The Hunting Act 2004 bans the hunting of wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, except where it is carried out in accordance with the exemptions set out in Schedule 1 to the Act. The full details of the Hunting Act 2004 exemptions are available online at:

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/37/schedule/1



Anyone who believes an offence under the Hunting Act 2004 is taking place, or has taken place, during a hunt, whether it concerns hunting activities or the actions of hunters towards protestors, should report the matter to the police as they are the enforcement authority. Decisions on the arrest and prosecution of those taking part in illegal hunting activities are matters for the police and prosecuting authorities. A person guilty of an offence under the Hunting Act 2004 will receive a fine, but not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Level 5 is currently set at an unlimited fine.



There are also laws in place to protect animal welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal under the control of man. We have announced that we will increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty from the current six months’ imprisonment to 5 years’ imprisonment. As is the situation now, offenders can also be punished with an unlimited fine and be disqualified from having any influence over the way an animal is kept, for anything up to life.



The Prime Minister said on 7 January 2018 that there will not be a vote on fox hunting during this parliament and, as such, the Government has no plans to amend the provisions in the Hunting Act 2004

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs