IT is sad when a mother of three children can explain the difference between a pheasant and a partridge and a rabbit and a hare, but can't explain why a fox has killed their pet ducks. (Letters, December 1).

Like all predators, a fox will kill any form of food to survive and as much as possible to store for another day, like a larder.

When has anyone ever heard of a farmer shooting just enough game for his daily intake? They will bag as many as possible to take home for the larder. So it is not foxes that are barbaric, it is the pursuers.

EA Carter,

Marston Crescent,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 08:39 Wednesday, December 08, 2004