Leading animal welfare charity welcomes consultation for protection of Scotland’s wild animals
Posted 24th June 2019
The League Against Cruel Sports Scotland has welcomed a public consultation on a proposed Bill aiming to really ban fox hunting in Scotland.
The Bill to improve the protection and conservation of wild mammals has been proposed by Alison Johnstone MSP and includes measures to end the use of dogs in the hunting of wild mammals and improve legal protection for certain species.
Robbie Marsland, Director of the League Against Cruel Sports, Scotland said: “We wholeheartedly welcome Alison Johnstone’s Bill and the implications this would have on fox hunting in Scotland.
“The League has been campaigning for many years for the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 to be strengthened to really ban hunting. This Bill will compliment legislative commitments from the Scottish Government as well as going further to afford improved protection to other wild species, including mountain hares.”
The Bill proposes to amend the current hunting law to end the use of dogs as a tool to kill any wild mammal with the exception of rabbits and rodents.
The Scottish Government announced in January this year it would also bring forward a Bill to close loopholes in the existing fox hunting legislation.
Robbie Marsland added: “The launch of Ms Johnstone’s Bill on top of commitments from the Government to legislate for fox hunting is the culmination of many years of campaigning to show that the current law is not fit for purpose. We are delighted to be working with the Greens and the Government to tighten up the law and really ban hunting in Scotland.
“For fox hunting to be so prominent on the political agenda with a clear will from within Government and Parliament to end the cruelty of hunting is a fantastic result for the League. This is testament to our campaign, other like minded organisations and our supporters who have worked hard to keep this issue in the public eye. We are confident that hunting as we know it will soon be a thing of the past.”
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Notes to editor
- The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage sanctuaries to protect wildlife. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).
- Media enquiries to Louise Robertson on 07930 539832 / louise@messagematters.co.uk