She was a very small and young pup and there were a lot of excited hounds (whole pack) in a confined space. I couldn't even get to the door of my house.

They are excitable, my pups get overawed when they go to meets, but the Hounds are very gentle, in fact often afraid of small bouncey Borders.

I think that statement is misleading.

This from Durham police:

"Vermin" is a term not defined in law but may include destructive species that cause damage to field crops or property.

I don't think Vermin is a Taxonomic classification either.

Nothing against hounds. Often used to pick up stray ones after the hunt had gone home. Recently visited a hunt kennels as well.

Its what the species is classified as in the UK as far as the species is concerned. Vermin can be killed all year round, the Red Fox is one of the species listed.

I know you havent, I can understand it could be a bit unnerving for anyone.

It might be commonly regarded as such, it might be an un-protected species but it appears not to be classed as vermin in the eyes of the law.

That might seem a subtle difference but it is an important one.

It is in your opinion, which I respect entirely, but when somebody say Rat, Grey Squirrel, Crow, Magpie, Jay etc... to me, I say Vermin!

I guess we have a different way of thinking!

Luckily the red foxes keep the vermin population on my land in order

Shame about the pet Guinea pigs and chickens though.....

We all have different thoughts, its what makes the world go round.

I agree WDO. It's all about balance. When man starts interfering ... that's when things go belly up. Foxes are indeed an excellent form of control for small rodents such as mice and rats. Unfortunately they do eat earth worms on the negative side, but on the positive side they love snails and slugs.

If man as a species were wiped off the face of the earth this second, I cannot help but think the planet would do so much better without us. No more greenhouse gases ... and the balance of nature would return to normal without interference from or influence of man.