What is burrow hunting and why is it controversial?

From an animal welfare perspective, hunting in burrows is one of the most controversial hunting methods in Switzerland: A legal opinion commissioned by the Swiss Animal Protection Association (STS) states that the method, due to its systemic nature, can constitute animal cruelty – not through individual violations, but through the method itself.

How does hunting in a burrow work in detail?

The hunting of animals in their dens generally proceeds as follows: The recreational hunter locates an active fox or badger den, usually by tracking or with the help of a terrier. A terrier is then introduced into the den. It follows the scent of the animal through the narrow, often branching tunnels of the underground burrow. Inside the den, a direct confrontation occurs: The dog corners the animal and tries to drive it towards the exit or trap it in a dead end. The animal either flees outside – where it is shot – or remains in the den while the recreational hunter excavates it.

Underground, in narrow tunnels with no escape route, situations of extreme fear and panic arise for the wild animal. The badger, a territorial species that has often inhabited its sett for generations, experiences badger hunting as an extreme intrusion into its only safe haven. For hunting dogs, badger hunting also poses considerable risks: bites and scratches, trapped limbs, and disorientation underground are not uncommon.

Which dog breeds are used for hunting in burrows?

Earth dogs are specific breeds bred and trained to be small enough to fit into narrow construction tunnels, yet brave enough to confront wildlife underground. The most common breeds are:

• Dachshund: The breed that gives the name to the German Dachshund. Historically, the Dachshund was specifically bred for hunting in burrows. Different sizes (standard, miniature, rabbit Dachshund) allow for different burrow widths.
• Fox Terrier: A robust, courageous breed traditionally used for hunting in burrows.
• Hunting Terrier (German Hunting Terrier): A specialized breed developed in Germany for hunting in burrows.
• Other terrier breeds: Various British terrier breeds (Cairn, Lakeland, etc.) which are also trained for burrow hunting.

Animal welfare organizations criticize not only the fate of wild animals during burrow hunting, but also that of the dogs: Terriers are trained and conditioned for a task that puts them under extreme biological and psychological stress. Injuries from bites and scratches are typical for burrow hunting dogs. More on hunting dogs can be found in the dossier on hunting dogs – use, suffering, and animal welfare .

The STS report: Systemic animal cruelty

The Swiss Animal Protection Association (STS) commissioned a legal opinion on hunting animals in their burrows. The opinion concludes that, from an animal welfare perspective, hunting animals in their burrows can constitute animal cruelty on multiple occasions. The crucial point: the suffering arises not from individual violations or negligence, but from the method itself.

Specifically, the following aspects are cited as problematic from an animal welfare perspective: extreme stress and panic – the wild animal is trapped in the burrow and cannot escape; risk of injury to the wild animal from bites and scratches; destruction of habitat – badger and fox dens that are dug up during burrow hunting are often elaborately constructed burrows that have served generations; prolonged stress – burrow hunts can last for hours. The STS report is one of the few independent legal analyses of burrow hunting in Switzerland. More on the topic of hunting and animal welfare can be found in our dossier.

Animal training facilities: Wild animals as training equipment

Closely related to hunting in burrows are the so-called "baiting facilities." These are artificially constructed underground tunnel systems in which live foxes or badgers are kept so that terriers can be "trained" on them. The wild animal is in a situation from which it cannot escape and must endure repeated encounters with dogs.

From an animal welfare perspective, artificial hunting facilities are even more problematic than hunting in burrows themselves, because no hunting purpose is pursued – the wild animal is used solely as a "training tool" without being killed afterward. The Swiss Animal Protection Association (STS) has classified artificial hunting facilities as a particularly severe form of animal cruelty. Animal welfare organizations are calling for a nationwide ban on all artificial hunting facilities without exception.

Canton-by-canton ban status: Where hunting in burrows is already prohibited

The status of hunting in burrows at the cantonal level has changed significantly in recent years. Zurich has banned hunting in burrows since January 1, 2023. Bern introduced a near-total ban with limited exceptions in 2024. Vaud banned hunting in burrows on December 15, 2021. Thurgau has severely restricted it since 2017. Basel-Landschaft only permits it with a permit. In the remaining cantons, hunting in burrows is still permitted (as of 2025).

The patchwork of regulations at the cantonal level shows that the issue of hunting in burrows finds political support for a ban as soon as it is discussed concretely and publicly – as the bans in Zurich, Bern, and Vaud demonstrate. The problem: The hunting lobby fights every cantonal ban with considerable effort and uses federal structures to prevent a nationwide ban.

Motion 23.3303: The parliamentary concern

At the federal level, motion 23.3303, "Ban on cruel hunting in burrows," is pending. The motion calls for a nationwide ban on hunting in burrows at the federal level, which would replace the current patchwork of cantonal regulations. The debate in parliament is politically contentious: hunting associations are lobbying intensively against it, while animal welfare organizations support the motion.

A nationwide ban would be important from a hunting critic's perspective because it would prevent recreational hunters from simply moving from cantons where the practice is prohibited to cantons where it is permitted. Currently, this is exactly what's possible: someone who is no longer allowed to practice hunting in burrows in Zurich can simply go to a neighboring canton where it is still allowed.

Injury risks in detail

Hunting in burrows poses significant risks of injury to the wild animal (fox or badger): bite wounds from the dog; scratches and abrasions during escape attempts in narrow tunnels; injuries from excavation work; extreme psychological stress with massive cortisol release; risk of poisoning if tunnel gases accumulate; death from exhaustion if the wild animal remains trapped in the burrow for days.

The following risks exist for hunting dogs: bite wounds from foxes and badgers (badgers have particularly strong jaws); being trapped in a burrow if it collapses or if they get lost; overheating in narrow, poorly ventilated tunnels; psychological trauma from particularly intense confrontations; chronic injuries resulting from regular use. More information on the situation of hunting dogs can be found in the dossier on hunting dogs .

International comparisons: How other countries deal with hunting in burrows

Switzerland is one of the last countries in Western Europe to still permit fox hunting in its burrow – at least in some cantons. In international comparison, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden have banned or severely restricted fox hunting in their burrows. In Great Britain, fox hunting (hunting foxes on horseback) was banned in 2004; the use of terriers in burrows is severely restricted in England and Wales. In Germany, fox hunting in its burrows is legal, but is increasingly opposed by animal welfare organizations.

The trend in Europe is clear: More and more countries are restricting or banning hunting in burrows. Switzerland is moving in this direction, but slowly – and only where cantonal majorities can overcome the political pressure from the hunting lobby.

The "tradition" argument: A weak argument

Proponents of hunting animals in their dens often argue in favor of "tradition" and "cultural heritage." This argument is problematic for several reasons: Tradition is no justification for animal cruelty. Bear hunting, cockfighting, and other historical practices were also "traditions"—they were banned because they are incompatible with modern animal welfare laws.

Furthermore, the hunting lobby selectively uses the term "tradition": New technologies such as thermal imaging cameras and night vision equipment are adopted without hesitation, while old methods are defended as "tradition" when they come under pressure. More on this in the dossier on night hunting and high-tech hunting .

What animal welfare organizations are demanding

The demands of animal welfare organizations regarding hunting in burrows are clear: a nationwide ban on hunting in burrows without exceptions at the federal level; a ban on all artificial burrows; transparency obligations for authorities in cantons that still permit hunting in burrows; and consistent prosecution of violations of existing bans. At the cantonal level, animal welfare organizations in Zurich, Bern, and Vaud have already achieved successes. The next step is a federal ban.

Conclusion: Hunting in burrows has no place in a modern animal welfare society.

Hunting in burrows causes suffering by its very nature – both for wild animals and for dogs. It serves no ecological purpose that cannot be achieved by other means. It is already banned in several Swiss cantons and is rejected by the overwhelming majority of the population. What keeps it alive is the political power of the hunting lobby and Switzerland's federal structure, which allows it to prevent nationwide bans. A federal ban on hunting in burrows, as proposed by Motion 23.3303, would be a long overdue step.

Further content can be found at wildbeimwild.com:

• Dossier: Hunting in a Burrow
• Dossier: Hunting dogs – deployment, suffering and animal welfare
• Dossier: Hunting and Animal Welfare
• Dossier: Why animal welfare law ends at the forest edge
• Dossier: Hunting laws and control

You can find more background information on current hunting policy in Switzerland in our dossier on wildbeimwild.com .