SPORT AND CRUELTY
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR:] S1a,-7.;Yonr Correspondent, Sir Frederick. Des Voeux,,says that the ethics of sport are diffidult to; discuss. No doubt, those who defend the infliction of suire'rink animals for the purpose of amusement may find theinselves in a difficulty ; but those of us who do not so amuse• ourselves fmd no difficulty in regarding the infliction• of severe suffering on any 'animal, not for its -ownindividual benefit, as an indefinite moral net.
We regard the right td'kill animals as involving the duty" of taking their lives with as little accompanying pain as possible. This is a quite a simple ethical principle which everyone can understand. The present- law allows torture to be inflicted on wild animals which it forbids in the case of lame ones. This is a 'Strange- and unreasonable distinction ; for a :wild Stag possesses the same capacity for suffering as a tame one.
Some of us regard cruel sports as not only being wrong from the point of view of the animal, but also because we believe that for anyone to take pleasure in what involves the prolonged suffering of an animal is degrading to the character of man.— I am, Sir, &c., The Ford, Chobharn.
STEPIIEN COLERIDGE.
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