The RSPCA is calling for a ban on trail hunting and for the Hunting Act to be tightened up to put a stop to the illegal hunting of mammals.
As part of the new ‘Time for Change’ coalition, led by the League Against Cruel Sports, the RSPCA is joining forces with a group of concerned organisations who believe that trail hunting - which is currently legal - is being used to create a smokescreen to allow illegal hunting with dogs to continue.
Trail hunting involves laying a predetermined trail for hounds to follow, using urine, body parts and/or carcasses from animals such as foxes, deer and hares. It only rose to prominence after the Hunting Act 2004 - which banned the hunting of most wild animals with dogs in England and Wales - was passed.
RSPCA director of policy Emma Slawinski said: “The RSPCA and the ‘Time for Change’ coalition is deeply concerned that some people are still determined to hunt foxes, regardless of the legislation.
“Since the hunting ban came into force, we fear trail hunting, which at the moment is still legal, is being used to create a smokescreen to allow illegal hunting with dogs - and all the abhorrent practices that come with it - to continue. This makes enforcement very challenging for the authorities. Clearly, it's time for change; and to end hunting for good
“The Hunting Act 2004 protects wild animals from poaching and hare coursing as well as hunting with dogs. While this law was a landmark piece of legislation, we are still seeing gut-churning proof that illegal hunting continues, highlighting the need to tighten the law and tackle loopholes to properly end this barbaric sport.
“We would like to see amendments which follow Scotland’s lead and ban trail hunting in England and Wales, introduce an offence for the negligent harming and killing of foxes, end exemptions such as for research and observation, increased custodial sentences, and for any convictions to be recorded on the Police National Computer.”
The launch of the coalition comes as the RSPCA’s recently-published Animal Kindness Index shows that four in five people (80%) either think animals should either never be used in a way that causes harm (43%) or only when there is no feasible alternative and for human benefit (37%). The charity has also long pointed to the overwhelming levels of public support against hunting with dogs.
Emma added: “Next year will mark 20 years since this landmark law was introduced. We hope that the power of our combined voices in the Time for Change coalition will persuade the government that it really is time to tighten up the Hunting Act legislation and ensure there is nowhere to hide for those who still exploit its loopholes to continue this cruel sport. Together, we are a stronger voice for animals.”
The coalition is urging members of the public to sign the Time for Change petition calling for the UK Government to strengthen the Hunting Act by removing its exemptions and also outlawing trail hunting.