Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Tuesday 12th January 2021

The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs except under the exemptions in the Act. Those found guilty under the Act are subject to the full force of the law.

The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs except where it is carried out in accordance with the exemptions in the Act. The full details of the Hunting Act 2004 exemptions are available online at:
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/37/schedule/1.

Those found guilty under the Act are subject to the full force of the law. Enforcement of the Hunting Act is an operational matter for the police.
This Government will not amend the Hunting Act.
If dogs used for trail hunting pick up and follow the scent of live foxes during a trail hunt, it is the responsibility of the hunt staff to control their hounds, and to stop the hounds as soon as they are made aware that the hounds are no longer following the trail that has been laid.

Failure to prevent dogs from chasing or killing a fox may be taken as intent to break the law. Anyone who believes that an offence has taken place should report the matter to the police, as the police deal with complaints of illegal hunting. Decisions on the arrest and prosecution of those taking part in illegal hunting activities are matters for the police and prosecuting authorities.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs