IN his letter about hare coursing (HAS, April 18), William Scarr states that, originally, food was the main purpose of this barbaric activity. So, what is the purpose now? Sport, I expect.

Well, far too much blood is spilt in the name of sport.

I take part in cycling races, play darts, badminton and race speedway. These activities, as I understand it, are “sports”, as is football, rugby, tennis, etc. But killing wildlife – how is that sport?

Sport is where the participants have a relatively equal chance against each other. What chance does a hare or fox have against a pack of dogs? A pheasant against a shotgun? Not sport as far as I’m concerned.

I long for the day when a superior life-form evolves and begins taking us humans in the name of “sport”.

I wonder what the likes of Mr Scarr would have to say about that?

Nick Calvert, Kirkby Fleetham, Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

CORRESPONDENT L Edwards gives a good and full description of hunting (HAS, April 14), including hare coursing in all its “glory”, which William Scarr (HAS, April 18) says is exaggerated. Not a bit.

Has he never been to the Waterloo Cup and witnessed hares – not all, but quite a few – being caught between two greyhounds and yanked apart?

A hare’s scream is much like that of a human and makes your hair stand on end. It takes no understanding or knowledge to see it is not always the hare’s neck that the dogs have in their mouths – in their excitement the dogs grab whatever bit of the animal they can.

Hare coursing, including the Waterloo Cup, were banned as a cruel sport under the 2004 Hunting Act. Long may it remain so.

M Embling, Crook, Co Durham.