The 'sports' that threaten animals

For most people, 'sport' refers to anything from football to cricket, or even bobsleighing for the more adventurous among you; it certainly doesn't refer to harming animals or causing them unnecessary panic and pain. Unfortunately these 'sports' exist in pockets of society, and although many are now illegal they are at times still carried out across the country. Here is a look at the worst sports, as well as the damage they are doing to the environment and what you can do to help save animals.

When one thinks of cruel sports, the first thing that comes to mind is hunting. Hunting can take many forms; the animals that are preyed on include rabbits, hares and even pheasants. The type most people think of, however, is fox hunting; this is due in part to the media coverage it has received and the successful campaigns that led to it being banned in 2004. Recently, some politicians have been discussing repealing the ban, which could have disastrous consequences for foxes across the country who have become used to a life of relative safety.

Another type of hunting that is having a huge impact on the environment is 'trophy hunting', or the practice of killing large, exotic animals. Not only is this excessively cruel, it is also having a disastrous effect on the numbers of certain animals left in the wild; the League Against Cruel Sports estimates that in the last 15 years, 2,500 endangered leopards and 4,000 African elephants have been hunted down needlessly, with many species coming perilously close to extinction.

Bullfighting is another sport that causes immense pain to the animals involved. While it may look like a fair fight, the reality is much crueller, with the bull often being weakened prior to the 'game' with drugs. In some cases its horns are shaved and it may have even been stabbed. After the bull has become weak and disorientated it is sent to fight, often while in excruciating pain: the bulls are always killed but not before being injured by the matador, who will often stab the bull through the spinal cord to paralyse it prior to death.

Finally, we have snaring. Snaring involves the use of a small wire trap (or 'noose') to catch animals seen as vermin: foxes, rabbits and stoats are the most common victims. However, the snares are also indiscriminate, and many other animals may find themselves trapped, including badgers, livestock and everyday pets. Although snaring is banned in many other European countries, this activity is unfortunately still legal in the UK and is the cause of an often-prolonged death for thousands of animals.

While these sports may be horrific to read about, help is at hand for the creatures on the receiving end. The League Against Cruel Sports is dedicated to helping save animals from being injured or killed in the name of 'sport', and tirelessly work with local law enforcement to track down those who continue to indulge in cruel pastimes. Whether hunting, snaring or even dog fighting, if an animal is being harmed you can be sure the League Against Cruel Sports want to bring an end to it.

However, they can't do it alone, and always welcome donations and assistance from those who want to help animals across the UK. To find out how to save animals, the campaigns that the League Against Cruel Sports are currently running, or to donate time or money, don't hesitate to get in touch. It may only be a small contribution but it can save the lives of countless animals and prevent them from living in pain or fear: get in touch today and see how you can help.