Ban it now

Time to end cruel hunts

-  EMILY BEAMENT

CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the government to deliver on its manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting, as hunts gather for the traditional Boxing Day meets.

The practice, in which a scent is laid across the countryside for hounds and riders to follow, is an alternative to banned fox hunting.

While not all hunts break the rules, it is alleged that some use it as a smokescreen for illegal activity.

The League Against Cruel Sports said figures compiled by its intelligence team found that since the beginning of August, 186 foxes were reported being pursued by hunts and there were 220 reports relating to suspected illegal hunting.