Reports of illegal hunting are on the rise as the hunting world prepares for tighter restrictions

Press release, embargoed until 22:30 on 21/12/25

Reports of suspected illegal fox hunting have increased across the board ahead of a government consultation on controversial ‘trail’ hunting, leading national wildlife charity the League Against Cruel Sports has revealed.

As hunts get ready for the biggest ceremonial hunting day in their calendar on Boxing Day, the League can reveal that the numbers of foxes seen being chased, reports of havoc caused in rural communities, trespass, and other behaviour pointing to old fashioned illegal hunting have all increased.

The figures have been published to coincide with the launch of the government’s animal welfare strategy today, in which it confirms the process to ban trail hunting will begin in the new year, plus a raft of other provisions for wild, farmed and domestic animals.

Emma Slawinski, the League’s CEO, said: “It has been 20 years since hunting wild mammals with dogs was banned in England and Wales and, while we applaud the government’s commitment to consult on trail hunting, ministers need to go further and close the many loopholes in the law that make prosecuting illegal hunting so difficult for the police and courts – to properly end hunting for good.”

The figures reveal:

• 601 instances of hunt havoc (3% increase from the same period last season)
• 264 reports relating to suspected illegal hunting (16% increase)
• 211 foxes reported to have been pursued (10% increase)
• 82 reports of trespass
• 140 reports of road interference

Data has been collected throughout the cub hunting season, which begins on or about August 1, and the first six week of the fox hunting season from reports into the League’s Animal Crimewatch service, the League’s professional investigators, and other monitor and saboteur groups in the field.

Hunt havoc includes incidents where hounds ran amok on roads; causing road traffic accidents; trespass; livestock worrying; and attacks on pet cats or dogs; badger setts being damaged to prevent foxes escaping; distress being caused to the public; and other wildlife such as deer being chased.

Emma added: “If hunts were following trails, as they claim, they would not be trespassing, causing collisions on roads, worrying livestock and essentially being in places they shouldn’t be.

“By outlawing trail hunting they will no longer be able to claim in court that that is what they were doing. Instead when they chase and kill a wild mammal, as reports suggest they do, they will be held accountable.

“These figures are just the tip of the iceberg as they don’t show the cruelty being inflicted on foxes in remote rural areas away from the public gaze, and it’s time for change.”

The government’s animal welfare strategy also includes a ban on snaring, and a close season for shooting hares.

Emma said: “We're pleased to see protections for wild animals included in the government's new animal welfare strategy, including hares, which are also persecuted by hunts. The government seems to understand it's time for change, and we are looking forward to working with them on safeguarding wild animal welfare even further.”

She further welcomed the new that snares will be banned. Defra figures say some 20,000 snares are left lying around the countryside at any one time.

She said: “The bans already in place in Wales and Scotland marked a pivotal step in acknowledging the unnecessary suffering caused by these indiscriminate and cruel devices, so the government’s announcement that it will implement a ban on the use of snares in England is very welcome indeed.

“Snares pose a constant danger in the countryside, and not just for the animals these traps are laid to catch. The League has compiled case studies over many years where animals such as badgers, hares, and even pet dogs and cats have been caught and killed by snares, often discovered by members of the public left horrified by what they have seen.

“These traps are blunt instruments of cruelty, often used for no other reason than to protect millions of game birds which are later shot just for fun, and have no place in a country committed to taking a progressive approach to animal welfare. We commend the government for taking robust steps to ensure we will become such a country by outlawing snares.”

Ends

Notes to editors

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk.

A further breakdown of the fox hunting figures is available on request.

Data has been collected throughout the cub hunting season and the first six week of the fox hunting season from reports into the League’s Animal Crimewatch service and other monitors.

Cub hunting takes place in autumn and is how hunts train their hounds to kill foxes by targeting fox cubs, in preparation for the main fox hunting season.

Fox hunting was banned in England and Wales when the Hunting Act came into force on February 18, 2005, three months after it gained Royal Assent on November 18, 2004.

Trail hunting was invented after the Hunting Act was introduced, and has been described by Chief Superintendent Matt Longman, the most senior police officer in England and Wales with responsibility for fox hunting crime, as a “smokescreen for illegal fox hunting”. He has also described illegal hunting as “prolific”.

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 2004 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. 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 wildlife reserves to protect animals. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).