Campaign to really ban hunting in Scotland gathers momentum with march and rally: Saturday 24th March, Edinburgh
Hundreds of people are expected in Edinburgh this weekend to march For the Foxes, an event organised by the League Against Cruel Sports and OneKind with support from IFAW to highlight overwhelming support from the public to strengthen the current hunting law to make it fit for purpose and end fox hunting for good.
The charities believe the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act is insufficient to stop hunts hunting in the way they did prior to the law coming into force in 2002 and have been campaigning for it to be improved to close loopholes which allow for traditional hunting. This view is supported by over 30,000 people who responded to a recent consultation on the issue.
This weekend’s march will culminate in a rally at the Scottish Parliament, compered by comedian Liam Withnail with speakers including SNP MSP Ruth Macguire, Colin Smyth MSP for Scottish Labour and Scottish Green MSP, Alison Johnstone.
Robbie Marsland, Director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland said:
“Public support to really ban hunting in Scotland is overwhelming with the vast majority completely opposed to the outdated, primitive cruelty of this so-called sport.
“As a nation of animal lovers, we’re expecting a good turnout this weekend of people committed to marching for the foxes, and hope that this will send a clear message to the Scottish Government that hunting has no place in modern society. Action is urgently needed to improve the law, so we can consign hunting into the history books once and for all.”
OneKind Director Harry Huyton added:
“Foxes are intelligent, beautiful animals that are native to this country. Hunting them with dogs was meant to have been banned in Scotland 15 years ago and yet it appears to still continue today.
“It’s now time for the Scottish Government to listen to the public who are overwhelmingly in favour of a real ban. Please join us in Edinburgh on Saturday and march For the Foxes and against this cruel and outdated sport.”
Philip Mansbridge, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said:
“The barbaric practice of chasing or killing foxes with dogs for ‘fun’ was rightly outlawed in Scotland 15 years ago. However, despite huge public opposition to the cruelty of hunting, the current ban lacks teeth and is clearly being flouted. It is absolutely vital that the Scottish Government strengthens the current legislation to ensure we have a real ban which protects our wildlife.”
The march has the backing of several celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Chris Packham, Bill Oddie OBE and Peter Egan.
Chris Packham said:
“It is quite staggering that in this day and age we live in a country where people go out with the intention of terrorising wild animals by chasing them to the point of exhaustion and brutally killing them. Sadly, in Scotland the law has proven not to be sufficient to stop this horrific behaviour. I wholeheartedly support the League Against Cruel Sports and OneKind in their campaign calling on the Scottish Government to strengthen the law to make sure fox hunting is really banned in Scotland.”
The march will take place on Saturday 24th March on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, starting at St Giles Cathedral at 10.30am and ending at the Scottish Parliament.
Ends
Notes to editor
- March For the Foxes will leave from St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile, Edinburgh at 10.30am on Saturday 24th March, ending with a rally at the Scottish Parliament.
- The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain’s leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage sanctuaries to protect wildlife. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).
- OneKind exposes, challenges and ends cruelty to Scotland’s animals through campaigns, research & education.
- Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org
- Media enquiries to Louise Robertson on 07930 539832 / louise@messagematters.co.uk
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