Authoring and delivering a final ban on hunting with hounds.
The New Hunting Ban has been formed to consult with experts and stakeholders to determine the most suitable legislative changes to deliver a full ban on hunting foxes, hares, deer and other wildlife with dogs.
The Hunting Act 2004 - popularly known as the Hunting Ban, or the ban on fox hunting - has been bypassed by hunts. Twenty years later, we are committed to deliver on what it intended.
Since The Hunting Act 2004, hunting has continued unabated.
It’s time for The New Hunting Ban.
Our Commitments.
Informed by consultation with experts and stakeholders,
The New Hunting Ban will be the Gold Standard in legislation.
A watertight ban on hunting with hounds.
A watertight ban on hunting with hounds in England and Wales is needed to deliver on the promises of the 2004 Hunting Act.
Strengthening the ban will improve animal welfare, enhance legal clarity, and ensure that those who engage in illegal hunting are held accountable.
In all areas of England and Wales, the public overwhelmingly support this cause. We will deliver The New Hunting Ban that they want.
Mechanisms for effective enforcement.
A misconception of current legislation is that fox hunts act out ‘trail hunting’ to avoid scrutiny. In actuality, hunts rarely behave like they aren’t hunting, and rely on speed, relative remoteness, and confusion about the legality of their actions to continue hunting as they always have.
While monitors of hunts have been praised by police for their vigilance and evidence-gathering, no law should be reliant upon volunteers to be enforced.
We will ensure that The New Hunting Ban is effective and enforceable.
Protections for ex-hunting dogs.
Hunting hounds are just dogs.
Like our pet dogs, they deserve care and safety, but currently their lives are brutal, painful, and short. Any effective legislation to end hunting with hounds will render thousands of them surplus to the requirements of the hunts.
Foxhounds have been proven to be adoptable family pets. We will ensure that they’re protected in the aftermath of The New Hunting Ban.
What you can do to help.
Join our mailing list to hear about our progress and sign up for our upcoming consultations and events.
If hunting with hounds or a related issue is your area of expertise, please apply to join our Advisory Board.
“Let the hunter reach the fox
before the hounds get at it
and hold it in his/her arms
and read from its dying eyes,
‘why have you taken my life?’
‘For fun’ is their answer.”
— Ronald Blythe