Scottish Government must close loopholes in hunting ban
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The Scottish Government must take action to stop hunters and estates from exploiting loopholes that have allowed hunting with packs of dogs to continue, say the Scottish Greens.
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.
New data published by the Scottish Government has shown that the first hunting season covered by the Act saw 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.
At the time the Act was introduced, the Scottish Greens rural affairs spokesperson, Ariane Burgess MSP, and campaigners from the League Against Cruel Sports, warned that the system created by the Act would lead to new loopholes and allow large scale hunts to continue.
Ms Burgess said: "This is very concerning. A lot of us warned that the licensing system was a mistake and that it would simply create new loopholes. The government insisted otherwise, but that is exactly what has happened.
"These figures show the shocking and widespread exploitation of the system by hunters and estate owners who know exactly what they are doing. If we are to have the outright ban that the public supports then we need action to close the loopholes and end the cruelty.
"Hunting with dogs is an inhumane and totally unnecessary practice that belongs firmly in the past. There is absolutely no justification for using a pack of dogs to kill defenceless animals. It has no place in a modern and compassionate Scotland.
“I urge the Scottish Government to urgently reflect on these findings and to act to ensure that the loopholes are closed and that this cruelty is finally stopped.”