IN reply to the gentleman who wrote the letter (February 26) about the difference between the death of a sheep and a fox.

As the owner of the sheep killed in the attack I can't help but take your response a little personally.

I'm not going to debate the ethics of fox hunting, but disagree with your view of their similarities.

If your dog or pet rabbit had been killed by these predatory dogs your view may well have been different.

My hope in getting the original incident published was to try to reiterate the importance of dog owners keeping their animals under control around livestock, especially at lambing time.

Often owners will not appreciate that their dog may actually be worrying livestock even if they are not chasing or attacking them.

You questioned whether a fox has the same right to live as a sheep? Yes, it does, but when my business is being affected by a predator, wild or not, I, like most farmers, will take action.

Andy Hotchkiss

Bretforton