Fox hunting
Fox hunting was banned in England and Wales in 2005 (and in Scotland in 2002) in reaction to the public. They, along with the RSPCA were strongly against the cruelty of wild animals being chased, often to the point of exhaustion, before being purposely set upon by packs of dogs for so called 'sport'.
Trail hunting is still legal
Trail hunting involves laying a trail for hounds to follow, using urine, body parts and carcasses from animals such as foxes.
This new 'sport' was adopted by hunts after the Hunting Act 2004 was passed. But despite the ban on traditional hunts, continuing to train hounds to follow such scents could lead to wild quarry animals such as foxes being disturbed, chased and killed if they pick up the scent of a live animal on the trail. In addition, there is the risk that dogs on these hunts may disturb non-targeted animals, who then may also suffer from injury and stress.
Despite being legal there have been concerns that trail hunting is being used as a smokescreen to get around the law and continue traditional, illegal fox hunting, which would be a major concern. In recent years several major landowners have suspended or permanently banned trail hunting on their land.
Is drag hunting a more humane alternative?
We're opposed to any so-called 'sport' which causes suffering to animals. We believe that the use of the scent of dead animals is totally unnecessary as other alternatives exist.
Drag hunts, for example, follow a pre-laid artificial scent around a designated course. The person drags a material soaked in aniseed or another powerful substance which the dogs then follow. It's far rarer that foxes or other wildlife will be accidentally chased and killed as the dogs are not trained by hunts to chase animals.
This doesn't pose a threat to wildlife if done correctly and in accordance with the law. We would urge the public to practise hunts that minimise the chance of animals suffering.
How could the Hunting Act be improved?
The following amendments could improve the Hunting Act 2004:
Introducing an offence of recklessly hunting a wild mammal
A tighter definition of hunting to include 'searching for'
Repealing certain exemptions which can act as loopholes
Increased sentencing to include custodial sentences as well as fines and for any convictions to be recorded like other crimes
A ban on the use of animal products for laying trails for trail hunting
For trail hunts to be registered and required to provide maps of the trails to the police in advance and record instances where foxes have been killed by hounds
