Keep the ban alive

Uphold the laws that ban hunting with dogs

 In 2004 (and 2002 in Scotland) our legislators voted to end the suffering of foxes, hares and rabbits that were hunted for sport. OneKind wants to see these laws upheld and enforced.

Yet the Hunting Act 2004, which covers England and Wales, is now under threat. Following a Conservative manifesto pledge to repeal the Act, the coalition UK Government has said that it will bring a motion to that effect in the House of Commons. It is essential that the majority of Members of Parliament vote to keep fox-hunting where it belongs – in the history books.

The problem

In the days when hunting was legal in the UK, a fox, hare, deer or mink could be flushed into the open by a pack of dogs, chased across the countryside for twenty minutes or more until, exhausted, it was killed by the pack. The chase would be followed by a field of huntsmen on horseback. If the motion on the Hunting Act is successful, it would pave the way for a repeal of the Act, meaning our country could return to the days when chasing and killing a sentient mammal for sport is legal once again. 

The solution

We need to preserve the Hunting Act and show that it is working:  to date over 130 people have been successfully prosecuted under this law, significantly more than under other pieces of similar wildlife legislation. The Act has not led to job losses nor damaged the fabric of rural society – in fact the numbers of regular riders and spectators have grown since 2005. Trail or drag hunting can allow people to enjoy the social side of hunting, and the exercise, without harming animals.  But the right principle prevails: that it is illegal to set a pack of dogs to chase and kill a sentient wild mammal.

How we will achieve it

The British public’s support for the hunting ban is overwhelming: 75% say they want the fox hunting ban to remain, 84% want deer hunting to stay illegal and 85% want hare coursing and hunting to remain illegal. The same polling shows majority support for the ban across party political boundaries and in rural communities.

With the help of this inspired movement of compassionate people, we aim to ensure that the political vote, if and when it comes, will reflect the views of the nation and allow us to move on from this outdated sport once and for all.

How you can help

Please register your OneKind profile then we will let you know when the time is to act. Thank you for making a difference.