Take action: Help get trail hunting banned for good
Born Free welcomes Government consultation on a Trail Hunting Ban, and urges the public to take action.
The UK Government has launched a public consultation on banning trail hunting on public land, as a long overdue step towards ending a practice that continues to cause chaos in our countryside and immeasurable animal suffering.
The consultation, which is open for submissions until 18th June, represents a crucial opportunity for citizens to help close one of the most damaging loopholes in modern wildlife protection legislation.
Trail hunting was introduced after traditional fox hunting with hounds was prohibited under the 2004 Hunting Act. It was presented as a harmless alternative, with hounds supposedly following an artificially-laid scent rather than pursuing live animals. However, hunts have been allegedly using trail hunting as a cover to enable them to continue chasing and killing foxes and other wild animals.
In response to the publication of the consultation, Born Free’s Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones said: “The Hunting Act was a landmark piece of legislation, reflecting the public’s rejection of hunting with hounds. However, loopholes in the Act have proven too easy to exploit. A clear, enforceable ban on trail hunting would remove ambiguity, reduce opportunities for illegal hunting, and send a strong message that the protection of wildlife and the welfare of wild animals is a national priority.”
Born Free is also urging the government to go further, by removing the exemptions in Schedule 1 of the Hunting Act that continue to provide hunts with excuses for pursuing live wild mammals. These exemptions include the use of dogs below ground to flush out wild mammals to protect birds for shooting, provide prey for falconry, for ‘research and observation’, or if the wild mammal is thought to be injured.
Penalties for failure to uphold the legislation should also be increased.
Born Free is urging supporters — and anyone concerned about protecting our wildlife and reducing animal suffering — to take part in the consultation before the 18th June deadline.
Dr Jones continued: “Public engagement will be essential to demonstrate widespread backing for banning trail hunting, strengthening the Hunting Act, and removing the current loopholes. We encourage people to read the consultation materials carefully, submit their own responses, and share the opportunity with friends, family and wider contacts. Together, we can end trail hunting and strengthen the Hunting Act in order to finally bring to an end this longstanding blight on Britain’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers.”
Born Free has produced a simple step-by-step guide to help people engage with the consultation.
Help get trail hunting banned
You can help ensure the UK Government bans trail hunting for good – visit our Take Action page to find out how to submit a response to the public consultation, before 18th June.