Kate Middleton Not Hunting

Kate Middleton has decided to bow out of the yearly pheasant hunt that takes place on Boxing Day in England. After People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent Middleton a letter to urge her to follow the steps of the late Princess Diana, who discouraged hunting for sport, Middleton has announced she will not participate. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk sent a letter to Middleton describing the cruelty of the hunt—some birds are left to bleed to death. While sources at PETA state that the letter encouraged the Duchess to opt out, other sources claim that she is not shooting in order to maintain tradition, as women historically do not hold guns during the shoot. According to UK animal organization Animal Aid, each year approximately 45 million pheasants and partridges are bred in Britain for the sole purpose of being hunted.