We must be vigilant in ensuring that hunters are not exploiting loopholes for Boxing Day hunts, says Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess.
Since the Hunting With Dogs (Scotland) Act came into effect last year there have been widespread allegations of hunters testing the limits of the legislation and exploiting loopholes to continue with business as usual.
Ms Burgess said:
“I am proud that Scotland has the most robust laws on hunting with dogs in the UK to protect our wildlife, but that does not mean that these laws are foolproof or that they are always being followed by all.
“Until now Boxing Day has been a traditional day for hunts, and it will be a true test of how robust our laws are and how well they are being followed.
“Last year there were reports of groups continuing with this bloody and cruel tradition.
“It is vital that we ensure the ban is honoured and that we learn from any shortcomings in the legislation.
“Hunting with dogs is brutal and outdated.
“It has no place in a progressive Scotland and we should be proud of the steps that have been taken to outlaw this awful practice.”
The Hunting With Dogs Act, which was introduced last year, imposed a two-dog pack limit for hunts.
However, it also included a provision for NatureScot to issue licences for using more than two dogs to control wild mammals when there is no other solution available.
Data published by the Scottish Government has shown that over the first hunting season covered by the Act there were at least 41 licences issued to allow the use of packs of dogs, with 75% of those licences permitting the use of packs of 20 or more dogs.
Ms Burgess added:
“We must look at the loopholes that are effectively allowing hunting with dogs to continue and find ways to close them for good.
“That starts with ensuring that the laws we do have are properly enforced.”
