Vinny the Fox Cub enters election for a ‘cruelty free future’

A seven week old fox cub has launched an audacious election campaign to encourage political candidates to join him in calling for a ‘cruelty free future’.

Vinny the Fox Cub was today joined by Downton Abbey star Peter Egan, Britpop icon Meg Matthews and supporters from the League Against Cruel Sports to launch a Battle Bus tour of Great Britain.

Vinny, who will be standing in the constituency of Wildlife Den West*, told supporters:

“Peoples seem to be making a mess of things so I thought I should stand up and be counted. As a fox, it’s never that safe to stand up and be counted, but us animals need to do something before it’s too late.

“I’ll be going on the campaign tail to ask all the peoples and human candidates if they agree there should be a cruelty free future for animals. I wouldn’t have thought many would disagree with that, but my mum says unfortunately I’m wrong.”

Vinny has three key policies and will be asking election candidates from all parties if they will:

• Reject any weakening of the ban on hunting
• Support an increase in the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences to five years imprisonment
• Support the creation of a register of convicted animal abusers to ensure that banning orders are enforceable

Eduardo Goncalves, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports which is supporting Vinny’s campaign, said:

“Britain is meant to be a nation of animal lovers but right now a lot of animals are feeling unloved. There are moves to legalise the hunting of foxes, deer and hares, over ten years after the nation recognised that it is nothing but a cruel sport. Dog fighting is happening right here on our streets; and those people who inflict cruelty on animals get barely a slap on the wrist.

“No wonder Vinny wants to take the case of animals to the British public. As humans, we should be judged on how we treat animals. In some cases and in certain places, we should be judged poorly.”

The League Against Cruel Sports has issued an Election Minifesto which includes commitments on a range of animal welfare issues, including hunting, dog fighting, ‘gamebird’ shooting and trophy hunting.

The full manifesto can be seen on the League Against Cruel Sports Election page

Vinny the Fox Cub’s Battle Bus will be stopping in London, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Gateshead and Edinburgh. Full details can be found on the Votes for Vinny website.  

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For more information please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 (24hrs) or email

Notes to Editors

*      Wildlife Den West is not a real constituency. Vinny is not actually standing as a candidate. The campaign is aimed at raising the issue of animal cruelty among the British public and political candidates of all parties. While Vinny is a real fox cub, he will not be taking any part in the campaign, however a human-sized Vinny will accompany the bus.