AS lovers of the country and animals, before our little dogs died my boyfriend and I used to take a stroll up the lanes in Heslington.

Now we go to take food for the birds as we enjoy the country air. To our disgust, we came across a poor fox shot dead in the stomach.

The poor animal was in a decaying state with flies on it, and was also a health hazard.

I realise the fox can be a threat to farmers or maybe gamekeepers but, after all, it's part of wildlife too.

If the person who shot the fox reads this, they will probably have no thought for my concern, but they could have had the decency to at least bury it.

J D Ellerton, Burlington Avenue, Tang Hall, York.