The RSPCA believes that hunting wild mammals with dogs is cruel and unnecessary and should remain consigned to the history books.
The coalition government has committed [1] to allowing a free vote in the House of Commons on a motion to express its view on repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. This means the ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs could be under threat.
Hunting with dogs was consigned to the history books when the Hunting Act was passed in 2004, because the majority of the public (and MPs) found it abhorrent. Those calling for repeal are effectively calling for a return to cruelty.
The RSPCA is working with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the League Against Cruel Sports (the League) to encourage politicians from across the political spectrum to ensure the Act remains in force. We believe that repeal would be a barbaric and backward step for a civilised society.
The public has consistently opposed the cruelty and unnecessary chasing and killing of foxes, deer, hare and mink by dogs, and does not want any return to killing for fun. The most recent poll [2], conducted for the League Against Cruel Sports in December 2010, shows that 76% of people asked support the ban on foxhunting, 84% think the ban on deer hunting should stay in place, and 84% say hare coursing and hunting should remain illegal.
Furthermore the RSPCA believes that with 184 people so far successfully prosecuted under the Act the law is enforceable. In fact the number of prosecutions compares very favourably with other wildlife legislation.
For further information about this issue, please take a look at the attached briefings.
Hunting Act 2004 briefing (Dec 2011)