Investigators claim illegal fox hunting taking place

Animal rights group calls for tougher hunting laws

An animal rights group has called for tougher laws amid claims that illegal fox hunting is taking place in Fife.

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) says footage taken at a hunt near Pitscottie on Wednesday shows unarmed riders flanking hounds searching through gorse bushes for foxes.

The hunting of wild animals by dogs has been outlawed since 2002 but a legal loophole has allowed the practice to continue if a “target wild animal” is shot after emerging from any cover.

However, investigators from the LACS claim that no weapons were present at last week’s hunt, reportedly conducted by Fife Foxhounds.

One said: “We were in position to observe just as they entered hounds into gorse bushes.

“There were no guns on that side of the hill, where you would expect to see guns in position if the activity was in keeping with the law.

“Hounds go through the gorse for quite some time before someone appears holding a gun.

“We have passed this on to police and officially reported it.

“We believe this is evidence of fox hunting breaking the law.”

The group’s director in Scotland said: “It’s yet another example of a hunt pushing the boundaries of the law and hunting in a manner little different to how they behaved pre-ban.

“Time and time again our investigators are witnessing hounds being used supposedly to flush out a fox to guns, yet there are no guns in sight.

“The law is a complete sham and needs strengthening to make it fit for purpose.”

The Courier attempted to contact Fife Foxhounds yesterday but there had been no response at the time of going to press.

The group’s website says it is “a friendly pack and welcomes both visitors and newcomers to hunting of all riding abilities”.

It adds: “We are totally committed to operating within the law at all times and liaise regularly with the police, the farming community and other local interests on behalf of our many members and supporters.”