Award of RESAS/008/22 - Hunting with Dogs Consultation Analysis

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Introduction 4. The Scottish Government recognised concerns about whether the legislation that governs the use of dogs to hunt for mammals in Scotland is working properly. We asked the Right Honourable Lord Bonomy to undertake a review to ascertain whether the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 provided a sufficient level of protection for wild mammals, while at the same time allowing effective and humane control of mammals, such as foxes, where necessary. Background & Context 5. Lord Bonomy’s report was an important milestone and gave a considered, objective and comprehensive examination of the issues. He outlined a significant number of potential improvements for the conduct of operations under the 2002 Act, and to the Act itself. 6. On 9 January 2019, following a consultation on Lord Bonomy's recommendations, that ran from October 2017 to January 2018, the then Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment set out to Parliament proposals for reform, including the implementation of the majority of Lord Bonomy’s recommendations and announced the following further measures: -A new general limit of no more than two dogs to be used to flush foxes or other wild mammals from cover. -Consideration of a licensing scheme permitting more than two dogs to flush foxes or other wild mammals from cover in certain limited circumstances. -Banning the practice known as “trail hunting” as this poses significant risks for wild mammals. 7. This consultation is seeking views on those proposals will be used to inform changes to the law.