Every year in the UK from September to March, over 200 foxhunts kill about 20,000 foxes for sport. Whereas you or I might watch a football match or go for a swim, these people "enjoy" themselves by chasing and killing foxes.In Scotland there are approximately 10 hunts. The new Scottish Parliament has the power to ban hunting with hounds and Glasgow Cathcart MSP Mike Watson has launched a Private Members Bill to attempt to do just that. The Bill will have its first reading in the Scottish Parliament at the beginning of September. A MORI survey of MSPs revealed that 71% would legislate to ban hunting and that 15% were committed to retaining it.
The new bill, if it becomes law, would outlaw hunts, mounted or otherwise, which employ dogs to pursue, attack and kill wild mammals. It would also outlaw harecoursing and the use of terrier dogs to attack wild mammals underground.
"Brutal, barbaric and abusive forms of cruelty have no place in Scotland in the 21st Century" - Mike Watson.For more information of the issues surrounding hunting and for details on how you can help the bill to become law - e.g. writing to your MSP asking them to support it - please contact Advocates for Animals or Edinburgh Animal Rights.
For the last 18 years Edinburgh Hunt Saboteurs have been using non violent direct action to disrupt the activities of hunts to ensure that they do not achieve a kill. Saboteurs use the hunters' own tactics, by using hunting horns and voice calls to direct hounds away from the hunted animal. If you would like to join them please contact them at ACE.
Contact details for the above named groups are listed on page 5 of this newsletter.