PICTURED: The perils of a slug trap?

[pdblake]

Ok, I give up, go give it a cuddle if you must

I guess there's some things people just can't agree on

[Paul Wagland]

Remember that the next time you squash a slug. The only difference is scale

No difference in intelligence then? Is it perfectly ok to kill anything that gets on your nerves d'you think? How about humans? Just a question of scale after all!

[FionaH]

I think hes a lost cause Going to send all my slugs round there for R and R

[pdblake]

No difference in intelligence then? Is it perfectly ok to kill anything that gets on your nerves d'you think?

Not just because it gets on your nerves no. But because it's a nuisance, causes damage or kills livestock. Yes, I advocate killing them when caught, so long as it's quick and humane.

I'm not by nature a cruel person but I was brought up by my grandad who was a gamekeeper. I see past the fluffy cuddly stuff. It's not murder, nor is it fun or a sport either. I've seen the damage a single fox can do in a pen containing a couple of hundred pheasant chicks. They do the same to chickens and small pets.

They can wipe out whole livelihoods in one attack.

But still, it's nice to sit in an urban garden or allotments passing judgement when they annoy you by knocking over a bin or digging up a few plants. You can always pick up the bin and replant can't you?

How about humans? Just a question of scale after all!

And please, no melodramatics.

[Sweepster]

I've seen the damage a single fox can do in a pen containing a couple of hundred pheasant chicks. They do the same to chickens and small pets.

And, by God, that jar will be no use for ANYTHING after that fox has done with it...

[Two_Sheds]

It's not murder, nor is it fun or a sport either. I've seen the damage a single fox can do in a pen containing a couple of hundred pheasant chicks.

But, the fox is British native wildlife. Pheasant chicks, grown simply to be shot for fun, are not.

[pdblake]

But, the fox is British native wildlife. Pheasant chicks, grown simply to be shot for fun, are not.

So that makes your chickens fair game then? You'd just keep getting more to feed the local fox?

[SarzWix]

Order... ORDER!!!!

[Paul Wagland]

I'm really not into the fluffy cuddly stuff either. I think it's weird that people who go all gooey over a baby lamb will still eat one every Sunday. That said, if I don't have to kill something then I don't kill it. And guess what? As a human I'm usually smart enough to think of another solution.

I aim to be pragmatic. I am a vegetarian but I keep my own chickens, have lost some to a fox, but still wouldn't see the fox harmed by choice. It was my own stupid fault for not securing the run properly, not the fox's for needing to feed herself and/or cubs.

In my opinion, the idea that 'anything which obstructs man's progress can and should be humanely destroyed' belongs in the 1950s. Look at the damage that era did to our ecosystems.

How hard is it to build a fox-proof fence and charge a little more for eggs?!

[pdblake]

I'm really not into the fluffy cuddly stuff either. I think it's weird that people who go all gooey over a baby lamb will still eat one every Sunday. That said, if I don't have to kill something then I don't kill it. And guess what? As a human I'm usually smart enough to think of another solution.

I aim to be pragmatic. I am a vegetarian but I keep my own chickens, have lost some to a fox, but still wouldn't see the fox harmed by choice. It was my own stupid fault for not securing the run properly, not the fox's for needing to feed herself and/or cubs.

In my opinion, the idea that 'anything which obstructs man's progress can and should be humanely destroyed' belongs in the 1950s. Look at the damage that era did to our ecosystems.

How hard is it to build a fox-proof fence and charge a little more for eggs?!

Ok, I'm beat.

Your logic isn't entirely infallible. There will always be a flaw in the defenses somewhere, if not for a fox then for something else, but I accept that there is not always a need to kill them.

There, that is the nearest you'll get to me agreeing

[FionaH]

Is this turning into the should foxhunting be reinstated debate? If so things could get fun

It is interesting how people like myself, who see foxes as vermin are still swayed by the cute factor of the little fella in the pic. Rank hypocrisy on my part as I can and do support the local hunt. Not suggesting at all that anything in the way should be destroyed etc.....but a sensible approach to culling is in my opinion essential.

Waiting with tin hat on for the flak now

[SarzWix]

Is this turning into the should foxhunting be reinstated debate?

No, it isn't!! Or you'll get your bottom smacked, young lady

[Paul Wagland]

There, that is the nearest you'll get to me agreeing

Hey, when you're as opinionated as I am you takes whatever you can get

I guess insurance has to be the last line of defence against fox attacks, at least for farmers. I wasn't going to claim for my three birds though - Beaky and Leggy were 50p each and Delicious was free...

[Redpepper]

Ugg!
What have I done ?? LOL!

Anyways, I think yes, (but only where there is a genuine and desperate need) their numbers should be reduced as humanely as possible.

[pdblake]

Is this turning into the should foxhunting be reinstated debate? If so things could get fun

It is interesting how people like myself, who see foxes as vermin are still swayed by the cute factor of the little fella in the pic. Rank hypocrisy on my part as I can and do support the local hunt. Not suggesting at all that anything in the way should be destroyed etc.....but a sensible approach to culling is in my opinion essential.

Waiting with tin hat on for the flak now

Oddly enough I'm against fox hunting. I don't mind killing something outright if neccessary, but not chasing it around beforehand. My grandad used to hate the local hunt with a passion

Then again, I'm not for banning things either and you won;t see me waving any placards. If you like it, you go ahead and do it