Shake-up laws to protect foxes from 'bloodthirsty' hunters, campaigners warn

09 July 2023 , 15:00

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Animal welfare campaigners want the Hunting Act tightened (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A top animal welfare campaigner today demands an overhaul of the hunting ban to protect foxes.

The League Against Cruel Sports’ deputy chief executive Chris Luffingham told the Mirror the existing 19-year-old law was “inadequate and not fit for purpose”. He was speaking after dozens of animal rights organisations and charities joined forces to press for a legal shake-up.

Under the banner Time for Change, 32 groups including Animal Aid, Born Free, Four Paws International, Humane Society International UK and PETA want the law bolstered and loopholes closed. Mr Luffingham said: “These people that go hunting, they are engaged in a brutal and bloodthirsty sport, they get their kicks from chasing animals across the countryside and killing for the pleasure of killing. There is no legitimate reason to do this other than the fact that this is where they get their entertainment.”

He added: “Politicians need to step up, make the law stronger and remove exemptions to the Hunting Act so we can effectively prosecute illegality.” Fox hunting was outlawed in February 2005 following a vote in Parliament on the 2004 Hunting Act.

League Against Cruel Sports’ deputy chief executive Chris Luffingham

But trail hunting, where riders and hounds follow a scent along a predetermined route, is allowed. It is meant to replicate a traditional hunt but without a fox being chased, maimed or killed. But activists claim it is simply cover for hunts to pursue and kill foxes.

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Calling for a complete ban on trail hunting, Mr Luffingham said it was designed to “mimic and as closely replicate what was then illegal hunting as was possible”. He added: “What we now know, after years of observing trail hunting in action, is that it’s just a smokescreen. It’s used to obfuscate and hide the fact that illegal hunting is going on. It’s just a way to hoodwink and sidestep the law.”

West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris, a former MP and the League Against Cruel Sports chairman, said: “A key measure of civilised society is how it treats animals. The current loopholes that have become blatantly clear need closing and the police must be backed with the resources they require. Twenty years on we again need politicians to come together to help end the senseless and unnecessary cruelty that still continues. With a general election looming our message is that it’s time for change and to truly ban hunting once and for all.”

League Against Cruel Sports’ chairman Dan Norris

RSPCA director of policy Emma Slawinski said the charity was “deeply concerned that some people are still determined to hunt foxes, regardless of the legislation”. She added: “Since the hunting ban came into force, we fear trail hunting, which at the moment is still legal, is being used to create a smokescreen to allow illegal hunting with dogs - and all the abhorrent practices that come with it - to continue. This makes enforcement very challenging for the authorities.

“Clearly, it's time for change; and to end hunting for good Next year will mark 20 years since this landmark law was introduced. We hope that the power of our combined voices in the Time for Change coalition will persuade the Government that it really is time to tighten up the Hunting Act legislation and ensure there is nowhere to hide for those who still exploit its loopholes to continue this cruel sport.”

RSPCA director of policy Emma Slawinski

Labour has vowed to ban trail hunting if it regains power at the next election. But Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner warned: “The Labour Party must not repeat the mistakes of the past and fall into the trap of alienating rural voters for the sake of cosying up to single issue, ideological obsessives.”

He said the original hunting ban was introduced because “animal rights groups persuaded Labour to waste 700 hours of parliamentary time pursuing a pointless vendetta against hunting”. He added: “Real charities should be promoting policies that improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals, not launching vindictive campaigns against rural minorities.”

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Ben Glaze