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| Vinnie Jones kills 100 foxes, lines them up together, and takes a photo for Twitter (before deleting it) | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Former football hard-man Vinnie Jones has sparked fury after posting a grisly photo on Twitter of 100 foxes he apparently shot dead, boasting: “A real night lamping #foxes anyone beat this?” | Former football hard-man Vinnie Jones has sparked fury after posting a grisly photo on Twitter of 100 foxes he apparently shot dead, boasting: “A real night lamping #foxes anyone beat this?” |
| The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star, 52, claimed he gunned down the defenceless animals, whose bloody corpses are seen spread out across a field, in a night hunt. | The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star, 52, claimed he gunned down the defenceless animals, whose bloody corpses are seen spread out across a field, in a night hunt. |
| Animal campaigners said was “nothing less than a massacre”. | Animal campaigners said was “nothing less than a massacre”. |
| But a hunting organisation doubted the Hollywood actor could have found 100 foxes in any given area in rural Britain – suggesting Jones had killed the animals abroad or had stretched the truth. | But a hunting organisation doubted the Hollywood actor could have found 100 foxes in any given area in rural Britain – suggesting Jones had killed the animals abroad or had stretched the truth. |
| The former Wimbledon and Chelsea midfielder is an avid hunter and has caused controversy in the past after posting photos of his ‘kills’ on his Twitter account. | The former Wimbledon and Chelsea midfielder is an avid hunter and has caused controversy in the past after posting photos of his ‘kills’ on his Twitter account. |
| Mr Jones, who lives in Los Angeles but has a country cottage in Sussex, has shared various pictures of himself next to his bloody spoils – including one picture of him posing next to 16 dead rabbits. | Mr Jones, who lives in Los Angeles but has a country cottage in Sussex, has shared various pictures of himself next to his bloody spoils – including one picture of him posing next to 16 dead rabbits. |
| Philippa King, chief operating officer for the League Against Cruel Sports, hit out after Mr Jones last night posted the photo of the 100 slain foxes on his Twitter page. | Philippa King, chief operating officer for the League Against Cruel Sports, hit out after Mr Jones last night posted the photo of the 100 slain foxes on his Twitter page. |
| Ms King said: “The extermination of such a large number of foxes cannot be interpreted as simply dealing with a rogue fox problem or wildlife management. | Ms King said: “The extermination of such a large number of foxes cannot be interpreted as simply dealing with a rogue fox problem or wildlife management. |
| “Although the activity may be legal, there is no doubt it is unethical and likely totally unjustified – as fox populations are self-regulating. | “Although the activity may be legal, there is no doubt it is unethical and likely totally unjustified – as fox populations are self-regulating. |
| “The joy expressed here highlights the true nature of this activity, which is killing wildlife for fun and has nothing to do with fox control.” | “The joy expressed here highlights the true nature of this activity, which is killing wildlife for fun and has nothing to do with fox control.” |
| Mr Jones later deleted his controversial tweet after animal lovers lashed out on the social media site. | Mr Jones later deleted his controversial tweet after animal lovers lashed out on the social media site. |
| One wrote: “Loved Vinnie Jones as a footballer especially in Leeds days but can't respect someone that kills innocent animals for fun. Shocking!” | One wrote: “Loved Vinnie Jones as a footballer especially in Leeds days but can't respect someone that kills innocent animals for fun. Shocking!” |
| Another commented: “ Vinnie Jones, hard man of film and football thinks it hard to kills foxes and enjoy shooting. Now has deleted this but too late!” | Another commented: “ Vinnie Jones, hard man of film and football thinks it hard to kills foxes and enjoy shooting. Now has deleted this but too late!” |
| A poster also complained: “I've always loved Vinnie Jones. After seeing this tweet I'd happily lamp him myself. #vile #disgusting #cruel #keeptheban” | A poster also complained: “I've always loved Vinnie Jones. After seeing this tweet I'd happily lamp him myself. #vile #disgusting #cruel #keeptheban” |
| And one Tweeter said: “Here’s self proclaimed 'tough guy' @vinniejones65 bragging about his sickening pastime #AnimalRights”. | And one Tweeter said: “Here’s self proclaimed 'tough guy' @vinniejones65 bragging about his sickening pastime #AnimalRights”. |
| A spokesman for Mr Jones had not immediately replied for comment. | A spokesman for Mr Jones had not immediately replied for comment. |
| The hard-man earlier this month told how he had a passion for hunting birds and wildlife. He revealed he particularly enjoyed lamping, which is the slang term for shooting foxes at night. | The hard-man earlier this month told how he had a passion for hunting birds and wildlife. He revealed he particularly enjoyed lamping, which is the slang term for shooting foxes at night. |
| He told Shooting UK: “I love pigeon shooting — building the hide, putting the decoys out. | He told Shooting UK: “I love pigeon shooting — building the hide, putting the decoys out. |
| “Lamping is probably my favourite. I've spent a lot of money on customising my Land Rover for lamping. If the farmer has a fox problem I love going out and dealing with it for him.” | “Lamping is probably my favourite. I've spent a lot of money on customising my Land Rover for lamping. If the farmer has a fox problem I love going out and dealing with it for him.” |