of the majority of the public who want to see this cruelty banned and sealing the fate of thousands of animals.

As many people begin their summer holidays -- hunts across the country will be using the cover of darkness to begin another season of cruelty. Families of foxes will be killed needlessly as inexperienced hounds are trained in what is to them the unnatural instinct of hunting foxes.

Packs of young hounds will be taken to a small wood or 'covert' where it is known fox cubs, often just a few months old, reside with their mother. Foot followers and riders will surround the area to force any escaping cubs back into the woods to certain death at the jaws of the hounds.

The indefensible sport of stag hunting, relished by its followers for providing chases of up to eight hours, also begins again in August.

Dogs bred for stamina, but not speed, provide a days entertainment for those who enjoy pursuing this country's largest native land mammal and seeing it savaged.

Even those stags lucky enough to escape may die from myopathy -- kidney failure brought on from the terror of being hunted for sport.

In this way the cycle of violence against the countryside will continue, and the sports loved by those who enjoy inflicting needless suffering on animals will be assured for another year.

Those people who want an end to this horror should write to their MPs and to Downing Street with this one clear simple message: 'Just ban it -- and ban it now'. This is a promise that the Government must keep.

John Cooper,

Chairman

League Against Cruel Sports