I WAS surprised to see a reputable newspaper like the Lancashire Evening Telegraph parade its ignorance in your Opinion column (LET, January 16), regarding the bill to ban hunting.

This bill would not only affect fox hunting by hound packs. Vermin control by terriers would be banned. The excellent work of gun dogs in retrieving injured game would be deemed illegal and should the average pet dog inadvertently kill a squirrel, the owner could be liable for prosecution

This ridiculous bill threatens to criminalise the valuable work of gamekeepers, mink hunters and ratting terriermen, yet completely ignores the fact that much more wildlife falls prey on a daily basis with no closed season, to pet cats.

I would like to point out that foxes and mink also observe no closed season and must draw attention to the depredations of foxes endured by hard pressed sheep farmers who can ill afford to lose lambs. I have never taken up hunting, but if this ridiculous bill becomes law then a-hunting I shall go.

JANET KIRKHAM, Butterworth Brow, Brinscall, Chorley.