MORE that three-quarters of people in Salisbury and the New Forest do not think fox-hunting should be banned - according to our poll.
Last week, we asked our readers to vote on the controversial subject, which has sparked a vicious political debate.
When the telephone lines closed on Monday at midnight, 248 (22.5 per cent) had voted in favour of a total ban, while 854 readers (77.5 per cent) thought the blood sport should not be stopped.
This is in stark contrast with the outcome in parliament, where 362 MPs wanted to see an end to hunting with dogs, while only 154 voted against a ban, including Salisbury MP Robert Key and Desmond Swayne, from the New Forest West constituency.
The issue has provoked a fierce row locally, with huntsmen fearing for jobs and the countryside way of life, while anti-hunt protesters are claiming victory in their fight against animal cruelty.
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