Thanx for the info. The more I read about the proposal the more disgusted I am and the more sick I'm feeling about it.

If any visits to schools with hounds have been made, I wonder if the huntsmen have proved that they have the extra liability insurance that so many local authorities insist upon. Most require insurance for up to £2 million worth of damage but there are a few who insist upon £5 million. it's not particularly expensive but the dogs have to be socialised and trained with children at least for the dogs to benefit.

I've finished today sending e-mails to all of the schools in England and Wales. A few bounced back but no doubt staff at a school where the email hasn't arrived for some reason will know other teaching staff in other schools who do receive it.

I have pointed out all of the bad points. I don't see any good points at all. I know my Son's school won't have anything to do with this garbage so that's some comfort at least.

Something I did notice in the report that I don't understand though - it states that the huntsmen need volunteers to walk, clean out etc the dogs and want children who visit to get stuck in. Are they going to try to get children to volunteer regularly to clean up after their dogs? How is a school visit to their kennels with kids between 4-11 maybe going to inspire adults or those old enough to volunteer to spend time their and work for them for free?

I have made it clear to the schools that hunting is a bloodsport and should they require dogs to visit, or if they want o adopt dogs and have pictures of them, there are plenty of dogs in rescues who need "adopting" and visits can be done my our dogs - trained, fully insured etc (and all the other hoops we had to jump through to be able to take dogs into schools).

I may or may not get responses from the schools but I would like to think they've at least taken the time to read what I've written.

If anyone hears of anything else that may be passed onto schools, please let me know.

Laura xx

Hampshire County Council need 10 million pounds insurance.