In a surprising turn of events, fox hunting has made a controversial return in Scotland despite a landmark ban. The Daily Record reports that more than 40 licenses for hunting with packs of dogs have been issued since the prohibition came into effect last year. This resurgence has raised concerns among animal rights activists and the general public, who fear that the blood sport is exploiting legal loopholes to continue its activities. The Scottish Government is now under pressure to close these gaps and enforce the ban more effectively.
Loopholes in the Legislation
The resurgence of fox hunting in Scotland has been attributed to loopholes in the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023. This legislation was introduced to close gaps in the previous 20-year-old ban, which were routinely exploited by hunts. The new law imposes a two-dog limit on hunts unless a special license is obtained for reasons such as protecting livestock or wildlife. However, from November 2023 to April 2024, 41 licenses were issued for hunting with larger packs of dogs, averaging nearly two per week.
NatureScot, Scotland’s wildlife agency, has defended its compliance monitoring as “proportionate and robust,” stating that not all licenses were used. However, only two of these licenses were monitored for compliance, raising questions about the effectiveness of the oversight. The League Against Cruel Sports has urged the Scottish Government to close any gaps in the legislation that could be allowing mounted fox hunting to continue.
The Lauderdale Hunt, one of Scotland’s mounted hunts, has been linked to several of these licenses. Emails between NatureScot and the League Against Cruel Sports revealed that four licenses issued between February and April were connected to a dog handler known to work for the Lauderdale Hunt. This has fueled concerns that the hunt is exploiting the licensing system to continue its activities.
Public Outcry and Activism
The return of fox hunting has sparked outrage among animal rights activists and the general public. The League Against Cruel Sports has been vocal in its criticism, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of the ban. Robbie Marsland, the organization’s director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, stated that the League routinely filmed hunts exploiting the old legislation and is now calling for immediate action to close any remaining loopholes.
Public sentiment is largely against the return of fox hunting, with many viewing it as a cruel and outdated practice. The Scottish Government has faced mounting pressure to address the issue and ensure that the ban is effectively enforced. Activists have organized protests and campaigns to raise awareness and demand stricter regulations.
The controversy has also reignited debates about the role of hunting in modern society. While some argue that hunting is necessary for controlling predator populations and protecting livestock, others believe that there are more humane and effective methods available. The ongoing legal and public battles highlight the deep divisions on this issue.
Government Response and Future Actions
In response to the public outcry, the Scottish Government has pledged to review the current legislation and close any loopholes that may be allowing fox hunting to continue. Wellbeing Minister Mairi McAllan, who helped introduce the new law, emphasized that the chasing and killing of wild mammals with dogs has no place in modern Scotland. She acknowledged that deficiencies in the previous legislation had led to concerns about its effectiveness and pledged to take further action if necessary.
The government is also considering additional measures to prevent the exploitation of the licensing system. This could include stricter monitoring and enforcement, as well as potential changes to the criteria for issuing licenses. The goal is to ensure that the ban on fox hunting is comprehensive and effectively enforced.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Scottish Government will be closely monitoring the impact of the current legislation and gathering feedback from stakeholders. The outcome of this review will be crucial in determining the future of fox hunting in Scotland and ensuring that the ban is upheld.
