In the UK, hunting remains a deeply contentious issue. Though laws such as the Hunting Act 2004 have been in place for nearly two decades, regulating the hunting of wild mammals with dogs, the debate surrounding the practice continues. The law prohibits the use of dogs to hunt wild animals, including foxes, hares, and deer, yet loopholes and illegal hunts persist, leading to significant legal challenges and closures of several prominent hunts. From a pro-ban stance, the push is now to close these loopholes and enforce stricter measures to ensure the cessation of hunting altogether.
The Hunting Act 2004: What It Did and Didn’t Do
The Hunting Act 2004 was a landmark piece of legislation designed to curtail hunting activities in England and Wales. It made it illegal to hunt wild mammals with dogs, bringing an end to centuries of traditional fox hunting, deer stalking, and hare coursing with hounds. However, the law allows for certain exemptions, including trail hunting, where hounds follow an artificial scent rather than live prey. These exemptions have been a point of contention, as many anti-hunting campaigners believe that hunts continue to use these loopholes as a cover for illegal hunting practices.
One high-profile legal case exposed such a practice: in 2021, Mark Hankinson, the director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), was convicted for advising how to use trail hunting as a façade for illegal fox hunting. This case drew widespread attention to the issue of “trail hunting” and called into question the effectiveness of the Hunting Act. His conviction led several major landowners, including the National Trust, to review or revoke licenses granted to hunts on their land (FOUR PAWS UK).
Hunt Closures and Legal Actions
In the years following the introduction of the Hunting Act, several hunts have either ceased operations or faced significant legal battles. Anti-hunting groups such as the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) and Hunt Saboteurs Association have been vigilant in monitoring hunts, documenting cases of illegal activity, and pressing charges against those involved in breaking the law.
A notable closure occurred in 2021 when the Kimblewick Hunt was shut down following a legal battle. The hunt had been accused of illegally chasing foxes under the guise of trail hunting. This closure was seen as a victory for anti-hunting campaigners who had long argued that the loophole in trail hunting was being exploited.
In addition to this, prosecutions of individual hunters have increased. In 2019, Paul Oliver, a huntsman for the Waterloo Cup, was convicted of hunting hares with dogs—a practice that had been outlawed. The increased scrutiny and legal pressure have led to several hunts folding or limiting their activities to avoid further prosecution (FOUR PAWS UK)(RSPCA).
The Push for a Total Ban
Despite the restrictions in place, those who support a ban on all hunting activities argue that the current legislation does not go far enough. Organisations like the League Against Cruel Sports have campaigned relentlessly for a tightening of the law, calling for an end to all forms of hunting with dogs, including trail hunting. A major concern is that hunts continue to exploit loopholes, and enforcement is insufficient to prevent illegal hunting.
Public opinion has also shifted significantly. Surveys conducted in recent years show that the majority of the UK public supports a complete ban on hunting with dogs. As of 2022, around 85% of the public expressed their opposition to hunting, and campaigns to close loopholes have gained significant momentum. Several MPs have raised this issue in Parliament, urging the government to amend the Hunting Act to remove the exemptions for trail hunting and strengthen enforcement (FOUR PAWS UK).
Public Land Bans and the Role of Landowners
A critical factor in the decline of hunting has been the role of large landowners in prohibiting hunts from using their properties. The National Trust, Natural Resources Wales, and several other landholders have banned trail hunting on their land following incidents of illegal hunting and public outcry. In 2021, the National Trust voted to suspend licenses for trail hunting on its estates, following the revelations from the Mark Hankinson case. This marked a significant blow to pro-hunting groups, as the Trust controls large swathes of rural land previously used by hunts (RSPCA).
Other organisations, including the Forestry Commission and the Lake District National Park, have also moved to restrict hunting activities on their land. These bans have significantly limited the areas where hunts can legally operate, making it more difficult for them to continue, even under the guise of trail hunting.
Legal Battles and Future Challenges
Legal cases against hunts and their supporters have continued to rise, with several prominent prosecutions helping to bolster the case for stronger laws. The conviction of huntsmen and hunting organisers has proven that illegal activities persist, despite the restrictions of the 2004 Act.
Anti-hunting advocates continue to push for complete prohibition, advocating for amendments to the Hunting Act to remove all exemptions and increase penalties for those found guilty of illegal hunting. Meanwhile, hunt saboteurs and wildlife activists continue to monitor hunts and gather evidence, often acting as a vital force in bringing illegal hunting to the courts.
Conclusion
While hunting in the UK has been significantly curtailed since the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004, the battle to end it completely is ongoing. Loopholes like trail hunting have allowed the practice to continue under a different guise, leading to a surge in legal cases and hunt closures in recent years. With public opinion strongly in favour of a total ban and increasing legal pressure on those who break the law, it seems likely that hunting in the UK will continue to face significant challenges in the coming years.
