Presenter Tom Heap discussed the rise in illegal bloodsports on Countryfile tonight, and how they could be directly related to social media and the rise in gambling.
The BBC host is known for his hard-hitting and thought-provoking segments on the BBC nature documentary programme.
Tonight’s was no different, and left many viewers upset and in tears at the shocking images and footage of hare coursing and cock fighting.
However many also wondered why the presenter was talking about certain animal blood sports, and omitted perhaps the most well known one - fox hunting.
The sport was banned by the British government in 2004 with the Hunting Act, and is still illegal in England, Scotland and Wales today.
The Act made “hunting wild mammals with a pack of dogs (three or more) in the traditional style unlawful”, but it is still legal to hunt foxes in Northern Ireland.
Taking to Twitter, viewers expressed their feelings on the subject.
“#bbc #countryfile How are the bloodsports you showed tonight any different from wealthy men shooting grouse or hunting foxes? Aren't all of these sports either equally abhorrent, or equally acceptable?” one person asked.
Another wrote: “@BBCCountryfile It is all very well cherry picking which bloodsports you deem deplorable but you should cover the main lawbreakers who hunt foxes and deer with packs of out of control dogs. #countryfile.”
“Angrier than I had expected at this point in the weekend #Countryfile,” a third shared.
