Following the announcement of the death of Derek Tyler, there has been an outpouring of joy and celebration on social media. ‘One less’ is the main theme.
Why so much celebration?
The psychopathy of fox hunters is often reflected in their apparent lack of empathy, their enjoyment of cruelty, and their disregard for the suffering of sentient beings. Psychopathy is characterised by traits such as callousness, superficial charm, and a diminished capacity for guilt or remorse—qualities that can be observed in those who take pleasure in pursuing and killing animals for sport. While some fox hunters justify their actions with appeals to tradition or pest control, the reality is that modern hunting is largely a pastime for the privileged, where the suffering of the fox is secondary to the thrill of the chase. The deliberate infliction of pain, often drawn out by hounds chasing a terrified animal to exhaustion, suggests a disturbing level of emotional detachment.
Moreover, the group dynamics of fox hunting may reinforce psychopathic tendencies, as participants become desensitised to violence and emboldened by their peers. The ceremonial aspects of the hunt, including the smearing of blood on newcomers’ faces, normalise cruelty and create a sense of camaraderie rooted in dominance over nature. Studies in psychology have long shown that when cruelty is institutionalised or ritualised, individuals are more likely to engage in and justify inhumane behaviour. The aggressive reaction of many hunters to anti-hunting campaigners further underscores their sense of entitlement and lack of moral introspection. In an age where empathy towards animals is increasingly recognised as a marker of ethical progress, the mindset of fox hunters appears not just outdated but deeply pathological.
For those who bemoan the fact that this is bad taste, here is something for you:
Shutting down those who expose murder on an industrial scale:
It puts the death of one fox hunter into perspective.
