Mell Why we should ban fox hunting?
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.
Why do some people think that it is OK to hunt foxes?
Supporters of fox hunting consider foxes to be vermin, like rats. They say the foxes spread disease and often break into farms and kill animals. Many people in the countryside say hunting foxes is a good way of keeping the number of animals under control.
Is fox hunting banned in UK?
The Hunting Act 2004 (c 37) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which bans the hunting of wild mammals (notably foxes, deer, hares and mink) with dogs in England and Wales; the Act does not cover the use of dogs in the process of flushing out an unidentified wild mammal, nor does it affect drag hunting.
Do fox hunts still happen?
Hunts have continued to be held throughout England and Wales, sometimes with the hunters and hounds following a previously laid scent trail rather than a live fox (drag hunting). When a live fox is hunted, the law requires the animal, if it is killed, to be shot by the hunters rather than killed by the hounds.
When was fox hunting banned in the UK?
Eventually fox hunting (as well as hare coursing and other forms of chasing wild mammals with dogs) was banned in Scotland under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, and in England and Wales under the Hunting Act 2004. It is still permitted in Northern Ireland.
Is it legal to hunt foxes on a trail?
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. Some fear 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.
Is it legal to kill a fox with a dog?
The 2004 Labour Government introduced the Hunting Act. This prohibited the hunting and killing of foxes and other wild animals with dogs. The Act won a large majority in Parliament and there was a strong surge of public support in favour of the ban. Despite the Hunting Act, there are loopholes in the law that mean inhumane acts are still legal.
Are there any countries where fox hunting is still legal?
They follow on foot, on horseback, in cars and on motorbikes. It has been banned in many countries, but is still popular in Australia, the United States, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy and elsewhere.