A notorious fox hunt has been accused of rampaging through the Scottish countryside, terrorising foxes with a pack of hounds, despite a ban on the blood sport. The hunt allegedly took place in Renfrewshire last Saturday, with huntsmen pursuing foxes using bloodhounds under the guise of an official NatureScot fox control licence. This incident has sparked outrage among campaigners, who claim that Scotland’s new ban on fox hunting, which came into effect in October 2023, is being flouted.
The Glasgow Hunt Saboteurs captured footage showing what they described as “multiple hunting offences” committed by members of the Lauderdale Hunt, including a pack of dogs chasing a frightened fox across open countryside. The new legislation allows for the use of packs of dogs in certain circumstances, such as protecting livestock, but with strict guidelines to prevent animal cruelty. Critics have raised concerns about loopholes that could be exploited by huntsmen, as seen in this incident.
Last year, it was revealed that over 40 licences had been issued in the first six months of the ban, with minimal monitoring for compliance. The Lauderdale Hunt, known for obtaining one of these licences, reportedly travelled to Renfrewshire over 100 miles away for the hunt. The Glasgow Hunt Saboteurs claimed that the hunt did not comply with the licence conditions, as no shooters were present to dispatch foxes once they were flushed out, as required by law.
The group also alleged that NatureScot, responsible for monitoring compliance with the ban, gives prior notice before inspections, allowing hunts to evade scrutiny. The footage showed huntsmen disregarding calls to recall the hounds once they chased the fox into the woods. This incident has been reported to Police Scotland and NatureScot, with calls for prosecutions and licence revocations for those involved.
Anti-blood sports groups have condemned the actions of the Lauderdale Hunt, and the League Against Cruel Sports director for Scotland and Northern Ireland emphasised the seriousness of any law-breaking. Hunt Saboteurs Association representatives have called for stricter regulations or a complete ban on hunting with dogs to prevent further incidents like this from occurring.
Since the ban on hunting with dogs, the Lauderdale Hunt claims to have shifted towards “clean boot hunts” where bloodhounds chase human runners instead of foxes. However, concerns remain about the effectiveness of the current regulations to prevent illegal hunting practices. Police Scotland and NatureScot are conducting investigations into the Renfrewshire incident, while activists continue to monitor hunts to ensure compliance with the law.