Boxing Day: The Brutality of Fox Hunting in England

New figures published today reveal both the scale of the fox hunting that is still taking place, as well as the devastation that recreational hunting brings to people and communities in England.

200 Boxing Day parades

Boxing Day (26 December) is considered the most important day in the British hunting calendar. Around 200 parades are expected nationwide, followed by drag hunts, in which hounds chase an artificial scent trail. Hunting live foxes has been banned in England and Wales since 2005, and in Scotland for slightly longer.

Animal welfare advocates accuse the hobby hunters, however, of misusing “trail hunts” to pursue live animals under the guise of legality. They also criticize the fact that even when hunting artificial trails, hounds are frequently distracted by the scent of live animals and then chase after them.

303 cases in just 5 weeks

Figures compiled by the national animal welfare organisation League Against Cruel Sports show that in just five and a half weeks between 1 November and 7 December 2022, 303 cases of allegedly illegal recreational hunting or hunt-related disruption were reported.

According to the League, the figures demonstrate the negative impact of recreational hunting on wildlife, rural communities, people’s lives and their livelihoods.

Emma Judd, Head of Campaigns and Communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “People see the hunts today and do not realise that behind the attractive facade lies a so-called sport in which human lives are endangered on roads and railways, livestock is frightened by out-of-control hounds, and in some cases pets are also killed.”

«The figures we publish today demonstrate the negative impacts of hobby hunting on rural communities and clearly show that it is time for change. Only by strengthening hunting laws can communities, wildlife and rural values be protected.»

Figures on violations

The figures break down into 95 reports of allegedly illegal hobby hunting despite the ban on fox hunting, 78 reports of visibly pursued foxes, with eight killings reported and three suspected killings.

There were 208 cases of hunting disturbances in which hobby hunters and their hounds marauded on roads and railways, disturbed livestock, chased pets, intimidated people and caused the public psychological distress.

The reports concerned 71 different fox hunts across 37 counties.

The counties with the highest overall number of alleged illegal hunts and hunting disturbances were Dorset (39), Yorkshire (30), Somerset (22), Warwickshire (21) and Gloucestershire (19).

The worst offenders were the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt on the Somerset-Dorset border, the Warwickshire Hunt and the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt in Gloucestershire.

Polls commissioned by the League and conducted independently by Find Out Now and Electoral Calculus across Great Britain found that more than three quarters of voters (78%) support strengthening hunting laws, and more than half (55%) would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports tougher legislation.

Rural voters across Great Britain also expressed support for strengthening the Hunting Act 2004 (76%), with 54% saying they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports tougher measures.

Emma added: «The bloodthirsty and disgraceful sport of fox hunting is massively unpopular with the British public, who want hunting laws strengthened, and it is time for the government to align itself with public opinion.»