BLOOD SPORTS

MARIE ALTZINGER,

MARIE ALTZINGER,

Madam, - In her piece extolling the virtues of the post-Christmas Day hunt (December 24th), Grania Willis tells us that "rather than making a dash for it ... a fox will often refuse to leave the covert, perhaps having over-indulged on the turkey dinner front himself". Is this supposed to be funny? Since when has the Irish Times begun advocating blood "sports" on its features page? Or does nobody take a principled stance any more? - Yours, etc.,

MARIE ALTZINGER,  Sweetmount Drive, Churchtown, Dublin 14.