League Against Cruel Sports welcomes charges in Scottish Borders hunting case
By Mike Nicholas
Posted 15th May 2025
The League Against Cruel Sports Scotland has today welcomed news that a 30-year-old man has been charged in connection with wildlife offences under the Hunting with Dogs Scotland Act.
The charges follow an investigation that included video evidence gathered by League Against Cruel Sports field investigators.
Robbie Marsland, Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland for the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "We are greatly encouraged to see Police Scotland taking action based on evidence gathered by our field investigators. These charges confirm the concerns highlighted in our recent end-of-season report, which documented multiple instances of suspected illegal fox hunting activity across Scotland during 2024/25 season.
"We commend Police Scotland for their diligent investigation and their commitment to tackling wildlife crime. The League will continue working closely with Police Scotland and other agencies to ensure that Scotland's fox hunting laws are properly enforced."
The Scottish Parliament introduced new hunting laws two years ago in a bid to close many of the loopholes that allowed hunting with hounds to continue unchecked.
The UK government is due to consult later this year on trail hunting, whereby hunts claim to follow a pre-laid animal scent trail, which has been described by the police and courts as a smokescreen for illegal hunting.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The consultation to ban trail hunting taking place later this year is welcome, but also needs to tackle the exemptions in the Hunting Act that are being exploited by hunts, and introduce a proper deterrent in the form of custodial sentences for those that break the law.
“Lessons should be learned from Scotland where attempts to properly end hunting are being made.”
Ends
Notes to editors
The League Against Cruel Sports recently published its second annual report on fox hunting in Scotland since the introduction of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023, highlighting ongoing concerns about compliance with the legislation. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the following link league_scotland_stats_report_a4_v1.pdf
For information or interview requests, please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524280 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk
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. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).
