As an outsider who has now lived in Britain for over a year and a half, one of the things that have mystified me the most is that fox hunting is actually a topic that is discussed during election times. Fox hunting? Seriously? The current prime-minister, Theresa May, has stated that she wants a vote on the current ban on fox hunting, and people have spoken out strongly in agreement or disagreement. It really made me wonder why this topic is even important at all. The answers to these questions are in Foxes Unearthed, a beautiful study by Lucy Jones, in which she enlightens us on so many aspects of the relationship between British people and foxes.
Fox hunting has existed along other forms of hunting for hundreds of years. There is, however, a strong difference with some other animals, such as the beaver, that British people used to hunt for. Whereas most were killed for either their fur or their meat, foxes were killed usually for neither. Fox fur has hardly been seen in Britain, and foxes are supposedly disgusting to eat. Fox hunting has always been mostly about the chase, the supposed thrill of going out with the horses, the fox hounds and your fellow hunters, or about a genuine hate for the animal, particularly from farmers who fear for their livestock. This hunting for fun is what I, as an outsider, never really understood. Nobody hunts like this in the Netherlands, and Lucy Jones states that Britain is unique in this aspect of hunting.
Why is Britain so different in this aspect? Although Jones does not answer all the questions that I have, as she focuses purely on Britain and not on other country’s attitudes towards foxes, she sets out on a bold description of all the reasons why British people either love or hate foxes, and either love the hunt or hate the hunt. She talks to all the parties involved. Scientists who have studied the behaviour of foxes, farmers who fear for their lifestock, hunters who genuinely think that what they’re doing is the right thing, hunt saboteurs who are convinced that foxes are still being killed every weekend across the country, they all get their say on the matter. It is truly marvellous to read, and although I am strongly opposed to fox hunting as it used to be in Britain and the book did not change my mind, it made me more aware of other people’s opinions and more importantly why they would have these opinions. Foxes unearthed really is the kind of book that makes you think for a moment, and really enlightens you on different viewpoint on the same topic.
For me, the debate on fox hunting reflects the general situation in Britain. Without going too deep into politics, it has to be said that the majority of British people are in favour of the ban on fox hunting, supposedly around 77%. Unfortunately for them, the remaining 23% makes up a huge amount of the British Parliament. This is why a topic that is basically a non-issue with the majority of the people is still seen as a major topic in the Parliament, and probably always will be. As is the case with many aspects of British life, the government is slightly out of touch with reality.
Still, even within the 77% in favour of the ban, there is a lot of variation in the way people feel about foxes. Although many people love to see them and even feed them in their garden, there are also lots of people who are fearful of foxes, especially around their children, and who fear that there will be too many of them. Lucy Jones provides answers on these topics as well, and I think many people will feel relieved after reading her account.
For me, Foxes Unearthed is as much about foxes as it is about the British people and their sometimes strange relation to nature. Here, you can wear a scarf with foxes, but still hate them. This is an aspect of British culture that I will probably never understand, but Lucy Jones has certainly helped to unfold some of the mysteries. A must-read.
Title: Foxes Unearthed
Author: Lucy Jones
ISBN: 9781783963041
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