Whaaattt?

Part of the problem with rats is that they carry disease and also damage food among other things.

 

Terriers killing rats was a sport; with betting on which terrier could kill the most or how many a terrier could kill in a given period of time.

 

Unfortunately for Rats, they are know to harbour disease which humans are not immune to. At present there aren't other native species particularly known for this unless you discount some plant species.

 

Just because you don't see them doesn't mean there aren't any rats nearby. It just means you haven't spotted them.

 

A lot of people still kill rats with terriers

 

But in what way? Would you have had a better education or career, better medical treatment?
Also are you muddling having money and influence with belonging to a higher class than you think you are.
My life would have been no different in a classless society.
I've never met an upper class person; people with more money and influence than me; yes and some who assume airs and graces; yes.

 

@redstar there are an estimated 150 million rats in the USA so I would be amazed if there are none in your area, and there will 99% certainly be rats in the town. You just don't seem them much as they are more active after dark.

 

Terriers tend to kill rats quickly, not rip them to pieces. Probably quicker than modern poisons do, certainly faster than glue traps.

 

Only if you want to be overrun by them.

 

@Ergates The idea of muzzling hounds is an interesting one. I don't see why it couldn't be done, although with older dogs it would probably more difficult. Possible problem could be the muzzle getting caught in hedges or fences. Use of muzzles would mean those hunts which genuinely only follow drag scents could continue with the tradition. It would be interesting to see how many did continue.

 

The hunts are know to dig foxes out that have gone to ground and then throw the fox alive to the hounds, the fox doesn't even have a fighting chance.
They even throw the cubs to the hounds so they can get the taste of blood, I suspect the so called hunters all gather round to watch.

It's basically a bunch of hooligans on horseback with a pack of totally out of control dogs.
It belongs in the middle ages.

Being nicely dressed and all the paraphernalia just adds insult to injury.

 

Perhaps I should have said the upper classes as class envy had been mentioned. Anyway, onto Rats now.

 

A class system covers all classes.

I think society as a whole, and therefore the lives of the people within it, would be different in a classless society.

I have met, worked for, and worked with people from the upper, middle and lower classes. I think there are better ways to organise society.

 

What actually defines our class system ? Just for simplicity, let's say we have 3 classes - Upper, Middle and Working.
Upper could be posh accent, public school background, mansion/estate owner ?
Middle - not sure? Own their own house, white collar workers, speak English without a noticeable accent/dialect?
Working - lease/rent their house, involved in physical labour, more likely to be entitled to various benefits?
Problem is you could apply apply at least 1 of those definitions to all 3 classes - uppers can actually engage in physical labour, Middles can also do that and have a posh accent, Working can own their own property, employ others and win a million on the lottery.
So it goes on. What is termed as Social Mobility is undoubtedly easier for some than others but what, if asked, do some wish to achieve ? Wealth and celebrity status is what drives many whilst others simply wish to get on with their lives comfortably. "class" as we know it rarely matters.