Hundreds of illegal hunts took place in British countryside last autumn, animal rights group says
Just when you thought the controversy around fox hunting had gone away this article reveals how divisive an ongoing issue it continues to be
A leading animal rights group has received 550 reports of illegal hunts in the British countryside since the start of the season last autumn.
Anti-hunting group the League Against Cruel Sports said the recorded instances were “just the tip of the iceberg”, suggesting that thousands of foxes, hares and deer were killed illegally every year.
Hunting wild animals with dogs was outlawed in England and Wales in 2004 after animal welfare campaigners argued chasing the wildlife caused unnecessary suffering.
But traditional hunts, where hounds follow a scent trail rather than an animal, are still permitted.
Chris Luffingham, League Against Cruel Sports director of campaigns, said: “Despite hunting being banned 13 years ago, it seems very little has changed, with hunts targeting and killing animals and deceiving the British public about their activities with excuses like ‘trail’ hunting.
“Sadly these reports are just the tip of the iceberg – with more than 300 hunts on the British mainland still in existence and actively targeting wildlife, we estimate that thousands of animals are still being killed every year.”