Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone has put forward a proposal for a bill to close loopholes in current regulation that allow fox hunting in Scotland, and also stop the mass slaughter of hares in the country.
Although the hunting of foxes with dogs was banned in Scotland in 2002, the cruel “sport” still continues, and the brutal culling of hares is also a routine practice across the country.
The proposed bill is designed to strengthen laws to protect foxes, mountain hares and brown hares, and “properly ban the hunting of wild mammals with dogs in Scotland.”
“You would be forgiven for thinking fox hunting was banned in Scotland. After all, MSPs voted to ban it in 2002,” writes Johnstone in an opinion piece in The Herald. “Before the ‘ban’ there were 10 hunts operating throughout Scotland. There are still 10 hunts. Hundreds of foxes are killed every year by mounted hunts, and many are killed by the dogs. Terriers are even sent underground to chase foxes out of their holes and to kill orphaned pups.”
“However, it is now widely recognized that the act failed to stop fox hunting,” she adds. “Seventeen years after it was passed, it’s time to rectify this failure.”
The proposed bill was drawn up following the release of a video earlier this year showing landowners killing mountain hares en masse in the Cairngorms National Park. It is estimated that an average of 26,000 hares are hunted down and killed every year.
In a video on YouTube, Johnstone explains her position and invites views from the public, who can respond through an official online survey.
CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS MUST be TAKEN SERIOUSLY – it is CLEAR the PSYCHO-HUNTERS have NO RESPECT for Animals NOR the LAW — do NOT let these criminals get away with their horrific murders — they will repeat their brutality unless we STOP them — what KIND of society do we want — PUNISHMENTS & PENALTIES MUST BE SEVERE —- We NEVER want repeats of these crimes —— we MUST PROTECT our foxes and hares — our delicate eco-system NEEDS them.
It is time these Killers respected Animals and the Law —- you can pass all the laws you wish — you MUST ENFORCE these Laws — otherwise, the MONSTER-KILLERS will continue with their horrors against Animals, as they’ve been doing — punishments and penalties MUST be SEVERE.
Tous les pays devaient suivre cet exemple
This would, indeed, be a welcome measure. However, it should always be remembered that the self-styled “Green” Party is an EU Fundamentalist and Single Marketeer party. As such, it is a passionate supporter of the vile and disgusting trade in the export of live animals. This trade cannot be stopped if the UK remains in the EU since to do so would break the rules of the Single Market, which require the free movement of “goods”. Moreover, it also enthusiastically supports the brutal, barbaric practice of the ritual slaughter of gentle, sentient animals, a practice which has no place whatsoever in any self-styled “progressive” society in the 21st century.
One must, therefore, suspect that this individual possesses more of a penchant for virtue signalling as opposed to any genuine passionate opposition to the exploitation of all animals.
Please stop this outdated and barbaric practice.
Finally someone has come to their senses. Let’s get this bill in force ASAP. Thank you Alison Johnstone on behalf of all the foxes and hares. I applaud your coming forward with such a kind & heartfull thought for all these innocent animals.
Take care
There’s no need for this sport to continue in this day and age. Your foxes and hares will soon become extinct if this persists. Please let the animals be.
Well HOORAY for Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone to put forth such a Bill as to ENFORCE the BAN on fox hunting, a cruel, cruel “sport” done so by blood thirsty idiots with too much time on their hands. And for putting forth such a Bill as to stop the murderous slaughter of hares/rabbits. These animals are terrified, confused, chased until they have no energy left. HOORAY Ms. Johnstone! Keep up the good work for animals. They can’t speak for themselves. They can’t help themselves. But we can be their voice & their help!
The mountain hare, population has been decimated by hunting. Some of the hunting is supposed to clear the area of ticks that attack grouse, in order to keep plenty of ‘healthy’ grouse available for killing for entertainment purposes. Tick-borne infections are at epidemic levels for all animals, including humans, in Scotland, but researching how many ticks are around, which types, and the range of infections they carry is being overlooked, as is the accurate diagnosis and treatment by the NHS of tick-borne infections. It’s a very odd situation and one that needs to be properly addressed.
Yes, Ban all hunting on foxes and hares. It is cruel. Thank You
The law needs to be most strict so that no more loopholes are found, and so that no reviews in the future will be necessary.
EVERYONE needs to know the consequences of any breaking of the law. Killing foxes, what does that achieve? Nothing. Neither does the killing of hares. ANYONE can enjoy the countryside without harming any animals.
One final point. If anyone agrees with, or participates in hunts because these animals are ‘pests’, hear my words –
No fox or hare has destroyed woodland, farmland, open fields and meadows to inhabit them.
No fox or hare hunts down anything as so called ‘sport’. They need to survive while humans can live without meat or fish (I eat neither).
No fox or hare has polluted the environment with various forms of transportation or businesses which pollute rivers, streams, the air and the ozone layer.
No fox or hare will ever be caught and imprisoned for murder.
No fox or hare has ever gone out of its way to harm a human and if left alone will thrive and live a happy life.
No fox or hare brainwashes the public into hunting to be superior and boastful and influence many others to murder.
Get the point? I apply that to all other animals, insects, aquatic life or anything else that God has created, except humans.
COMMENT
Cruelty needs to STOP!
Why isn’t all this stopped the world over?!!! Well done to Scotland. Good luck.
Thank you for proposing the stopping of the killing of rabbits and foxes. In
Don’t do this to innocent animals & pets !!!
A demented activity.
There are no words
ANY hunting of ANY animal should be illegal worldwide. We need to respect the planet and all it’s precious creatures.
Finally someone with some sense. Please ban this barbaric fox hunt and hare hunts forever. These animals have a right to life and respect.
STOP THIS NEEDLESS KILLING OF GOD’S CREATURES……THERE IS NO REASON THESE PRECIOUS, INNOCENT ANIMALS SHOULD BE SACRIFICED FOR “ENTERTAINMENT” REASONS…..LET THEM LIVE AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO AND BE FREE TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH AS WE CO…
Please end hunting!
Anyone who can think of this torture as ‘sport’ is a warped human being and not worthy to tread this earth.
stop the hunting of foxes & rabbits!!!
It’s about TIME!!!!
So cruel!!!! Saw on the news today that the two candidates who are hoping to take over as Prime Minister in England are going to have a public vote again whether to allow fox hunting again!!!! Unbelievable!!!! Hope the people go against it!
If Britain wants to stop barbaric hunting and horse racing, start with their ‘royal family”.
This terror against helpless, gentle animals must be stopped! The terrorists must be punished. Imprison these degenerate brains in jails with very, very bad men, who have to loose nothing, but who love and adore animals….!
Thank you Scotland- I am down on my knees! Thank you so much!
I’m in tears!!!!!!
Why……why do humans feel THE NEED to KILLL and torture these God given beutiful animals
They r not a God to decide which one r wiped out of our lives and our grandchildren lives.
Why do our children have to grow up without the beauty we have enjoyed?
Dogs have been domesticated for 100’s of years now and have proven to be protectors over humans but now humans r killing them or using them to torture poor souls and be ripped viciously apart.
How can any human stand there and watch that and not feel horrible.
I would have to think something is seriously wrong with humans that allow this to happen!!!!!!
And tiring a bear to a pole and setting him on fire??????
Thats a seriously sick minded heel
That’s not even human, no one could be to do that to this AMAZING animal
They all need a stiff jail sentence who does not follow the laws to protect these animals against sick jerks like the one being spoke about
My heart breaks for every single animal who has to indure the torture from mental unstable humans!!!
Please please……let’s be those poor animals voices and STOP THIS TORTURE
Yes!!!! Please put an end to this useless cruel so – called sport!!!! What is fun about killing an innocent animal that also has a right to exist.
Good for you Alison, at least someone has got some guts.
I am glad someone felt that it was cruel and inhumane to hunt foxes. I hope they follow through and ban it in Scotland and wherever else it is done.
Ban all the horses from racing at all racetracks that also includes the meadowlands nj racetrack and Monmouth county nj racetrack and dover downs,Pocono downs in Pennsylvania
Thank you Scotland.
The world is so cruel. Thank you for trying to make it better
Such a cruel, stupid evil sport for deranged people. Good in the lawmakers.
Hunting like this is nonsense, it’s useless, stupid, and cruel.
Alba gg! brathj
Step up snd do something!!!!