Where next for hunting with hounds?
The Campaigning to Protect Hunted Animals, a joint initiative comprising the RSPCA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the League Against Cruel Sports, is jubilant at the introduction of the legislation that completely outlaws hunting with hounds. This is something the groups have jointly campaigned for since 1996. However, it is clear that the matter does not end with the Hunting Act. The main pro-hunting group, The Countryside Alliance, has warned that at least 250 hunts will meet as normal on 19th February 2005, the day after the Hunting Act comes into force in England and Wales. Police chiefs have warned that enforcing the ban, particularly in isolated rural areas, is going to be extremely difficult. There is also the question of when to enforce. Hunters say they will use loopholes to challenge the law. They say they will use ideas such as hunting for rabbits, which is perfectly legal, or claiming that dogs inadvertently went after a fox while they were out drag h
