Calls for Labour to honour pledge to toughen anti-hunt laws
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Government urged to ban trail hunting as data suggests illegal foxhunting is still widespread in England and Wales. Animal welfare campaigners are calling on ministers to keep to a pledge to toughen anti-hunt laws, as figures suggest illegal foxhunting remains widespread in England and Wales.
Almost 20 years since the Hunting Act 2004 was brought in by Tony Blair’s government, the League Against Cruel Sports (Lacs) – the animal welfare charity that was the driving force behind the original ban – says its data evidences how stronger legislation is required to close loopholes and prohibit trail hunting, which campaigners say has been used as a smokescreen for illegal foxhunting. Trail hunting is where dogs follow an animal-based scent.
The figures, which were released in advance of the hunts’ Boxing Day parades, were collated by Lacs from August and encompassed both the cub-hunting season and first six weeks of the foxhunting season, which started in November. They reveal 186 reports of foxes being pursued by hunts and 220 reports relating to suspected illegal hunting incidents.
Lacs also highlights 553 cases of what it terms “hunt havoc”, disruptive or antisocial behaviour affecting rural communities, which may include trespassing on farmland and worrying livestock, hunt hounds being loose on roads and attacks on domestic animals.
