In a 1926 Country Diary entry, a writer questioned the wisdom of gamekeepers killing weasels and stoats, arguing that these predators help control brown rats, the worst enemy of game-rearing. The author noted that gamekeepers often display corpses of supposed enemies, including magpies, weasels, and stoats, but rarely poaching dogs or cats.
The writer acknowledged the ethical debate around sport but focused on the economic aspect. Many game-preservers offer bounties on vermin, including stoats and weasels, but not on rats. However, the author contended that weasels and stoats keep down rat populations, potentially preserving more game than they destroy.
Without statistical proof, the writer suggested that farmers would benefit from allowing these carnivores to live, as they protect farm crops. The piece concluded by questioning whether keepers and the public are wise in permitting the destruction of these animals.
