I AM WRITING in response to the letter entitled “Don’t be fooled” (The Argus, January 3).

Sue Baumgardt is correct in her proclamation that it is a myth fox hunts are drag hunting, they are really trail hunting.

She is also right in commenting that the police are doing nothing about it and this is why the League Against Cruel Sports is having to spearhead private prosecutions against illegal hunters.

A drag hunt is similar in nature to a fast, cross country ride and takes place over a predetermined course or line and is designed for fast rides over designated jumps and obstacles.

Trail hunting is a modern concept.

It was invented in 2004 by the hunting fraternity as a response to the Hunting Act.

Trail hunting mimics traditional hunting by following a scent trail, typically using fox urine, laid in areas where foxes are likely to be.

So, when the hounds end up following a live animal scent the hunt can claim that they did not know.

Too many allegations of illegal hunting have not been properly investigated and too many illegal hunters have got away with it unpunished, which means that the Hunting Act has a serious enforcement problem.

The league has proposed seven amendments to the law to solve this and ensure that animals are protected in the way the Act was intended.

One of these is that a “reckless" provision should be inserted to stop hunters using the “false” alibi of trail hunting.

Please support the league in its campaign for the law against hunting to be made stronger, easier to enforce and with increased sentencing.

David Hammond, North Court, Hassocks