tHE hunting BAN
It has been twenty years since the Hunting Act 2004, commonly known as The Hunting Ban, was enacted in England and Wales, prohibiting the hunting of wild mammals with dogs. Yet despite this legislation, we know that fox, stag, hare and mink
hunting still happens.
Different types of Hunting explained
Although hunting wild mammals with dogs was banned under the Hunting Act 2004, these types of hunting remain legal.
Drag Hunting
Hounds follow a pre-determined artificial scent trail rather than an animal-based scent.
Drag Hunting is a long-standing tradition where hounds follow a predetermined artificial scent away from wildlife-sensitive areas. It is legal under the Hunting Act 2004, as the risk to wildlife is minimal at present, but it may increase if Trail Hunters move to Drag Hunting.
CLEAN boot hunting
A trained pack of bloodhounds follow a human runner.
Clean Boot Hunting, aka Bloodhound Hunting, is well-established and compliant with the Hunting Act 2004. A pack of bloodhounds are trained to follow a human scent and chase a human runner, and seems to pose no threat to wild animals.
Trail HUNTING
Trail hunting emerged after the Hunting Act 2004 and is generally seen as a legal loophole.
Trail hunting emerged after the 2004 Hunting Act and is generally seen as a legal loophole. Hounds follow a pre-laid trail of animal-based scent, like fox urine. It is often laid in wildlife-sensitive areas raising the chances of finding live animals. This allows Hunts to claim a chase and kill was accidental. As prosecutors have to prove intent to secure a conviction under the Hunting Act 2004, this has allowed Trail Hunting to operate as a cover
for illegal hunting activities.
The New Hunting Ban
For years, wildlife rights organisations have been lobbying for an effective ban on hunting mammals with dogs by eliminating all exemptions under the Hunting Act 2004. Later this year, the government is poised to hold a consultation signalling
a potential re-evaluation of the Act.
In response, The New Hunting Ban has been formed to address loopholes in the current law. This organisation brings experts, stakeholders and MPs together to propose legislative changes that would deliver a real ban on hunting mammals with dogs.
Verify Humanity is collaborating with The New Hunting Ban to effect these changes.
PROBLEMS with the hunting act 2004
Exemptions
Common defences
The dog was not under my control.
I wasn’t aware someone else was using my land to hunt.
It was an accident.
I believed the hunting was exempt.
Possible changes to the Hunting ACT 2004
Banning Trail Hunting could force those prepared to break the law into Drag and Clean Boot hunting, thus perpetuating the problem. Using a pack of hounds in the countryside is inherently risky for wildlife and difficult to monitor. An outright ban would therefore be best.
OUTRIGHT BAN
Ban trail hunting
In lieu of an outright ban, we support the banning of trail hunting. Trail hunting was established to mimic a real hunt. It has operated under the guise of legal hunting while allowing business as usual.
Legal DEFINTION
There should be a simple and clear legal definition of hunting.
1) No searching for a mammal with the intention of killing.
2) No chasing a mammal for any length of time.
3) No killing a mammal.
increase sentences
Present legislation does not deter illegal hunting. Sentencing should align with the recent Hunting with Dogs Act (Scotland) 2023. This allows for a fine of up to £40,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment for more serious
'indictable' offences.
Recklessness clause
Many wildlife criminals go free as they argue they did not intend to chase and kill wildlife. A recklessness clause would allow for prosecution not only when there's direct intent to hunt and kill a wild mammal, but also when individuals act in a way that knowingly creates a high risk
of such an outcome.
Animal OFFENDERS LIST
We propose the introduction of an Animal Offenders Register to list individuals and organisations with a conviction, caution, reprimand or warning connected to the well-being of an animal. When employing staff, a Hunt should carry out a Standard DBS check to avoid taking on Animal Offenders.
D.B.S. CHECK
Disclosure and Barring Service should be amended to classify animals as a vulnerable group. Those who have a conviction, caution, reprimand or warning should not be allowed to work with animals. A standard DBS should be compulsory for anyone employed or self-employed in roles that involve animals. This would act as a significant deterrent to those working or
participating in Hunts.
Hounds should be microchipped and registered with vets unconnected to the Hunt. Hounds must be annually vaccinated with regular health checks and TB Testing. There should be a limit on the number of hounds a Hunt can keep. Hounds that chase or kill an animal or are unsuitable or too old must be adopted through regulated adoption agencies. Hounds should only be put down by a vet when it is not possible to save them with cause of death recorded officially. Microchips should be irradiated and signed off by the vet to prevent Hunts from removing microchips from hounds and reusing them on replacement dogs.
Hound REGULATIONS
Hound regulations for accountability should include:
- Training hounds to a high recall standard.
- Hounds trained to nationally recognised calls.
- Provide evidence that training has been completed.
- Establish a distance hounds can be from the Huntsmen.
- Introduce a limit to the number of hounds on a hunt.
- Brightly coloured muzzles should be used on a hunt.
REGULATING DRAG AND CLEAN BOOT HUNTING
Drag hunting and clean boot hunting regulations should include:
- Keep records of all pre-planned hunting routes.
- Hunt staff must wear front and rear-facing cameras to record the hunt.
- Keep records that the Hunt stayed on route.
- Keep records of any deviations from the pre-planned route.
- Keep records of any accidental animal chases or deaths
- Complete transparency of all these records with the public.
- Hunts must register with the Master of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association (MDBA).
- Hunts must abide by the MDBA operational standards.
- Newly established MDBA hunts should be run by a pre-existing member.
- Trail hunters who join a Drag or Clean Boot Hunt should have a membership that reflects their trail hunting origins.
protect hounds
