The Scottish Parliament has an open call for views about the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill, the new Bill aiming to close the loopholes that allow fox hunting to continue.
This current call for views has been launched by the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment committee in parliament, as part of their scrutiny of the Bill. It is important that they hear the public’s views. MSPs, especially those on this committee, are the people who can make changes to the Bill, so this is another chance to strengthen the parts that need it.
We have put together this short and simple guide to aid you in responding to the call for views. It should only take 10-15 minutes of your time. Respond to the survey here.
We, like you, want a full foxhunting ban. However, working towards legislative change is not straightforward. Some of our suggested answers may not reflect what we would ideally like to see but will offer a significant improvement in animal welfare compared to the current situation.The fact that questions are multiple-choice, and the way they are worded, restricts the answers it is possible to give.
The call for views closes on 13 May so please make sure that you have responded by then. Thank you so much for helping the animals.
Survey response guide
Respond to the survey here.
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Will the bill make the law easier to understand and enforce the offence to hunt a wild mammal using a dog in Scotland?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: We agree with the intention of this Bill and it makes some significant improvements on the current law. However, it contains exceptions that could create new loopholes, and it is unclear if it will be easier to understand and enforce.
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Section 3 would allow hunting with dogs to manage wild mammals above ground for the purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock, woodland or crops, preventing the spread of disease and protecting human health. Do you agree with section 3?
Our suggested answer: No
Reason: If wild mammals need to be ‘managed’ for the reasons specified, it must be evidence based and prioritise animal welfare. The wording of this exception is not strong enough to ensure that.
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Do you agree with the limit on two dogs to manage wild mammals above ground?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: We do not agree with this exception but if it is going to remain then using only two dogs is preferable. (You can explain this answer in the comments at the end.)
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Section 4 would allow people to apply for a licence to use more than two dogs to manage wild mammals above ground. Do you agree with section 4?
Our suggested answer: No
Reason: It is harder to keep larger numbers of dogs under control, there will be more disturbance to wild animals (other than the one being targeted), and there is more likelihood of a chase or of the wild mammal being killed by the dogs. We are also concerned that this could create a loophole that will allow traditional foxhunting.
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Section 5 would allow hunting with dogs to manage foxes or mink below ground for the purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock, woodland or crops, preventing the spread of disease and protecting human health or for ending the suffering of an injured or dependent fox or mink. Do you agree with section 5?
Our suggested answer: No
Reason: We do not agree with sending any number of dogs underground, due to the grave welfare concerns for both the dog and the wild mammals involved. Sending a dog into an enclosed space with a wild mammal creates a strong likelihood of fighting.
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Do you agree with the limit on one dog being allowed to flush a fox from cover to one below ground?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: We do not agree with this exception but if it is going to remain then using only one dog is preferable. (You can explain this answer in the comments at the end.)
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Section 6 would allow hunting with dogs to search for, stalk or flush from cover a wild mammal with the intention of providing quarry for falconry, game shooting or deer stalking. Do you agree with section 6?
Our suggested answer: No
Reason: The intention of the Bill to end the hunting of wild mammals with dogs as ‘sport’ and this exception is in direct contradiction to that.
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Do you agree with the limit on two dogs to search for, stalk or flush from cover a wild mammal with the intention of providing quarry for falconry, game shooting or deer stalking?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: We do not agree with this exception but if it is going to remain then using only two dogs is preferable. (You can explain this answer in the comments at the end.)
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Section 7 would allow hunting with dogs for environmental benefit for the purpose of preserving, protecting or restoring a particular species, the diversity of animal or plant life, or eradicating an invasive non-native species. Do you agree with section 7?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: We are not opposed to an exception for genuine environmental benefits that have minimal impact on the wild animals involved. These could include using dogs to locate animals of an endangered species to count or monitor but not harm them, for example. However, we remain concerned that this exception may be used in other ways.
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Do you agree with the limit on two dogs for the purpose of preserving, protecting or restoring a particular species, the diversity of animal or plant life, or eradicating an invasive non-native species?
Our suggested answer: Yes
Reason: For genuine, well-evidenced, interventions falling under this exception a two-dog limit is reasonable.
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Section 8 would allow people to apply for a licence to use more than two dogs to manage wild mammals for environmental benefit. Do you agree with section 8?
Our suggested answer: No
Reason: We are concerned that this could create a loophole that allows traditional hunting.
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Do you agree with the section 11 proposed ban on trail hunting?
Our suggested answer: Yes
Reason: Trail hunting has emerged in other parts of the UK as a cover story for traditional fox hunting. It is therefore wise to pre-emptively ban it in Scotland.
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Section 12 would allow trail hunting for the purpose of training a dog to follow an animal-based scent. Do you agree with section 12?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: This section gives an exception allowing dogs to be trained on an animal-based scent. There are legitimate situations that might require this, such as training dogs to locate (not hunt) endangered species for conservation efforts.
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Do you agree with the definition of ‘wild mammal’ in section 1(3) of the bill?
Our suggested answer: Yes
Reason: This is a reasonable definition and an improvement on the previous one.
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Do you agree that rats and mice should be included in the definition of a wild animal?
Our suggested answer: Neutral
Reason: As a matter of principle, we believe all mammals should be included in this definition; because they clearly are wild mammals and because we don’t believe in categorising animals to allow some to receive less protection than others. However, some of the ways that rats and mice are currently killed, other than by dogs, are extremely cruel. If rats and mice are included in the definition of wild mammal for the purposes of this Bill, then using terriers to kill them would become illegal. A possible consequence of this is that people would then use the other, worse methods instead.
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Do you agree that the court may disqualify a person from owning, keeping, or managing a dog for a given length of time, or deprive them of the dog or horse used in the offence, if convicted of an offence under this Bill?
Our suggested answer: Yes
Reason: This is a suitable provision, particularly as there are frequently welfare concerns for the dogs involved as well as the wild mammals.
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Do you support the Bill?
Our suggested answer: Yes
Reason: We support the intention behind the Bill, although it needs close scrutiny to ensure the weaknesses are amended.
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Please provide any comments in the box below. When responding, it would be helpful if you could indicate which section of the bill your comments relate to.
Suggested points you might make (in your own words if possible):
- This Bill is much needed and long overdue and offers a chance to really ban fox hunting in Scotland, and I support the intention behind it.
- It is important that new loopholes are not created but as it is currently drafted that is a real possibility.
- The multiple-choice questions are sometimes difficult to answer; where I have answered ‘neutral’ to a limit of two dogs (or one, in the case of question 6), I disagree with the exception, but if it remains, I think a two-dog limit is preferable to more dogs.
- I do not agree with any licensing scheme for more than two dogs but if any are to exist, it is important that the licensing scheme is robust and follows ethical principles.
- It is important that any exceptions are clearly defined and require evidence that substantial harm is being caused and that there are no other solutions available.
We need to stop this there is no excuse for fox hunting in this day and age.The fox has no chance and normally dies a horrible death.Trail hunting is just a excuse to find a fox.
Absolutely agree. It is evil to do this to an amazing and sentient being.
End foxhunting immediately.
I totally sgree,it still inhumane and barbaric!
We are on the brink of a total collapse of nature and to lose many species. Therefore I am 100% against all forms of hunting. We keep saying that everything is connected. Well if so all species are connected and to quote Francis Thompson:
“All things by immortal power,
Near or Far,
Hiddenly,
To each other linked are,
That thou canst not stir a flower,
Without troubling of a star”
Please please stop them murdering our beautiful wildlife for fun!! And take the poor dogs away from them!
The welfare of animals should be paramount. Fox hunting is barbaric, belongs in the dark ages, and should be banned once and for all.
The people who own the dogs and allow blood sport are a grave cause for concern. Their mentality is worrying.
Well said. totally agree with your excellent points.
This is a barbaric thing for anyone to participate in, it’s frightening what goes through a person’s mind if they really don’t see anything wrong with it, I mean these people ( the loosest meaning) have some sort of mental addiction to needing the blood of an innocent animal in the most brutal painful way, that’s how serial killers start, and they train poor dogs so they can go out of their way to track down their victims, and people wonder why the world is turning to s..t 💩 it’s disgusting and I so hope they all get their karma, and definitely YES this has to stop, in all its forms.
Patricia, Exactly! It’s common knowledge that we Need animals on this planet for both beauty and ecological balance – that is why they are here. It is also common knowledge no sane person on this planet Needs the parasitical Rich or “powerful”, for Any reason. If these two-legged Cancers were to completely disappear today, their presence Would Not Be Missed. On the contrary, people, animals AND the planet would be totally grateful.
We must stop the horrible deaths of foxes and other creatures once and for all
We must stop the horrible deaths of foxes and other creatures once and for all.
Any form of Hunting is Totally Sick, Totally Unnecessary, and nothing more than Savagery. The people who think it’s acceptable are a Sub Species and have no place in a modern society. Killing any living thing is a crime against nature.
All Animals have a right to live in peace just as we humans.
It’s a sad reflection that some of our Royals felt the need to murder innocent animals.
I cannot believe we are still trying to eradicate fox hunting. We are a nation of animal lovers I hear people saying? We can start to be a nation of animal lovers if we stop this vile act.
I hate fox hunting, barbaric.
Section 6 I think it it should be banned completely. And the people who adhere to it are sick. They need to be brought to justice.
There is no excuse for fox hunting or any other wild animal for that matter.
Trail hunting is a smoke screen to allow innocent animals to be ripped apart by dogs for humans pleasure.
Take the right and proper action, protect all wildlife.
I would make an exception and allow hounds to hunt Boris.
We as humans really do have to accept that the planets animals have the same right as humans to live there lives in peace and be safe from dehumanised people ,who find animal torture & killing exciting. These are genuine phyopaths who would enjoy killing anything breathing including humans. It is not normal to enjoy killing. So why do we allow it at all ???.
Please ban this cruel terrible death of our wild animals just for stupid peoples past time.
Foxes and other wildlife were on this earth before us – we have stolen their habitat. They need to be left alone to live in peace!
All hunting in whatever form should be banned. We share this Earth with every being including wildlife. Humans are very shellfish and I’m pleased I won’t be here for the human demise. Humans deserve every thing that’s coming to them. We have lost so much of our wildlife because of us. Loss of habitat has diminished lots of our wildlife and we should feel ashamed, but lots of humans are very selfish and don’t care
No animal on this earth should suffer or be tortured or abused in anyway shape or form. The creator of life had a divine plan for us all to live in harmony!! To torture an animal and hunt it till is got nothing else to give is a crime against nature! Now grow up and be kind !!
It is despicable in this day and age that over privileged cruel people continue to do this to poor defenceless animals. They’re human too. Let’s stop this forever. It’s totally unacceptable, barbaric, malicious….
We all love entertainment but how can any human being admit to chasing animals to their deaths for entertainment and say with any sanity it gives them pleasure. Lets move on and learn , leave this cruel pastime in history where we know it belongs.
When I read of such unnecessary cruelty and evil inflicted on innocent, defenceless sentient, characterful animals by humans – I look to the day I finally gave up on the human species and became a misanthrope – best decision I ever made, especially along with going Vegan !!!!
Fox hunting is animal cruelty in spades. These “loopholes” ought to have been closed years ago. But better late than never.
This is just trying to whitewash hunting. All hunting needs to be banned. The only things causing damage to livestock, woodland, and animals is bloody over privileged humans who like to describe it as sport. Not very sporty if you’re the animal being chased to death.
Fox hunting should be stopped and consigned to history where it belongs.
Stop all hunting no animal should be killed leave nature alone
No animal whatsoever should be hunted and killed. They have every right to leave – like we do!
No animal whatsoever should be hunted and killed. They have every right to live – like we do!
I agree that all hunting and fishing should be banned. There is no place in any society for killing for sport, the people who take part in such barbaric practises should have a taste of their own medicine if they want to find out what fear the poor animal suffers from and who do not have a choice in being hunted down by what i can only describe as the scum of the earth. Maybe they would only be happy once the prey had been wiped out as has happened to many other species by mans hands in the name of sport throughout history. What would they turn their hands to for sport then, each other perhaps?
Wild creatures have a hard enough time in surviving in their natural environment, without the need for (in)-humans, horses and dogs making their lives even more miserable. Lets keep the ban, all hunting should be completely out-lawed in the 21st century. The world is a cruel enough place without certain inhumane beings thinking its good fun to hunt. Hunting is just a cover up name for barbaric and sadistic murder.
As a small child, I witnessed two dummies dig a fox out of the riverbank and throw it to the dogs, at the behest of riders in fancy dress, before being dragged away screaming by my Mother.
They weren’t men, they were foul, vicious, inhumane murderers.
No animal of any kind should ever be used for sport, fun or as a commodity.
They are sentient beings just as humans are and feel pain, stress, sadness and joy.
Why is it that humans think they have the right to have power over animals.
God’s creatures were all created equally and we should take our role as caretakers of his Creation very, very seriously.
Would any of us want to be chased to exhaustion and then be ripped to pieces and killed by a pack of dogs or stand in a queue waiting to be slaughtered………I think not!!
Fox-hunting is brutal and barbaric, it should be banned outright. There is no place in the 21st century for this medieval practice.
Please end fox hunting for good. It is so inhumane. It is animal abuse.