The hunting ban forced through by Labour in 2005 now lies in tatters as "a judge suggested it was virtually impossible to bring a conviction against those accused of breaking the law." This is because
While the Hunting Act made it illegal to hunt with dogs, hounds can still be used to follow a fox's scent and to flush it out of its hiding place.
To remain within the law, huntsmen are required to shoot the fox as soon as possible once it has broken cover. However, crucially, the Act does not specify time or distance limits for how long the animal may be chased before it is shot.
Huntsmen argue that the line between what constitutes hunting and chasing the fox is unclear. (The Telegraph)
So, even despite Labour's attempt to ban fox hunting as part of their class war, they have failed due to their inability to properly define their law.To remain within the law, huntsmen are required to shoot the fox as soon as possible once it has broken cover. However, crucially, the Act does not specify time or distance limits for how long the animal may be chased before it is shot.
Huntsmen argue that the line between what constitutes hunting and chasing the fox is unclear. (The Telegraph)
They have failed on every level, neither have they actually made hunting illegal or reduced the number do hunt - in fact the very opposite. The Hunting Act has failed to save any cute little foxes or to stop toffs parading in red jackets.
Very simply, it is a rubbish law poorly executed and has failed as comprehensively as ASBOs have - neither have done what the government wanted, and in fact caused the exact opposite.
Source: The Telegraph
